Actress Stella Damasus has disclosed that her family’s original surname, Ojukwu, was changed to Damasus during the Nigerian Civil War to shield them from attacks.
In an interview with media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Stella explained that her family faced threats in Asaba due to assumptions they were related to the late Biafran warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
“Damasus is my grandfather’s first name. It’s a Greek name. My original surname was Ojukwu, but that changed during the Biafran war when my people were attacked in Asaba because they thought it was the same Ojukwu.
“I was born into Damasus, and when I asked why, that was the reason they gave me,” Stella revealed.
Renowned for her emotive acting and versatility, Stella has starred in numerous hits like Games Women Play and Widows, cementing her place as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated talents.
