Enugu governor appoints two Nollywood stars as special assistants

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has appointed popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Eucharia Anunobi, as his senior special assistant on women mobilisation for the Enugu North District.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Ms Anunobi’s appointment was announced in a statement issued in September by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia.

The Nollywood actress, who is also a gospel minister, was among 101 new aides appointed to various positions, including special adviser, senior special assistant, and special assistant roles in the state.

Apart from Ms Anunobi, the governor also appointed another Nollywood actress, Rachael Okonkwo, as his senior special assistant on Film and Creative Industry Development.

But Ms Anunobi only announced the appointment in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

“Behold the latest Honourable. Great people of my great nation, Nigeria and the world at large, it is official !!!,” she wrote.

“I am the Senior Special Assistant on women mobilisation, Enugu North Zone to the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.”

Born in Owerri, Imo State, Ms Anunobi rose to prominence in Nollywood during the 1990s, starring in over 90 films before becoming a gospel minister.

The 61-year-old joins the list of Nollywood stars who have been given political appointments in Nigeria.

Nkiru Sylvanus, another Nollywood actress, was appointed special assistant on Lagos State Affairs to the then-Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in July 2011.

In April 2022, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State appointed Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu as his special adviser on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism.