Theodora Ibekwe Oyebade

UK Nollywood Superstar and Producer of the highly successful move - Shameful Deceit, Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade, has been honoured with a BEFFTA Rising Star Award. Born and raised in Edo State, Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade originally hails from Owerri in Imo State, Nigeria. Considered a child prodigy by her primary tutors, Theodora's parents wanted her to pursue education as far as she could take it. This led to a certificate in Education at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State and later on she studied Accounting at the University of Lagos. Even though she excelled in academics, Theodora also greatly admired entertainers and all things entertainment. After her University education, she decided to move to the UK in order to seek out other opportunities. The multi-award winner and who regularly graces the cover of UK-African magazines, she founded the Miss Elegant international a beauty pageant in 2009. This really propelled her into the limelight and a few years later, she took the pageant one step further with the Miss Elegant international TV show. The TV show aired on the only African TV station at the time; BEN TV. Through this medium, she became a well-known promoter in the African-UK entertainment industry. An avid entrepreneur at heart, she then became a Director with Starlywood, which is competition-based talent show, which is aimed at discovering young Black talent in the UK. With offers pouring in from African celebrities like Clarion Chukwurah, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, John Utaka, Fatima Jabbe, Ken Smart, Pauline Long, Dayo Olomu etc for her to promote and consult on their entertainment projects, Theodora then created Theodora PR, a media and consultancy PR firm for Black talent in the diaspora. A chance encounter as a stand-in MC at an event introduced her to George Kelly Toghanro. Incidentally, George was casting for a new movie with Nollywood star Jim Iyke, and was so impressed by her performance that he offered her the lead role. This led to her big break in movies. She then went on to star in other movies and last February 2013, took on her first role as a producer for the drama Shameful Deceit. Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade recently tied the knot and the budding entrepreneur continues to create opportunities for herself in the UK-African entertainment industry. Achievements She has supported and helped raise funds for various charities and has received 15 awards. She has also spearheaded many events including pageants and movie premieres. Recently, she was made the Face of ZAFAA (African Film Academy Awards) 2013-14.