What did you know about the veteran actor, Alex Usifo Omiagbo? Did you know that he could have been a Catholic priest? Did you know that he is Ph.D holder?
Alex Usifo Omiagbo is a popular veteran Nigerian actor who made waves in the theatre industry, long before the advent if Nollywood.
But not quite many people, especially the younger generation of movie addicts, will remember him as one of the most popular faces on the television screen.
Alex Usifo, age 69, was born on 16 April 1953 in Lagos, to Barnabas and Patricia Anobi Omiagbo. His father worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and rose to managerial level.
The family moved to Ibadan where Alex had his basic/primary education. Soon after, the civil war moved him to Edo State where he completed his secondary education at St. John Bosco’s Grammar School, Ubiaja.
Alex Usifo earned his first degree in English at the Ambrose-Ali University, Ekpoma with a 2nd-Class Upper. He had his Master’s Degree at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
The veteran actor was at the Babcock University, Illishan Remo, Ogun State where he bagged a Ph.D in Information Resources Management in 2016.
During his period at Babcock University, he was elected the president of the outgoing Post-Graduate students in 2016- the year he graduated.
Alex Usifo originally wanted to become a Catholic priest, but he changed his mind and left the Seminary.
He met his wife, Princess, 10 years after in 1990, and they got married in 1993. They are blessed with four great children: Sarah, Isaac, David and Osedebame.
His acting career kicked off in 1984 when he played a major role in the tele-movie, The Return of the Native.
Alex Usifo took lead roles in Natas and ‘Two People. He started attending NTA, Victoria Island to take part in the weekly series, At Your Service.
He was part of NTA productions- Echoes of Life, and Turning Wheel- between 1984 and 1987.
Recognition came in 1988 when he starred in Zeb Ejiro’s soap opera, Ripples where he portrayed Talaab Abass.
The show broke ground in television because few soap operas existed.
Talaab Abass was a villain. Alex Usifo interpreted the character with bulging eyes and a baritone voice.
Usifo made a name for himself long before Nollywood came into existence. He participated in stage plays, including Awero, staged at the National Theatre, Iganmu.
Alex Usifo appeared in Ola Rotimi’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again!. He also staged at the National Theatre. He featured in radio and films.
Alex Usifo is a member of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria; Directors’ Guild of Nigeria and recently, Association of Movie Producers.
•Source: #africaworldnewsinternational page on Facebook.
