Behind many great entertainers stands a parent who never sought the spotlight. For Okey Bakassi, born Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule on October 23, 1969, that figure is his mother, Mrs. Felicia Onyegbule, a dedicated nurse.

A nurse in a military household

Mrs. Onyegbule was married to Mr. Livinus Onyegbule, a military officer. Like many military families of that era, the household moved with postings, and young Okechukwu grew up in barracks communities, attending primary school in Potiskum in present day Yobe State before moving on to Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School in Owerri and Federal Government College, Port Harcourt.

Nursing in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s often meant long shifts, limited equipment and a deep sense of duty to patients. Mothers who combined that work with raising children in constantly changing environments were, in many ways, the backbone of their communities.

The values she passed on

Okey has often been described as a blend of his father's discipline and his mother's warmth. That mix shows in his work: sharp, structured comedy delivered with genuine empathy for ordinary people. Family members and friends credit the home his parents built for his grounded character and his commitment to his own marriage and children.

From Mbaise roots

The Onyegbule family hails from Mbaise in Imo State, a region known for strong family ties and a high regard for education. Those values helped steer Okey through a degree in Agricultural Engineering before he turned to the stage.

Mrs. Felicia Onyegbule's story is a reminder that Nigeria's cultural icons are often shaped first by quiet professionals, the nurses, teachers and parents whose names rarely make headlines.