Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has shared candid details about the hidden challenges his children faced while growing up with a famous father, revealing that his daughter was bullied in school because of his celebrity status.
Speaking in an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, Udokwu reflected on the pressures and inconveniences that often come with public life.
“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.
‘It Was Not Funny’
Udokwu recounted how his daughter, while in Junior Secondary School 1 at Queens College, was targeted by senior students.
“I remember when my daughter was in Queens College, some senior students were just punishing her for just being my daughter,” he revealed.
Though the family now laughs about the experience, he admitted it was painful at the time.
“Today when we talk about it, she will laugh. But it was not funny,” he said.
Why He Chose Public Schools
The actor disclosed that he and his wife deliberately chose to send their children to public schools to give them a grounded upbringing, similar to his own.
“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 explained.
Udokwu’s own educational background includes St. Peters Primary School in Enugu, Oraukwu Grammar School in Anambra, and a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt.
From ‘Living in Bondage’ to Public Service
Udokwu rose to prominence in the 1992 Nollywood classic Living in Bondage, a film widely regarded as a pioneer of modern Nigerian cinema.
Beyond acting, he currently serves as Special Assistant on Entertainment, Tourism and Culture to the Governor of Anambra State.
Married to Cassandra Joseph, Udokwu is a father of two and says family remains his greatest achievement despite the spotlight and its challenges.
His revelations shed light on the often-unseen realities of celebrity parenting where fame can sometimes become a burden for loved ones rather than a privilege.