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Stephanie Okereke Linus
Sokereke.jpg
Born
Stephanie Onyekachi Okereke

(1982-10-02) 2 October 1982 (age 42)
Ngor Okpala, Imo, Nigeria
Nationality Nigerian
Alma mater University of Calabar,
New York Film Academy
Occupation Actress, Director, Model
Spouse(s) Linus Idahosa (m. 2012)
Children 2
Awards 2005 1st Africa Movie Academy Awards

Stephanie Okereke Linus is a famous Nigerian actress, film director, and model. She was born on October 2, 1982, as Stephanie Onyekachi Okereke. She has won many awards for her acting and directing. These include the Reel Award for Best Actress in 2003 and the Afro Hollywood Award for Best Actress in 2006. She was also a runner-up in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest in 2002. In 2011, the Nigerian government gave her a special national honor called Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). Stephanie is also a talented scriptwriter and producer.

Early Life and School

Stephanie Okereke was born in a place called Ngor Okpala, in Imo State, Nigeria. She is one of eight children, and her parents are Mary and Chima Okereke. She went to primary and secondary school in Delta State. Later, she studied at the University of Calabar in Cross River State. She earned a degree in English and Literary Studies there.

Her Amazing Career

Stephanie started acting when she was still a teenager in 1997. Her first movies were Compromise 2 and Waterloo. In 2002, she took part in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant and came in third place.

A year later, in 2003, Stephanie won two big awards at the Reel Awards. She was named 'Best Actress - English' and 'Best Actress of the year 2003'. After studying at the New York Film Academy in 2007, she created her own movie called Through the Glass. For this film, she was the director, scriptwriter, producer, and actress! The movie was even nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award in 2009.

In 2014, Stephanie released another important movie called Dry. Again, she did many jobs for this film: director, scriptwriter, producer, and actress. Dry won many awards, including Best Overall Movie at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards and the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards. Stephanie has acted in over 90 movies throughout her career.

From 2017 to 2020, Stephanie was a Regional Ambassador for the UNFPA. This organization works to improve health and equality around the world. In March 2021, she produced two short films to speak out against violence towards women. These films were called The Student and Bad Police. In 2024, she received a special award for her work in medicine from Thomas Jefferson University.

Her Personal Life

In April 2005, Stephanie was in a serious car accident. She was on her way to an awards ceremony in Nigeria. The accident left her with burns and a broken leg, but she recovered.

In April 2012, Stephanie married Linus Idahosa in a beautiful private ceremony in Paris, France. Many of her family and friends from the Nigerian film industry were there. They welcomed their first son, Maxwell Enosata Linus, in October 2015. Their second son was born in May 2022. Stephanie and her husband celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on April 19, 2025.

Awards and Recognitions

Stephanie Okereke Linus has received many awards and nominations for her work in film. Some of her notable awards include:

  • 2003: What a Year Awards - Best Actress
  • 2003: Reel Awards - Best Actress - English and Best Actress of the Year
  • 2004: Afro-Dublin Awards - Outstanding Actress
  • 2006: Afro Hollywood Award - Best Actress
  • 2013: Montage Africa Women of Excellence Awards - Achievement in Drama and Entertainment
  • 2015: Bentonville Film Festival - Best Protagonist for Dry
  • 2015: ZAFAA Global Awards - Best Actress, Best Film, Best Producer, and Best Director for Dry
  • 2016: 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards - Best Nigerian Film for Dry
  • 2016: Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards - Best Overall Movie (Africa) for Dry
  • 2016: Pan African Film Festival - Programmers' Award Narrative Feature for Dry
  • 2016: Nafca - Best Actress In Leading Role and Best Overall Movie for Dry
  • 2016: DALA awards - Face of Nollywood (Female)
  • 2017: Truth Awards - Best Supporting Actress for Boonville Redemption

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stephanie Okereke Linus para niños

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