Stella Damasus reveals family’s surname was changed during Biafran war
On Tuesday, January 14, renowned Nollywood actress Stella Damasus shared a personal revelation during an interview with popular media personality Ebuka Obi Uchendu, disclosing that her family’s original surname was Ojukwu before the Nigerian Civil War.
The actress explained that her grandfather’s name was changed to Damasus to protect the family from being attacked during the war. She revealed that due to the association with the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, her family’s name was assumed to be linked to him, which led to the decision to alter it.
Ebuka remarked on how many people were surprised to learn about the change, saying, “It was interesting that so many people didn’t even understand that your surname was not what it was. So many people were shocked at the revelation, are you as shocked as a lot of people were?”
Stella responded, “Damasus is my granddaughter’s first name. It’s a Greek name. My original surname was Ojukwu but that changed during the Biafran war when my people were attacked in Asaba because they thought it was the same Ojukwu. I was born into Damasus, and when I asked why, that was the reason they gave me.”
This candid moment shed light on the personal history behind her surname, offering a glimpse into the challenges her family faced during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent times.