How My Song 'National Moi Moi' Got Me Into Trouble - Mama G

Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwo, popularly known as Mama G, is beloved for her iconic roles in Nigerian movies. However, many young people may not know that before fully diving into acting, she also had a very successful music career that is still well known and beloved by millennials and older especially. During a recent interview with The life unscripted podcast, the legendary actress reflected on her early dreams of becoming a singer and how fate led her to the film industry instead.

During her interview, Patience Ozokwo spoke about how she initially thought she was going to be a singer, surprised to see that movies are where she ended up. Speaking about it, Patience Ozokwo, aka Mama G, said:

PATIENCE OZOKWO: When I was actually small, I thought I was going to sing because I love singing. Yeah, I love singing. I loved being in the choir, so I thought I was going to be a singer, but it turned out to be movies."

Then, the interviewer asked her about the music career she did have, saying: "But then you did sing for a while. You had an album." to which Patience Ozokwo responded saying:

PATIENCE OZOKWO: Yes, I did. I did some Igbo songs and then did National Moi Moi. That one took me around the whole of America—that single song, National Moi Moi. But I'm no longer singing that. I'm singing Christian music now.

But there's nothing wrong with that song. It was just yabbing Nigerians. Our leaders were not doing well, and then we too were not helping ourselves. I said, 'I'll change the whole companies; they'll become breweries so that you can drink and drink'—things like that, yes."*

The Controversy Around "National Moi Moi"

Although National Moi Moi gained popularity, it also stirred controversy, especially among some religious leaders. Speaking about how she got into trouble with some pastors because of the song, Patience Ozokwo revealed:

PATIENCE OZOKWO: Some pastors were not happy with me when I sang it. But when I told them that I was just trying to let people know that you don’t need to wait for the government at all times—sometimes you have to do your own part—they understood me. And then, yabbing the police…"

Then, when asked if she got into trouble with the police for yabbing them in the song too, Patience Ozokwo said:

PATIENCE OZOKWO: No, no, no, no, no, I didn’t. When I meet them on the road, I tell them, 'Share the National Moi Moi!'"

Patience Ozokwo’s journey from aspiring singer to Nollywood superstar is a testament to how life can take unexpected turns. While she never fully pursued a career in music, her brief stint in the industry left a lasting impact, especially with the song and album National Moi Moi, which resonated with many Nigerians.

What do you think about what Patience Ozokwo said? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

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