Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Muyiwa has shared adorable photos as she celebrates her 59th birthday today, 21st March 2022.
Photos shared on her Instagram page captured Joke Muyiwa dazzling in a beautiful Ankara outfit and beaming with smiles.
The thespian expressed appreciation to God for another 365 days and wished herself a happy birthday. She wrote:
“Happy birthday to me. Another 365 days. Thank you lord.”
As WITHIN NIGERIA felicitates the veteran actress on her birthday today, here are some things you probably didn’t know about. Read on
Adejoke Adetoun Ademuyiwa fondly called Joke Muyiwa was born 21 March 1963, in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
A Christian by religion, she was born into a home with diverse religion. Her father was an Ifa priest and a herbalist, while the mother was a staunch Muslim, Iya Alasalatu.
As you may have guessed, Joke Muyiwa is a woman of many talents known in and outside the shores on Nigeria. She is a Nigerian film actress, honorary chief, Ph.D holder and lecturer who currently lectures in the department of Performing Arts at the Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Education
She had her primary education at the Sacred Heart Convent School and obtained her SSCE at the Baptist Grammar School, both in Ibadan, Oyo State. Muyiwa was awarded her Certificate in Dramatic Arts by the prestigious University of Ife in 1981-1982 session and enrolled for Diploma in Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan between 1984- 1986.
She bagged a B.A (Hons.) degree in Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987, Master of Arts (M.A) Degree in Theatre Arts from University of Ibadan in 1999 and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Drama Studies from The Redeemers University, Ede in the year 2020.
Acting Career
In 1980, Joke Muyiwa started her acting career at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan.
Her first appearance on stage was in a TV Drama Series called Why Worry produced by Tunji Fatilewa. A year later, she joined University of Ibadan Performing Company (UPC) as an Actress-in-Training, where she participated in numerous stage performances till 1984. In 1986, Joke moved to Obafemi Awolowo University Theatre Company as an Artiste-in-Residence and she was there till 1998.
Muyiwa is popular for the numerous roles she has played exceptionally, both in Yoruba and English movies in Nollywood. She is known for movies like
- Swallow (2021)
- Love Castle (2021)
- The Mystic River (2021)
- The Last Step (2020)
- Iji (Storm) (2018)
- Ayomi (2015)
- Obinrin Ale (2009)
- The Narrow Path (2006)
- Afonja (2002)
On the 16th of March, 2022 the actress revealed that she has been in the movie industry for 42 years. On Instagram, while sharing an old movie clip, she wrote:
“42 years in acting. This movie was produced 27 years ago. This year marks my 42 years on stage. Keep doing your best”
Lecturing
Joke Muyiwa started lecturing between 2002 and 2003 at the Lagos State University before moving to Olabisi Onabanjo University where she has lectured for over 14 years. She was a one-time head of department for the department of Performing Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University.
In December 2020, many years into her lecturing career, Muyiwa was awarded a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from the Redeemers University.
Chieftaincy
Many times, a person’s good works go undetected and unappreciated but fortunately Joke Muyiwa’s significance in the make-believe industry has not gone unnoticed as she holds a chieftaincy title.
In 2018, she was conferred with the ‘Yeye Asa of Ago Iwoye’ chieftancy title by HRM Oba Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye.
Joke Muyiwa is a mother and grandmother. She had two sons, but revealed that she lost one at infancy. Her first son is Abayomi “Thespis” Ayeni, is a musician. She became a grandmother in March 2020.
Incase you missed it, you can read up on 10 Nollywood actors and actresses you may not know are tertiary institution lecturers. Read details here
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