‘My Daughter Was Punished for Being My Child’ — Bob-Manuel Udokwu Speaks on Celebrity Parenting Struggles

Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has opened up about the challenges his children faced growing up with a famous father, revealing that his daughter was bullied in school because of his celebrity status.

Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Udokwu recounted how senior students targeted his daughter while she was in secondary school, simply because of who her father is.

“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,” he 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,” he added.

The actor explained that he and his wife deliberately chose to raise their children in public schools to ensure they had a normal upbringing, despite his public image. According to him, the decision was also influenced by his own background in public education.

“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,” he said.

Udokwu noted that his academic journey began at St. Peters Primary School in Enugu and continued at Oraukwu Grammar School in Anambra, before he obtained a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt.

He rose to prominence following his role in the iconic 1992 film Living in Bondage, which remains a landmark production in Nollywood.

Beyond acting, Udokwu currently serves as Special Assistant on Entertainment, Tourism and Culture to the Anambra State governor. He is married to Cassandra Joseph, and the couple have two children.