Omanghana
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Victoria Volta has described working alongside the late Onyeka Onwenu in Ije Awele as an experience that strengthened her commitment to telling stories with social relevance.
Volta, formerly known professionally as Victoria Nwogu, said sharing scenes with the celebrated singer and actress offered lessons that extended beyond performance. Onwenu’s approach, she recalled, demonstrated how an actor could bring sincerity and purpose to difficult subjects.
“There was a depth and sincerity she carried into her work. You could tell she believed in stories having meaning beyond entertainment,” Volta said.
Directed by Emeka Ojukwu, Ije Awele explores abuse, betrayal, family silence and the search for healing. Onwenu played the mother of Volta’s character, contributing to a story centered on painful experiences within a family.
For Volta, the demands of the lead role went beyond learning dialogue. She said portraying trauma required sensitivity to the experiences of people living with similar struggles, particularly those who had been unable to speak openly about them.
The production reinforced her interest in films that encourage conversations about women, children and the social pressures shaping their lives.
That focus was reflected in her recent appearance alongside the film’s production team at the Happy Woman Private Launch, an initiative under Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs. The gathering provided an opportunity to discuss the film’s themes of resilience, healing and the protection of vulnerable people.
According to a statement reported by Punch, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim engaged with the team and encouraged the use of cinema to promote awareness and social change. Volta also emphasized that storytelling becomes more meaningful when it reflects real experiences and gives difficult subjects a public voice.
As she continues her career under the name Victoria Volta, the actress regards her collaboration with Onwenu as an enduring influence on the stories she wants to tell—stories that entertain while creating space for empathy, reflection and difficult conversations.
Source: Omanghana
