Julius Okorie
There is indeed time for everything under the sun, a time to rejoice and a time to mourn. She spent decades putting smiles on the faces of many, using her free flowing talent.
Her ability to interpret and play her homely role as the partner of Chief Zeburudaya Okorigwe Nwogbo, alias 4:30, tickled the fancy of most television viewers in the mid-70s to -80s, leaving them reeling in laughter every time, while looking forward the next episode .
Join our WhatsApp ChannelShe blended so well with her stage hubby ZB, whose brand of English mixed with all manner of innuendos made it impossible to simply focus on any other thing while the programme was aired between 8-30pm to 9pm on Tuesday on NTA.
Vintage Lizzy Evoeme, aka Ovularia, who died on 5th May 2024 at 82, is to be buried on December 6, 2024 according to a release by the family.
Born in Calabar on 1st December 1942, to a sea worker father, Lizzy Evoeme began her acting career with a drama group called ‘NdiIchie’ where she auditioned for the role of Ovularia in the New Masquerade. She and other casts of the New Masquerade were prominent from 1982 to 1993 prior to the advent of Nollywood.
She was known for her role as Ovularia, the wife of a no-nonsense television character, called Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo played by Chika Okpala.
READ ALSO :Legendary Actress ‘Ovuleria’ Lizzy Evoeme Turns 79 Today, December 1
She was assertive but an obedient woman who never disagreed or argued with her husband’s decision no matter how many others disagreed with him. Ironically Ovularia was first rumoured to have died in 2019 which was refuted.
According to the family, Lizzy Evoeme will be buried at Evoeme’s compound at Umuaba Okpu-umuobo in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia State after Church Service.
The New Masquerade which brought late Ovularia to limelight was created and written by James Iroha who also acted in the sitcom. Among the characters that made the programme thick and indeed a must watch while it lasted, were: Chika Okpala as Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo Alias 4.30: a domineering husband who has a range of experience as an ex-serviceman and resident in foreign countries. He uses a mixture of Queens English, Igbo language and Pidgin English as a means of communication.
Lizzy Evoeme as Ovularia – Zebrudaya’s submissive wife who takes care of the house and engages in petty trading. Claude Eke as Jegede Sokoya – Zeburudaya’s friend whose arrogance and the quest for easy money is a source of conflict between him and the more honest Zeburudaya. He calls himself a doctor and the youngest millionaire in the universe. He likes to demonstrate his ability to speak Queens English by using a bombast or pretentious style of speaking.
Creator of the programme, James Iroha as Giringory Akabogu – Houseboy, speaks in Pidgin English with characteristic Calabar accent. Christy Essien-Igbokwe as Apena – Sokoya’s wife. David Offor as Clarus Mgbeojikwe – Giringory’s fellow houseboy, Tony Akposheri as Zakky – Jegede’s ally in scheming get-rich-quick schemes and Romanus Amuta as Natty – A greedy man who engages in gossips and dirty tricks.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
