WRITTEN BY: COURTNEY OGBE
Writing the story of the Nigerian movie industry, no one can sufficiently narrate its evolution without including the works of Pete Edochie. He is one of the solid foundations that Nollywood was built upon.
Pete Edochie began his career in the broadcasting sector working in a radio station as early as the age of 20 in 1967; he started as a junior program assistant and elevated to the position of director functioning in several directorial capacities.
I must confess that he has been noble from an early age, because he switched careers due to his detestation of the politicization of the affairs of the radio station at the time.
I agree with the saying that “everything happens for a purpose in due time”, the man we now acknowledge both locally and internationally may not have been in the movie industry if not for his discrepancy at his former line of vocation; although, it is indisputable that he indeed has a strong flair for acting. At the age of 15, Pete Edochie appeared on stage for the first time, being a student at St, John’s College, he featured in the drama “Merchant of Venice” by William Shakespeare.
He began his acting journey professionally by featuring in “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe on NTA in the 1980’s; many people still refer to him as ‘Okonkwo’, because of the role he played in this movie that brought him to limelight. Pete Edochie had even won an international award and recognition, and attracted BBC to interview him before he enrolled into Nollywood.
Considering how far back in time this was, he was a pretty fast man, Pete Edochie got married to Josephine Edochie at 22 and their beautiful union is blessed with six children, 5 boys and 1 girl; of which two of his sons are renowned actors in Nollywood, Linc and Yul Edochie.
He is indeed a Legend and has starred in over 100 movies, he would forever be a part of the success story of Nollywood. Pete Edochie now 74, is a strong authority in and outside Nigeria; the Anambra community and the entire nation is proud of his works.
Credit: Wikipedia
