The Creative Industry Group (CIG), on Sunday, honoured Lizzy Evoeme, popularly known as Ovularia in the now-rested popular soap opera ‘The New Masquerade’, aside sending a token amount to the veteran actress in her Port Harcourt home, a free health insurance scheme was also extended to her.
The President of CIG, Felix Duke said the initiative was to honour legends, who had made significant contributions to the creative industry while still alive.
“We are very much passionate about the welfare of our members and celebrating them when they are still alive. That is why we are honouring our big mummy, Ovularia.
“Going by her active years in the industry, we know that she has paid her dues and deserves to be recognised with our free health insurance scheme, award and little token, Duke said.
He added that the body was represented at the presentation by Obukome Ibru and its executive members in Port Harcourt.
“It is not all about the hands of fellowship extended to her; the idea is also to make her know that we care and that we want to make her have a sense of belonging and identify with her as she is ageing,” Duke said.
The CIG president disclosed that other veteran artistes, such as Alibaba, DJ Jimmy Jat, Lemmy Gharioku, Mudi, Bisi Olatilo, Paul Obazele and Felix King had been celebrated under the same scheme, adding that it was an ongoing initiative.
Ovularia, while reacting to the development, described the visit as a surprise to her.
The 79-year-old actress, who featured as wife of Zebrudaya Okoroigwe-Nwogbo, alias 4.30, in the New Masquerade in the1980s, expressed happiness with the honour, stressing that she felt great to be considered for recognition.
“The visit of the Creative Industry Group means a lot to me and I am impressed that they have fulfilled their promise in a special way and with a good handshake.
“That they have remembered my good work by honouring me, especially now that I am still alive is a very good way of showing love, care and making me have a sense of belonging,” Ovularia said.
While applauding CIG for the visit to her Port Harcourt home, which she described as significant, the veteran actress said that it had succeeded in adding value to her life.
Ovularia also starred in a Nollywood movie, entitled ‘Circle of Doom’ in 1993.
