| Nigerian Ambassadors continue to fly the nation’s | | | | Minister, Walter Mzembi, Miss Tourism Zimbabwe |
| flag high as Top Nollywood actress Patience | | | | Vanessa Sibanda, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining |
| Ozokwor, popularly known as ‘‘Mai | | | | Development Zwizwai Murisi, Senator Herbert |
| Azuka’’ or Mama G, jetted into Harare recently | | | | Murerwa and talkshow hostess Rebecca Chisamba |
| to a rousing welcome from stakeholders in the local | | | | amidst a rapturous reception. |
| film industry who thronged the Harare International | | | | Mama Azuka was then officially introduced to the |
| Airport. | | | | audience by Minister Mzembi who even joked that had |
| Business briefly ground to a halt when workers at the | | | | re-christened himself Baba Azuka. |
| international terminal and several other people jostled | | | | The minister, who also spoke high of ZTA’s Celeb |
| to get a glimpse of the talented actress. | | | | Host Programme, urged Mama Azuka to spread the |
| The popular actress, who is typecast as a wicked, | | | | message on Zimbabwe’s hospitality when she |
| vengeful, manipulative woman in her films, was all | | | | returns to Lagos. |
| smiles as she chatted with both journalists and local | | | | After speeches, Alexio Kawara took to the stage at |
| television stars | | | | 10.38pm and Minister Mzembi and Mama Azuka thrilled |
| "I am happy to be in Zimbabwe and I believe I will have | | | | fans on the dance floor. The Nigerian actress gyrated |
| a lot to learn and take back home with me," she said. | | | | with Alexio on stage much to the delight of revellers. |
| ‘‘Mai Azuka’’ was expected to fly to | | | | Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria also had a good show |
| Bulawayo to attend this year’s edition of | | | | and the peak of the night came towards midnight |
| A’Sambeni at the invitation of the Zimbabwe | | | | when Kaseke afforded fans an opportunity to ask |
| Tourism Authority under its celebrity host programme | | | | Mama Azuka burning questions they had over the |
| aimed at promoting the country’s tourist resorts. | | | | years. |
| Her presence at the annual travel expo is aimed at | | | | There was also a segment tagged "Mai Chisamba |
| generating a lot of interest among both exhibitors and | | | | and Mai Azuka Show”, where fans and Joutnalist |
| the general public alike. | | | | had the opportunity to ask questions. |
| She even graced the Zimbabwe International Trade | | | | After all said and done here is Patience Ozokwor’s |
| Fair held in Bulawayo and toured the country’s | | | | summary of her visit "Zimbabwe is a beautiful country |
| premier tourist resorts courtesy of ZTA. | | | | with a lot of potential to be harnessed, I have also |
| After her mission, the ZTA saw it befitting to give her | | | | come hear to harness that myself...My stay here has |
| a dignified farewell and it came in form of a gig | | | | been quite an experience. I was taken to Victoria Falls |
| dubbed "Mai Azuka in Concert" at the Rainbow | | | | and I saw some elephants there." |
| Towers Main auditorium. | | | | On her achievements so far, she explained: "I am very |
| After all, Mama G is also a musician and she was | | | | comfortable. The (film) industry is rewarding in Nigeria. |
| supported by Alexio Kawara, Mbira DzeNharira, | | | | So far, I have acted in more than 200 movies and feel |
| Nicholas Zakaria and reggae crooner Mic Inity. | | | | I have not started yet. I will also take part in The |
| The gig was also meant to give fans an opportunity to | | | | Zimbabwe I Know. |
| interact with their idol while the Harare media was | | | | ‘‘Mai Azuka’’ becomes the second |
| expecting one-on-one interviews with her as previous | | | | Nollywood star to visit Zimbabwe under the ZTA’s |
| attempts to do so earlier in the week proved abortive. | | | | celebrity host programme. Last year, it was Chinedu |
| She was accompanied by Tourism and Hospitality | | | | Ikedieze, a.k.a. Aki of Tom and Jerry fame. |