Chinedu Ikedieze
Chinedu Ikedieze | |
|---|---|
 Ikedieze at the 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards | |
| Born | 12 December 1977 Iluoma Uzuakoli, Bende, Abia State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Aki |
| Alma mater | New York Film Academy Institute of Management and Technology |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Aki na Ukwa |
| Spouse | Nneoma Ikedieze (m. 2011) |
Chinedu Ikedieze// ⓘ, MFR[1][2] (born 12 December 1977) is a Nigerian actor,[3][4] entrepreneur and investor. He is best known for playing alongside Osita Iheme in the 2002 film Aki na Ukwa.[5] He has featured in over 150 films in a career spanning over 22 years. He has acted in the role of a kid in most of his films during his early career due to his stature and physical appearance. He is known as Aki for his performance in the film Aki na Ukwa. In 2011, he married fashion designer Nneoma Nwaijah and the couple had their first child in 2012.[6] They have 2 daughters and a son.[7]
Education
[edit]Chinedu completed his primary and secondary education in Aba, Abia State. After completing his secondary education he earned a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Theatre Arts and a degree in Mass Communication from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu (IMT).[8][9] After completing his studies at IMT, he initially wanted to become a lawyer but pursued a career in film acting in 1998 and initially featured in lesser roles.[10] He first acted in a minor role in the 1998 film Evil Men. He enrolled in the prestigious New York Film Academy in 2004.[11]
Collaboration with Osita Iheme
[edit]
He entered the Nollywood industry in 2000 and rose to recognition in a Nigerian film he acted in 2000, Aki na Ukwa, where he played the breakthrough role of Aki alongside another little person actor Osita Iheme.[12] This created a bond between both of them. The duo were popularly identified as "Aki and Paw Paw" since the release of the film in 2002 and ever since they have both featured together in several films taking the lead roles in those movies. Both Chinedu and Osita have been maintaining onscreen and offscreen chemistry which is widely praised by the Nollywood fraternity.[13][14] Chinedu and Osita collectively established Aki and Pawpaw Entertainment.[15] They also own the Aki n Paw Child Care Foundation.[16]
Honours
[edit]In 2007, Ikedieze received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.[17] He was also honored with the Order of the Federal Republic which was given by the then Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for his contributions to Nollywood and to the economic growth of the country.[18]
In 2018, he was honored in Miami, Florida in the United States of America as a distinguished visitor to the city of Miami, Florida.[19] In appreciation he said “From the bottom of my heart I say thank you to Miami-Dade, country office of the Mayor and the county commissioners for honoring me as a distinguished visitor to the city of Miami, Florida. You have just given me a key to more success in life. He therefore encouraged all to believe if themselves if the world believes in them.[20]
Legacy
[edit]His performance alongside fellow little person actor Osita Iheme in the 2002 film Aki na Ukwa is still widely spoken of and the duo especially Osita's character has been trending through memes since 2019 in Twitter and other social media platforms globally. Osita is listed as one of the richest actors in Nigeria.[21][22][23][24] Chinedu praises Kasvid the late film producer for investing in him and Osita.[25]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Aki na ukwa | Aki | with Osita Iheme |
| Spanner: The Humble Servant | Spanner | with Nkem Owoh | |
| Okwu na uka | with Osita Iheme & Patience Ozokwor | ||
| Aka Gum | Chisom | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2003 | The Tom and Jerry | Tom | with Osita Iheme |
| The Catechist | with John Okafor | ||
| Show Bobo: The American Boys | Kizzito | with Osita Iheme | |
| School Dropouts | Ikenna | with Osita Iheme | |
| Pipiro | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Onunaeyi: Seeds of Bondage | with Pete Edochie, Osita Iheme, Patience Ozokwor & Clem Ohameze | ||
| Lagos Boys | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Family Crisis | |||
| Charge & Bail | Uzodinma | with Osita Iheme | |
| Back from America | with Rita Dominic | ||
| I'm in Love | Gabriel | with Osita Iheme | |
| Local Champion | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Akpu-Nku | |||
| 2 Rats | with Osita Iheme, Patience Ozokwor and Amaechi Muonagor | ||
| Nwa Teacher | Jaja | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2004 | Across the Niger | with Pete Edochie, Kanayo O. Kanayo & Ramsey Nouah | |
| Big Daddies | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Igbo Made | Doctor Micah | ||
| Not by Height | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Spanner Goes to Jail | Spanner | with Nkem Owoh | |
| Spanner in Battle of Supremacy | Spanner | with Nkem Owoh | |
| Sunday School Children | with Osita Iheme | ||
| 2005 | Village Boys | with Osita Iheme | |
| Spoiler | Peter | with Osita Iheme | |
| Secret Adventure | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Reggae Boys | with Osita Iheme | ||
| One Good Turn | with Osita Iheme | ||
| I Think Twice | Ike | with Osita Iheme | |
| Final World Cup | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Colours of Emotion | Ebony | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2006 | African Tallest Men | with Osita Iheme | |
| Young Masters | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Winning Your Love | with Osita Iheme & Patience Ozokwor | ||
| 'U' General | with Osita Iheme & Patience Ozokwor | ||
| Sweet Money | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Royal Messengers | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Magic Cap | Aba | with Osita Iheme | |
| Last Challenge | with Kanayo O. Kanayo & Osita Iheme | ||
| Kadura | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Jadon | Jack | with Osita Iheme | |
| Games Men Play | with Chioma Chukwuka, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye & Jim Iyke | ||
| Criminal Law | Hippo | with Osita Iheme | |
| Brain Masters | Chima | with Osita Iheme | |
| Brain Box | with Osita Iheme, Kanayo O. Kanayo & Sam Loco Efe | ||
| Boys from Holland | Lincoln | with Osita Iheme | |
| Blessed Son | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Cat & Rat | Ogbu | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2007 | Thunder Storm | with Osita Iheme | |
| Stubborn Flies | Angel | with Osita Iheme | |
| Spirit of a Prophet | with Osita Iheme & Clem Ohameze | ||
| Powerful Civilian | Richie | with Osita Iheme & Victor Osuagwu | |
| Power as of Old | Katanga | with Osita Iheme & Clem Ohameze | |
| Escape to Destiny | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Cain & Abel | with Osita Iheme | ||
| Village Destroyers | Azu | with Osita Iheme and Kenneth Okonkwo | |
| 2008 | Daddy Must Obey | Aki | with Osita Iheme |
| Intelligent Students | Pererer | with Osita Iheme and Sam Loco Efe | |
| Markus D Millionaire | with Osita Iheme | ||
| 2009 | Onye Obioma | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2010 | Loyal Enemies | Shedrack | with Osita Iheme and Van Vicker |
| 2011 | Ben Ten | with Osita Iheme | |
| Love for the Kids | followed by Another Love; with Osita Iheme | ||
| Another Love | sequel to Love for the Kids; with Osita Iheme | ||
| Yellow Sisi | with Osita Iheme | ||
| 2012 | Village Rascals | Aki | with Osita Iheme |
| 2013 | The Fighter | with Osita Iheme and Funke Akindele | |
| Terrible Twos | with Osita Iheme | ||
| 2015 | Two Sons of Ali | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2015 | The First Lady | Small Kenechi | With Omoni Oboli, Alexx Ekubo, Joseph Benjamin |
| 2016 | The Twin Sisters | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2018 | Too Much Money | with Osita Iheme | |
| 2018 | Lara and the Beat | Big Chi | With Ademola Adedoyin, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Kemi Lala Akindoju |
| 2020 | Dear Affy | Street Child | With Toyin Abraham, Seilat Adebowale, Bimbo Ademoye |
| 2021 | Aki and Pawpaw | Aki | with Osita Iheme |
| unknown | House Boys for Sale[26] | with Patience Ozokwor and Osita Iheme | |
| 2021 | The Ghost and the Tout Too | Chief Aki | With Ayomide Abayode, Anthony Abraham, Alexander Abolore |
| 2022 | Palava! | Big T | With Mercy Aigbe, Bisola Aiyeola, Neo Akpofure |
| 2023 | Love Me for Me | Raymond | with Amaechi Anaekwe, Grace Anga |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actor In A Comedy Drama, Movie Or TV Series | Aki & PawPaw | Nominated | [27][28] |
Television
[edit]- The Johnsons as Efetobore Johnson, produced by Rogers Ofime
References
[edit]- ^ Njoku, Ben (23 July 2010). "Stakeholders hail Aki's MFR award, plead for Paw-paw". The Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria: Vanguard Media. Retrieved 7 September 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Aki Without Pawpaw". AllAfrica.com. AllAfrica Global Media. 6 August 2010. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Chinedu Ikedieze, Biography". mobile.ghanaweb.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "I love basketball but my height won't let me play — Chinedu Ikedieze". Punch Newspapers. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ Katende, Jude (27 January 2008). "Nigeria's funny little men come to Kampala". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda: New Vision Printing & Publishing Company Limited. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Chinedu Ikedieze is a year older". Pulse Nigeria. 12 December 2015. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ Osadebe, Precious (16 July 2024). "You've blessed me with 3 kids - chinedu Ikedieze to wife on birthday". Vanguard.
- ^ Bankole, Evelyn (14 December 2020). "Chinedu Ikedieze biography: His age, spouse, career, net worth". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "Chinedu Ikedieze". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "'God, thank you for a perfect creation' - Chinedu Ikedieze celebrates 42nd birthday". TheCable Lifestyle. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Chinedu Ikedieze". Africa Magic - Chinedu Ikedieze. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ Augoye, Jayne (11 August 2018). "Nigeria: How My Height Made Me a Superstar - Chinedu Ikedieze, Aka Aki". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2024 – via allAfrica.
- ^ "Chinedu Ikedieze writes to Osita Iheme as he turns 38". OYO Gist. 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Read why actor and Chinedu Ikedieze are friendship goals!". Pulse. 3 October 2018. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ Njoku, Benjamin (18 August 2019). "The making of Aki and Pawpaw". Vanguard.
- ^ Njoku, Benjamin (18 August 2019). "The making of Aki and Pawpaw". Vanguard.
- ^ Coker, Onikepo (4 May 2007). "Africa Celebrates Film Industry at AMAA 2007". Mshale Newspaper. Minneapolis, USA: Mshale Communications. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Chinedu Ikedieze: Building Legacy Projects, Touching Lives - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "Nollywood actor Aki honored in Miami, Florida". Vanguard Newspaper. 10 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ "Nollywood actor Aki honored in Miami, Florida". Vanguard News. 10 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ Mbamalu, Socrates (10 July 2019). "Is Osita Iheme's meme used by Fenty Beauty and 50 Cent a win for Nollywood?". This is Africa. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Why dis Osita Iheme meme dey burst pipo brain?". BBC News Pidgin. 2 July 2019. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ Adikwu, Marris (14 August 2019). "The Nigerian Film Stars Behind Some of Twitter's Greatest Memes". Vulture. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Who is the Richest Actor in Nigeria – (TOP 15 ACTORS AND NET WORTH)". Grabalets. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
- ^ Njoku, Benjamin (18 August 2019). "The making of Aki and Pawpaw". Vanguard.
- ^ "House Boys for Sale". WorldCat. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees". AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees. Retrieved 23 April 2023.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Tobi Bakre clinches Best Actor at AMVCA 2023 for 'Brotherhood'". Vanguard. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- Male actors from Abia State
- Nigerian male film actors
- Igbo male actors
- Nigerian male comedians
- Living people
- 1977 births
- Male actors with dwarfism
- 21st-century Nigerian male actors
- Lifetime Achievement Award Africa Movie Academy Award winners
- Members of the Order of the Federal Republic
- Actors from Abia State
- Nigerian film producers
- Nigerian businesspeople
- New York Film Academy alumni
- Nigerian television actors
- Nigerian comedians