PROFILE: Became pregnant at 13, lost her only daughter… what to know about Nollywood’s Ada Ameh
On Sunday, Ada Ameh joined the list of Nollywood stars who have bowed to the cold hands of death since the dawn of year 2022.
President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, confirmed the death of the film star on Monday.
Ameh, who is from Benue state, was said to have slumped in Warri, Delta, and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in the state where she died.
Her death has continued to elicit intense reactions. In June, Ameh had opened up on her battle with mental illness, and disclosed such prevented her from completing a job given to her by a client.
The 48-year-old was famous for her role as Emu in the popular TV series ‘The Johnsons’.
CRISPNG’s ANINGO GENEVIEVE examines things you probably didn’t know about the late actress.
BIRTH, BECOMING PREGNANT AT 13 AND BRACING THE ODDS
Ameh was born on 15th May, 1974 in Ajegunle axis of Lagos state, precisely at the Naval Barracks on Malu road. This was because her father was a naval officer and mother was a business woman.
She was the 6th of her parents’ 11 children. Ameh had her primary education at Army Children’s School 4 in Ajegunle before she left for Benue to start her secondary education.
The deceased attended Idoma Community Secondary School in Otobi, Benue state and was later transferred to two other schools before she completed her secondary education. They were the Wesley High School in Otukpo, Benue and Adeolu Secondary School in Ajegunle, Lagos.
Ameh experienced a hitch in her education when she became pregnant at the age of 13 and at the same age she lost her mother. After the birth of her only daughter, Aladi Godsgift, at 14, the actress progressed with her secondary education. She further earned a diploma in cosmetology.
The actress had earlier recounted how she was influenced by peers, introduced to early sex, and got pregnant at 13.
“It wasn’t my parents. My peers influenced me. They introduced me to early sex. One thing led to another, and I got pregnant,” she had said.
“I got pregnant in March, and I had my baby in December the same year. That means I got pregnant when I was 13+.”
FORAY INTO ACTING AND BECOMING A NOLLYWOOD STAR
Ada came into Nollywood in 1995 but her debut film, ‘Domitilla’ produced by Zeb Ejiro brought her into limelight in 1996.
In the movie she was named Anita. Another movie which endeared fans to her was her role as Gladys in the comic movie ‘Aki na Ukwa’ in 2003.
In her 27-year stint in the Nollywood, Ada made remarkable appearances in movies such as Phone Swap (2012), A Million Baby (2017), King of Shitta (2013), Ghana Must Go (2016), Blood Money (1997) and others.
Her recent appearance was in the Africa Magic Family drama series where she played as Emu, the wife of Lucky (Charles Inojie) and children to Efe, (Chinedu Ikedieze ) Tari, (Olumide Oworu), Jennifer, (Seun Adebajo) and Susan (Susan Pwajok).
LOSING HER ONLY DAUGHTER AND BATTLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE
On October 2020, Ameh lost Godsgift, her only daughter, after a failed surgery in Abuja. Godsgift was 30 years before she died.
About two years after the death of her daughter, the actress announced she was battling mental health issue.
“I have an issue right now and it’s taking my life, but I won’t die. We would get over it. I was given a job, but I didn’t do it because I have mental health issues,” she had said.
“Would people understand when say you have mental issues? No, they wouldn’t. They are slamming me with a bill, suing me but it’s okay.”
