Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has revealed that his celebrity status created challenges for his children growing up, including moments when his daughter was targeted at school because of him.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, shared on Instagram on Saturday, the 58-year-old actor recounted how his daughter faced unfair treatment while in Junior Secondary School 1 at Queens College. Senior students allegedly singled her out for punishment simply because she was Udokwu’s child—a situation he described as painful, though his daughter now looks back and laughs.
“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.”
Udokwu added that he and his wife purposely chose public schools for their children to give them a more normal upbringing and reduce distractions tied to his public profile. He explained that this choice was partly inspired by his own school experience.
“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 noted.
The actor’s educational journey began at St. Peters Primary School in Enugu, continued at Oraukwu Grammar School in Anambra, and culminated in a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of Port-Harcourt in Rivers State.
Udokwu became a household name after starring in the 1992 classic Living in Bondage, a film widely regarded as a cornerstone of Nollywood. He currently serves as Special Assistant on Entertainment, Tourism and Culture to the governor of Anambra State.
He is married to Cassandra Joseph, and together they have two children.
