She is Nigeria’s finest. Loved by Africans and the world at large.
Her impact in the movie industry of Nigeria is the legacy that is bound to outlive her in the years ahead.
Aged 44, Omotola has achieved so much for herself as a Nigerian, actress, singer, philanthropist from Lagos.
Omotola’s acting career kickstarted in 1995 when her Nollywood film debuted in 1995. She has acted in over 300 films and sold millions of copies.
As she celebrates her 44th birthday today, we share with you her biography to bring you up to speed with what Omotola has been to over the last three decades and counting.
Early Life
Omotola Jalade, of Ondo ancestry, was born in Lagos State.
Omotola was raised in a household of five, which included her parents and two younger brothers, Tayo and Bolaji Jalade.
Oluwatoyin Jalade, née Amori Oguntade, worked at J.T Chanrai Nigeria, while her father, Oluwashola Jalade, worked at the YMCA and the Lagos Country Club.
Omotola’s original goal was to work in business management; nevertheless, while waiting for her university results, she began modelling to supplement her income.
Omotola Jalade attended Chrisland School in Opebi from 1981 to 1987, Oxford Children School in Santos Layout in 1987, and Command Secondary School in Kaduna from 1988 to 1993.
She attended Obafemi Awolowo University for a short time before completing her education at Yaba College of Technology, where she studied Estate Management.
Acting
Omotola Jalade was introduced to acting by accompanying a friend to an audition.
Her first acting role was in the 1995 movie Venom of Justice, directed by Reginald Ebere.
Reginald has been cited as launching Omotola’s career.
She was given the lead role in the movie, which set the stage for a flourishing career in the Nollywood film industry.
Omotola Jalade got her first big role in the critically acclaimed film Mortal Inheritance (1995).
Some of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Movies
Lost Kingdom (1999)
Koosorogun (2002)
When Love Dies (2003)
Brave Heart (2005)
Careless Soul (2007)
Yankee Girls (2008)
My Last Ambition (2009)
Ije: The Journey (2010)
Ties That Bind (2011)
Amina (2012)
Hit the Floor (2013)
Blood on the Lagoon (2014)
Alter Ego (2017)
The Island (2017)
The Tribunal (2017)
Music
She also launched a “long-awaited” music career in 2005 with the release of her debut album titled “GBA”.
The album produced the singles “Naija Lowa” and “The Things You Do To Me.” Her unreleased second album – Me, Myself, and Eyes, brought in production from Paul Play and Del B.
It was supported by the songs “Feel Alright”, featuring Harrysong, and “Through the Fire”, featuring Uche.
Reality Show
In 2012, Omotola Jalade launched her own reality show, Omotola: The Real Me, on Africa Magic Entertainment, a M-Net subsidiary broadcast on DStv.
This made Omotola the first Nigerian celebrity to star in her own reality show.
Philanthropy
Omotola Jalade became a United Nations World Food Programme Ambassador in (2005), going to missions in Sierra- Leone and Liberia.
Omotola also supports organisations such as Charles Odii’s SME100 Africa to empower youth and young women in society.
She has been active in the Walk the World project and participated in the Walk the World campaign in Liberia with President Ellen Sir Leaf-Johnson.
Awards and Recognitions
The Best Actress English at The Movie Awards 1997
The Best Actress Overall at The Movie Awards 1997
Best Actress at the City People Awards for Excellence 2004
Best Actress & Grand Achiever at Global Excellence Recognition 2004
Best Individual & Symbol of Creativity at CEON 2004
Most Friendly Actress at Youth Benefactor’s Awards 2006
Best Actress-Africa Collaboration at Ghana Movie Awards 2011
Actress of the Year at Eloy Awards 2012
Pan African Best Actress at Screen Nation Awards 2012
GIAMA Humanitarian Award at Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards 2012
Popular Online Choice at Nollywood Movies Awards 2013
Ebony Vanguard Award at Music Video and Screen Awards 2013
100 Most Influential People in the World by the TIMES Magazine 2013
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic 2014
Female Entertainment Personality at City People Social Media Awards 2016
Best Actress at Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival 2017
Best Actress at Nollywood Travel Film Festival 2017
Most Influential 100 People of African Descent at the United Nation MIPAD 2018
Movie Icon of the Year at City People Movie Awards 2018
Best Actress in Movies/IV Series at Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards 2018
Personal Life
Omotola Jalade married Captain Matthew Ekeinde in 1996.
The couple later held a white ceremony on board a Dash 7 aircraft while flying from Lagos to Benin in 2001, with close family and friends present.
She gave birth to her first daughter on 30 March 1997.
Together, they have four children, Princess, M.J, Meraiah and Michael. She lost her father in 1991.
Net Worth
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s net worth is estimated at $3 million.
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Summary
Full Name: Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Birth Date: 7th of February 1978
Birth Place: Lagos State
Nick Name: OmoSe*y
Religion: Christian
Nationality: Nigerian
Ethnicity: Yoruba
Education: Yaba College of Technology
Age: 44-Years-Old
Height: 1.95M
Hair Colour: Dark
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Marital Status: Married
Children: 4
Profession: Actress / Entrepreneur
Status: Active
SOURCE: GhanaCelebrities.Com