NOLLYWOOD STAR, NICOLETTE NDIGWE, BAGS B.A.

Intro:
On my Facebook page, Aunty Edith, I’ve been doing a series titled,
“CELEBRATING SUPER-JACKSONITES (Graduates of the Mass Communication Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka).” The story you are about to read is one instalment of that series.

NOLLYWOOD STAR, NICOLETTE NDIGWE, BAGS B.A.
(Lessons from her life on campus)

The Super-Jacksonite I am focussing on today is fresh from the oven, having formally received her B.A. in Mass Communication only ten days ago at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) convocation ceremony. Her name is Nicolette Ndigwe and she cuts the image of a movie industry starlet when she’s all dolled up: big bosom, stunning good looks, a great sense of style and vivacity. But Nicole, as we call her here, is far from a wannabe actor who’s looking for a way to get a foot in the door in Nollywood.

She’s already an accomplished actor, screenwriter and has started making an inroad into the rarified class of movie directors. She has a string of movie credits and awards to show for this. But you would never believe all these if you encountered her on campus. Nicole is excellent at compartmentalising her life. Thus, she remained grounded as a student, not putting on airs or slacking in her studies. She was friendly to other students, was a constant in my classes and when she didn’t get very high grades, she wanted to know what she was doing wrong.

Some young people grow extremely arrogant when they taste a little success. Not Nicole. She seemed to value the knowledge she could gain from UNN and was passionate about doing well. I recall one occasion when after her best efforts, which I happened to be privy to, she scored a “C” in a course. Perhaps, her submission which centred on her movie roles appeared fabulous to the examiner who may not have been aware of her acting career. But the point is Nicole wept and wept. And she made representations to have the grade corrected to no avail.

What am I saying? It is a mark of those who would distinguish themselves in their chosen path to strive to be the best wherever they are. That pursuit of excellence, that doggedness and giving whatever you’re doing your all makes a difference between those who will become mediocre and those who will shine in their life’s work. I saw the same determination not to do a sloppy, unoriginal job when Nicole attacked her final-year research project. No wonder she earned a 2:1 in the end.

I can’t resist the temptation to share a hilarious episode from one of our writing classes. We were discussing the topics the students were to write on and Nicole was in her element, contributing and regaling us with relevant tales from her overseas trips and other experiences to the chagrin of some of the students. Their attitude was, “Enough already! You’re not the only one in class.” But mine was, “If you choose to be reticent, don’t begrudge others the pleasure of speaking out.” It was my punishment to them for the day: to endure what they considered Nicole’s garrulity.

Nicole started writing at age 8 when she had yet to learn the spellings of many words. To date, she has written 30 screenplays, five of which have been shot. They include Damage, which won numerous awards including Best Film – NAFCA, Best Film – BON and Best Screenplay with Message – BON; Impassioned and Beautiful Disasters. In May last year, she won a stiff contest to represent Nigeria with four others at the British Council Script Junction during the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), Scotland. She is also billed to attend the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in November under the same platform.

She has had roles in many movies and series such as Damage, Kidnapoed, Catwalq, Tinsel and Star Secret. Sundown Tale, a short film on sicke cell heralded her directorial debut and she is currently working on a self-written and directed docudrama on malaria and child mortality titled Anave. Nicole also composes poetry and wise sayings.

If you are still wondering who I’m talking about, enjoy the accompanying pictures. I’m confident we’ll keep hearing good things of Nicole in the years to come.

Ⓒ Edith Ugochi Ohaja 2016

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36 comments

  • chinyere Godwin

    I knew her for a short while. She is a close friend of a friend! Said Hy to her on several occasions. Admired her from a distance. Am grateful to God for Nicole n am proud of her. An happy I met her, even if for a while cos she was a year ahead. So proud of Nicole. God be with you girl…

  • Egwuonwu Priscilla

    wow, good one. very inspiring

  • DIM CHIKODIRI VIVIAN

    An amazing story

  • okereke chukwuemeka matthew

    wow such a nice story

  • ISRAEL CHINWE GOODNESS

    A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT

  • Oweka Chioma Sandra

    Congrats to her

  • Jeremiah Chioma

    inspiring!

  • maduebo ifunanya blessing

    Congrats nicole

  • Okwor Donald Chidubem

    Mummy your blog is the best

  • Ahaotu Ikenna Henry

    Cool. Very inspirational. Congratulations, sister. More grace to you in Jesus name. Thanks Aunty for your great works. I must say that you are touching lives with your blog

  • Congrats to her. She is an inspiration not just to me but I believe to every young Jacksonite in UNN. I am proud of my department

  • Victoria Nonike

    shine on super lioness. the sky is your stepping stone!

  • Ezeme Evans Ejike

    More grace to you Aunty and for the great works you are doing. More power to Nicolette, I pray she soars to even more greater heights.

  • Joseph Edidiong

    Hmm. Very encouraging. A man’s gifts would always make way for him.

  • DIM CHIKODIRI VIVIAN

    Even though I don’t no her in person, I already like her. From the picture she’s very pretty and as well intelligent. Thank God she achieved her dream and I pray that GOD give all of us the grace to discover who we are and the steps to follow in order to achieve that. MA, you are a good writer as well.

  • Eze emmanuel friday

    She is a beautiful woman. Thank God she was able to achieve her dream. Hard work pays and she did not do it on her own it is by the grace of God.

  • Agwu Tochukwu Frank

    Congratulations to the young lady.
    It is not easy to combine acting with academics and yet came out successfully.
    Glory be to God who saw her through.
    Nicole has done a noble deed
    She has put a challenge on us ” students ” you can combine academics with something else, yet, come out outstanding only if you are determined.

    God bless you ma.

  • Ogbu Nkiruka Gloria

    Wow all this potentials and fame but she was still humble while in school.Keep growing in success great jacksonite,we love you dear.

  • Ndieze Kelechi

    The Jacksonite family have produced so many great minds . Congratulations to you.Keep pushing .Never Give Up

  • Anabude oluchi m.

    Wow indeed she is good in what she does and most importantly humility takes the humble to the top and takes down the proud. Nicole is an inspiration to me most especially because I believe in hardwork and whatever we find ourselves we should strive to the best and not just average

  • Eze Blessing Sopuruchukwu

    Congratulations to Nicolette.this is an inspirational story to me and also to other upcoming/young Jacksonites.

  • Oba Cindy Biobele

    I’m so proud of the Jacksonite family to which I belong. A very inspiring story that shows the values of hard work.

  • ONUOHA PROSPER

    every where we step our foot we make immediate impact.our youth should strive ,work hard to make impact when we finally leave school.let the world see the lion in us

  • ASOGWA CHIBUZOR HENRY

    A YOUTH MARKED BY EXCELLENCE,AT SUCH AGE SHE BEGAN TO SHOW HERSELF ,WE JACKSONITE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A FORCE TO RECKON WITH.

  • CHINEGWU OBINNA GODWILL

    A soul who is ever ready,diligent,humble and devoted shall stand with personalities greater than kings.we jacksonite must expose and advertise ourselves to the world.by defining not only information but all facets and ramification of life.

  • People like Nicole makes me a proud lioness. I am motivated by her story. She strived in Mass Communication eve though she had talent in some other things. I really wish her the best of luck and pray somebody writes about me tomorrow.

  • The quest for excellence is an attribute of Nicolette that i have been able to grasp from this story, she is indeed a high achiever and one of the good definitions of a jacksonite. Keep the flag flying.

  • Bryan Casey

    Never knew this post was here .This is a very motivating story ..

  • Ogbozor Chiamaka Zillah

    Wow! am now proud of my school University of Nigeria Nsukka, since Nicole was able to make it in life, why wont I strive harder to do more than her, interesting post.

  • Theophilus Blessing

    Wow! I never knew about this, congratulations Nicole, the Lord is your elbow. So you are also a recent product of my alma mater! And come to think of it, why are most mass communication graduates actors & actresses in this country? Well it’s nice, I rep my department.?

  • Woow… This is great
    Am so happy for her, this is the least of many more prominent graduates mass communication department will produce in the nearest future and I for one is sure going to be one of them by the Lords Grace (Amen)

  • Oleighibe Oluebube Tessy

    This is nice Ma. I can’t help to reread this story, she is really talented and blessed. I hope God grants me favour too, because her story is almost like my dream, I really want to be a great scriptwriter. May she continue to excel in all of her endeavours. Amen.

  • Jacenta ossai.

    I am so proud to be a jacksonite,What an inspiring tale!!

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