Bob-Manuel Udokwu reveals his daughter was bullied at school because of his fame, describing the painful impact of celebrity on his family
Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has revealed that his children faced challenges growing up because of his celebrity status, recounting how his daughter was bullied at school simply for being his child.
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Speaking in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, shared on Instagram on Saturday, the 58-year-old actor said the incident occurred while his daughter was a Junior Secondary School 1 pupil at Queens College.
According to Bob-Manuel Udokwu, senior students repeatedly singled out his daughter for punishment because of his public profile.
The actor described the experience as deeply painful at the time, although his daughter now laughs about it.
“I have a good family. My kids are grown now. Being born and seeing your father is popular. And growing with all the inconveniences and all that,” the actor said.
“I remember when my daughter was in Queens College, some senior students were just punishing her for just being my daughter.“Today when we talk about it, she will laugh. But it was not funny. She was in JSS 1.”
Bob-Manuel Udokwu explained that he and his wife, Cassandra Joseph, deliberately chose to raise their children in public schools to ensure they experienced what he described as a normal upbringing, away from the distortions that can accompany fame.
“And I did not want to be in their face so that I do not distract them. We agreed they were going to go to public school, because I also attended public schools,” the actor said.
Bob-Manuel Udokwu’s own education began at St. Peters Primary School in Enugu and continued at Oraukwu Grammar School in Anambra State.
The actor later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt.
The actor rose to prominence after starring in the 1992 classic Living in Bondage, widely regarded as one of the foundational productions of Nollywood and a defining moment in Nigeria’s film industry.
Beyond acting, Bob-Manuel Udokwu currently serves as Special Assistant on Entertainment, Tourism and Culture to the Governor of Anambra State, combining public service with a career that has spanned more than three decades.
While reflecting on the pressures that accompany public life, the actor maintained that family stability remained his anchor.
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The episode, he suggested, underscored the hidden cost of fame and the resilience required of those closest to it.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
