In a July 2022 interview with Vanguard News, Nollywood actor Kenneth Chiwetalu, popularly known as Aguba, sparked headlines by declaring his intention to marry a virgin from Israel, rejecting a marriage proposal from a Nigerian woman on social media. Aguba, who claimed to be of Israeli lineage, stated, “I will marry from Israel; that is where my lineage is. There are virgin girls there.” He dismissed the proposer, asserting, “She is not a virgin. I want to marry a virgin,” and expressed confidence in finding a suitable match despite the death of a contact who had promised to connect him with an Israeli virgin. This stance, coupled with his claim of being “Jesus incarnate,” drew significant attention and debate online.
Gratitude for OPM’s Support Amid Personal Struggles
Aguba spoke after receiving aid from Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor of the Omega Power Ministry (OPM), who provided him free accommodation in Port Harcourt following reports of his homelessness in Enugu. “I am very happy that this man of God brought me out from where rain was beating me to give me shelter,” Aguba said, though he expressed concern about his belongings left in Asaba, including tools for his side job of repairing plastics and umbrellas. He noted that his urgent move left his property vulnerable, citing a recent theft of his gas cylinder. Aguba also mentioned unfulfilled promises from his church in Asaba, which had pledged accommodation for over 15 years, underscoring his reliance on OPM’s intervention.
Decades of Exploitation in Nollywood
Since entering Nollywood in 2003, Aguba detailed a career marred by financial exploitation. He claimed producers consistently underpaid him, with fees as low as N2,500 to N6,000 per film, despite taking lead roles. For instance, in the film Ugly Landlord, Aguba said he was promised N100,000 but received only N200, with producer Amayo Imo allegedly claiming payment was made. Another production, Odum na Akwa Eke, paid him N6,000 after physical tolls, including flogging scenes that led to a three-month hospitalization. “I would have died but God saved me,” he recounted, noting a N100,000 donation from a Canadian supporter that was depleted during his recovery. Aguba lamented, “They are supposed to even build a house for me,” highlighting the industry’s failure to reward his contributions.
Plea for Support and Future Plans
Aguba appealed for assistance to return to Asaba, where he is based, requesting OPM or others, including Nollywood actor Yul Edochie, to help him secure land and a home. “I have been known in Asaba. You cannot remove a righteous man from his place,” he asserted, expressing a desire to harvest his farm produce and maintain his livelihood. Despite Edochie’s reported efforts to help, Aguba lacked direct contact with him, underscoring his isolation. By March 2023, Aguba returned to his hometown in Enugu, where OPM provided an apartment and a caregiver, though he later voiced frustration over unfulfilled promises, including a house and an Israeli bride, in a May 2024 interview.
Social Media Frenzy and Public Reaction
Aguba’s insistence on marrying an Israeli virgin, coupled with his claim in August 2022 that he was “not a Nigerian” but from Israel, fueled online debates. Social media reactions ranged from amusement to skepticism, with some questioning his mental state, as seen in comments on Stella Dimoko Korkus’s blog: “This Aguba own is called what now, looking for an Israeli wife.” His rejection of interested Nigerian women, including Anastasia Michael Olamma and Ella Ada, who publicly vied for his hand, further amplified the controversy, with OPM’s Apostle Chibuzor attempting to mediate. Aguba’s story, blending personal hardship, religious fervor, and an unconventional marriage goal, kept him trending on platforms like X.
