Actress launches Odogwu Girl, urges women to embrace resilience

Nollywood actress Rachael Okoronkwo has urged young people, particularly women, to embrace resilience, consistency and self-belief as the foundation for success and lasting impact.

Okoronkwo made the call on Sunday at the launch of her motivational book, Odogwu Girl, held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

She said the book was inspired by her desire to encourage women facing life’s challenges, stressing that success is determined by resilience, hard work and determination rather than gender.

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According to her, everyone possesses limitless potential and should remain committed to personal growth regardless of their background, setbacks or circumstances.

“Success is the reward for hard work. It does not matter your size, colour, background or how many times you have failed.

“If you are consistent, resilient and believe in yourself, you will definitely become the person you aspire to be,” she said.

Speaking on the book’s chapter titled Girl Power, Okoronkwo urged women to focus on building purposeful lives instead of seeking validation from society.

She noted that many people spend too much time worrying about how they will be remembered rather than intentionally creating lives of value and impact.

“The whole essence of living is to become. You don’t just exist.

“As a young woman, ask yourself where you see yourself in the next 10 years and begin working towards that vision,” she said.

The actress challenged the notion that wealth and success are gender-specific, insisting that excellence is achieved through dedication, competence and unwavering commitment.

She explained that the title Odogwu is personality-driven rather than gender-based, celebrating individuals distinguished by exceptional achievement, diligence and resilience.

Okoronkwo also encouraged women to invest in self-development, acquire valuable skills and prepare themselves for future opportunities rather than pursuing unrealistic lifestyles.

“Learn to package yourself, expand your knowledge and prepare yourself for the success you desire,” she advised.

Reflecting on her personal journey, the actress recounted losing her father at the age of 13 and her mother in 2020, describing both experiences as painful but transformative.

She said those losses strengthened her resolve to remain focused on her purpose instead of allowing adversity to define her future.

“No matter what happens, I keep moving because challenges do not determine where I am going.

“I always remind myself that I have responsibilities and dreams that require commitment and hard work,” she said.

On balancing ambition with societal expectations, Okoronkwo urged women to build confidence, remain focused on creating value and remain open to constructive advice.

“What value do you bring to the table? That should be your greatest concern, not trying to impress people,” she said.

She added that her experiences in the entertainment industry have reinforced the importance of discipline, strong personal values and positive associations in shaping both character and public perception.

Beyond acting, Okoronkwo said she remains committed to mentoring women through her online initiative, Girl Power with Nkoli Nwansuka, where she encourages participants to believe in themselves and pursue their goals with confidence.

Chief Launcher and Chief Executive Officer of Lifecard International Investment Ltd., Grace Ofure-Ibhakhomu, encouraged women to remain steadfast despite societal challenges.

According to her, becoming an “Odogwu” requires sacrifice, resilience, determination and unwavering commitment to one’s aspirations.

“I was not born with a silver spoon. I sold second-hand clothes and did several menial jobs, but I remained determined to succeed.

“Dreams will remain dreams if they are not pursued with commitment and hard work,” she said.

Also speaking, Executive Director of TruCSR Consulting, Mary Ephraim Egbas, described Okoronkwo as a resilient woman whose life story should inspire others to pursue excellence with determination.