Hollywood actress, Chika Ike, has reflected on what she learnt when she recently enrolled for a programme at the prestigious Harvard University.
According to her, she learnt the need for one to be prepared to explore other territories.
In an interview with ‘Sunday Scoop, she said, “Harvard, for me, was a transformational learning experience. It really transformed me mentally, physically, emotionally, and in many other ways. One thing I took away from all that I learnt is that one should always explore other territories and exploit what one has. I also learnt about competitive advantage, and knowing one’s business model.”
“It is no secret that these are difficult times in the country. One has to think about one’s competitive advantage before coming to this kind of market. Logistics and funding are major challenges, but as an entrepreneur, one must have a never-say-die attitude.
“That would make you stand out. Apart from the business angle, I am passionate about helping women to lead their best lives, and that is why a lot of time and dedication went into making my products. We had to make an 18-colour eye shadow pallet and 12-colour liquid matte lipstick, so as to cater to everybody, irrespective of their complexion.”
The Onitsha, Anambra State-born Ike began acting in 2005. According to one of her profiles, she began her film career in 2005 when she played a minor character in the movie Sweet Love. She got her first major role that same year in a movie titled Bless the Child and has since played major roles in over a hundred movies, such as Paradise, Mirror of Beauty, To Love a Stranger, Girls Got Reloaded, Happy Ending, Yes We Will, Anointed Queen and The Prince and the Princess.In 2007, Mirror of Beauty was shown in Cineworld and Odeon cinemas across the U.K and in 2008 It was selected and screened at the Cannes film festival.[
She founded her production company, Chika Ike Production, in 2014, and produced her first movie Miss Teacher and her reality TV game show African Diva Reality TV Show of which she is the executive producer, host and a member of the judging panel.[5] The first season aired on DStv and the second season aired on AIT.[ In 2015, she collaborated with Rok Studios to produce movies like Happy Ending and Stuck on You
In 2004, Ike enrolled in the University of Lagos (Unilag) for a 2-year diploma program in human kinetics and health education. She completed the program in 2006, earning a certificate. She went further to get a degree in human kinetics and health education at Unilag. In 2014, she graduated from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, California where she studied film-making. Ike established the foundation Help the Child which is aimed at helping poor children. In 2012 she threw a street party where she hosted over 3000 children, feeding them and giving out toys, school bags and writing materials. Every year she organizes a major charity event for the children on the street, provides scholarships, and provides them with school writing materials.
