Name: Racheal Tabuno Oniga

Name: Racheal Tabuno Oniga

Address - Okota, Lagos State.

Date Of Birth: 23-05-57

Marital Status: Separated

State Of Origin: Delta State, Agbon Local Government, Eku

Languages Spoken: English, Yoruba, Urohobo.



Educational Background- Primary Princess Girls School Lagos, SEC - Our lady of lords grammar school ,Uromi Edo state. Rimax inst for computer studies.

Tell us about yourself

I grew up and was born in Lagos to Mr &Mrs Ubogun. I am Urhobo from Delta State. I enjoyed my youth age to the fullest and a real "tom-boy". I loved singing and dancing as a child and wished to be in the entertainment industry. I have an elder sister Mrs Elizabeth Ahmiegbe, my younger ones are Mr Dafe Ubogun and Mrs Toyin Odusote.

What was the first paying job ever that you had?

A Computer Programmer and also as an assistant to the director of an engineering Dutch firm.

How much were you paid per month and what were the responsibilities?

I was paid N23,500 - that was in 1982. My responsibilities were *preparing programs for salaries, *keeping important documents of the company and *seeing to the immigration documents of overseas staff coming into Nigeria.

What other jobs do u do outside Acting? NONE!

What made u go into the acting career and when did u start Acting (year)?

I started acting in 1993 immediately I separated from my husband.

Who were idols/Models (Actors) in those days and what was your first role in Theatre, TV or Movies?

Layi Ashadele and most Village head master cast. They were brilliant. As per my first role, I acted as Onome`s Mother a boli seller (roasted plantain seller), whose husband after collecting his pension money left and 4 kids. I was the mother of the star of the movie, so it was titled ONOME.

What were the constraints you had to face and overcome as an up-and-coming actor?

I knew I started late and needed to learn fast and be hard working.

How many films have you been involved with as an actor to date?

Over 150. Too many to list. Choice ones include Onome, True or False, Sango, Oduduwa, Prisoner of love, Bibi`re, Eleyele, Day Break, Yesterday, Blood-hunt South African all white crew and many more

What is the most awkward or strangest role you have had to take/play in your career and why?

Role of a mad woman in a Lancelot Immasuen movie, … I can`t remember the title just yet. Strangest in the sense that the character was a mad woman loved by all and thinks she is the most beautiful lady in the town. I personally designed the character so that it was different from all other mad people played in all our movies.

What film have you been most proud to be involved with so far, and why?

Oduduwa because I also put myself in the character since it was not stated or known characterization for "Olokun". I just used the mood of the ocean and its beauty and the fact that Olokun is said to be wealthy a queen of the ocean.

How important are our Nigerian roots, morals, values, knowledge and sense of wisdom to wisdom to you and yours works?

We must learn to speak like African act as one and not like whites because we cannot be them, we should be proud of our Roots.





On the stories, scripts or screen play of our films, and its impact on the Nigerian/African cultural values (home and abroad), how do you manage to harness, keep and pass them across your films?

True or false really changed a lot of lives and amended up broken homes because of childlessness. And that there is nothing like "Abiku". But before marriage people should check their Rheasus factor.

As a Producer, Director and filmmaker also, how is this different for you from Acting and what is the additional drive for you?

Its more difficult because you have to see the movie to the market. You want a movie that is the talk of the town.

What projects are you working on at the moment and with whom and where do you see yourself and Nollywood in this career in the next five years?

I am presently working on three Yoruba movies the script are ready but I need sponsors because all my movies are not wishy-washy. In the next five years, I hope to be right at the top and flying higher and hoping to work with Hollywood stars. For Nollywood, If the industry is not sanitized it may drop.

When you are not working how do you pass the time?

I like to swim ,read and club. I also listen to Country side music, R&B, Hip-hop, Jazz. I love Kenny Rogers.

Is there an International Actor (American, British, Australian, African etc.) you will want to work with if the opportunity presented itself?

Yeah sure! I'd love to work with Whoppi Goldberg, Denzel Washinton, Demi moore.

What message do u have for your international fans in America, UK, Europe, Africa and its Diaspora?

To reach the Nigerian actors and work with them, work with them and work with them. For we are good if given the chance.

How would you personally want your fans to remember you?

As a mother and great actor with children. I love our fans for loving our jobs. To all my fans keep watching any movie with Rachel Oniga you will always get something new. For i am a versatile actor and not a stuck one.

Filmography: Passion of Mind, Power Of Sin, Restless Mind, Revelation, Tears, The Hair Dresser, The Senator, Thorns Of Love, The Holy Man, True Or False, Unconditional love, What I want, Widow's Tears, Yesterday, A date with the Queen, African Child, Agony of A Mother, Broken Chord, Broken Vow, Desperate Secret, Market Women, My Mother's Pregnancy and many more