Rita Dominic: The rise and rise of Nigeria’s iconic actress

BY ORJI ONYEKWERE

Two days ago, precisely July 12, 2024, delectable Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic Anosike, marked her birthday anniversary with a note of thanksgiving to Almighty God for a paragon journey and milestone achievements in the entertainment business.

She wrote on her Instagram page, “Another year around the sun. Thank you, Abbah Father for your uncountable blessings. Happy birthday, Reedee!”

Fans, followers, and fellow Nollywood stars flooded the actress’ comment section with birthday wishes, prayers, and well wishes.

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Actress Mercy Johnson wrote, “Happy Birthday, Mami. God’s blessings always.”

Gloria Osei Sarfo capped the moment for her this way, “Happy blessed birthday to you Queen. You’re such a sweet soul. I wish you more blessings from above to you and yours.”

That’s just the way her colleagues and friends see her, a friend, and a counsellor with a heart of gold. A screen diva loved by many, Rita has indeed engraved her name in the hearts of many movie buffs. So, it was not surprising when she won the heart of business man and publisher, Fidelis Anosike.

An icon in Nollywood, her passion for acting started as a child when she began to appear in school plays and children’s television shows in her home state, Imo.

In 1998, she had the first professional stint starring in her first movie, ‘A Time to Kill’, which also gave her the first major break. This kicked off a career that has resonated with success, appearing in more than 100 movies and still counting. Some of them include: Aba Riot, Unforgettable, To Love a Thief, Throwing Stones, The Begotten, Jane, Suicide Lovers, Queen of My Heart and Orange Groove among many others.

Rita is best known for her roles in the groundbreaking films “76”, ‘The Meeting’ and ‘Shattered’ for which she won several prestigious awards. Talking about awards, the Imo state born actress has so many lined up on her mantelpiece.

She is the only actress to have won the AMVCAs Best Actress award in both the Drama and Comedy categories. She is also the only West African actress to have won Kenya’s Kalasha Awards and the City People Awards for the Most Outstanding actress(2004), among many others. She also won the top actress in her movie, ‘The Meeting in 2013 and 2017 and has also won the Best Actress in TV series. There are also: Nollywood Movies Awards for Best Actress in Lead Role – 2013, Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Actress in Lead Role – 2013, Africa International Film Festival for Special Jury Mention Award – 2013, Eloy Awards for the Female Producer of the Year – 2013 and Nollywood Week Paris Film Festival awarded The Meeting as the Best Film – 2014.

CNN described her as a ‘silver screen icon’, “embodying a range of colourful characters”. This definitely encapsulates the character that she represents as one of Africa’s biggest movie stars. Because of her persona, Rita has graced the covers of some products as an ambassador. Just recently, she was appointed by the Afreximbank to be an IATF Goodwill Ambassador.

The multiple award-winning actress, producer, is also the Co-Founder of The Audrey Silva Company, a leading Nigerian film company dedicated to churning out quality content inspired by Africa with strong universal appeal.

She has produced movies like ‘The Meeting’ which she co-produced with Mildred Okwo, Suru ‘lere’, The Therapist, Light in the Dark, Bound, The Blindspot and Desecration among many others.

The youngest of four children, Rita was born into the royal Waturuocha family of Aboh Mbaise. Rita started acting in local television dramas at the age of five. She attended the prestigious Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, before heading to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where she graduated with a BA (Honours) Degree in Theatre Arts in 1999.

On 5th of April, 2022, Dominic announced her engagement to Daily Times’ publisher, Fidelis Anosike, and on 19th April, 2022, they had their traditional wedding in Imo State, Rita Dominic’s home state.

In November 2022, the couple Rita and Fidelis Anosike had a lavish white wedding in England. In attendance were Kate Henshaw, Chioma Chukwuka and others.

Dominic describes her union with Fidelis Anosike as a delightful and intriguing adventure, as she also noted that their bond was built over years of friendship which grew into love, eventually culminating in marriage.

QUOTE:

CNN described her as a ‘silver screen icon’, “embodying a range of colourful characters”. This definitely encapsulates the character that she represents as one of Africa’s biggest movie stars.