By Crystal Ugoeze
Nollywood actor Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw, has said he has no plans to get married, adding that he considers his siblings’ children his own.
The 43-year-old actor said his priority is to live his life peacefully and support the people closest to him rather than pursue marriage.
“I’m already 43, I have no plans of getting married. I just want to live my life and help those closer to me,” Iheme was quoted as saying.
“My brothers and sisters have children which I consider them as mine.”
The statement has sparked reactions from fans and followers, particularly because Iheme has remained one of Nollywood’s most prominent bachelors despite having spent more than two decades in the entertainment industry.
Pawpaw’s rise to Nollywood fame
Born on February 20, 1982, in Abia State, Iheme hails from Mbaitoli in Imo State. He developed an interest in acting early and was involved in church drama before pursuing a professional career in Nollywood. He began appearing in films around the late 1990s and early 2000s.
His major breakthrough came with the 2002 comedy Aki na Ukwa, in which he starred alongside Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki. The film became a major success and transformed the two relatively young actors into household names. Their characters, Pawpaw and Aki, became one of the most recognisable comedy partnerships in Nigerian cinema.
Iheme initially became known for playing mischievous child characters despite being an adult. His comic timing and chemistry with Ikedieze helped establish the duo as major stars, while the popularity of their films eventually spread beyond Nigeria.
He later moved into more mature and dramatic roles, demonstrating a broader range beyond the child characters that initially defined his career. His film credits include 2 Rats, Baby Police, The Mirror Boy, Christmas in Miami and Aki and Pawpaw.
His achievements have also earned him major recognition. In 2007, Iheme received the Africa Movie Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement, while in 2011 he was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian government.
Beyond acting, Iheme has ventured into film production and other business interests. His portrayal of Pawpaw has also taken on a new life through internet memes, making him recognisable to a younger generation that may have discovered his work years after his biggest films were released.
Although he has previously spoken about marriage in interviews, Iheme has generally kept his private life away from the spotlight. In 2016, for example, he said he would marry “at the right time.”
His latest comments suggest that, at 43, the actor is currently content to remain unmarried and focus on his personal life, career and extended family.