Stella Damasus Reveals Why Her Family Changed Their Surname From Ojukwu To Damasus

Veteran actress Stella Damasus has shared a poignant story about her family’s decision to change their surname from Ojukwu to Damasus during the Biafra war.

In a recent conversation with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Stella explained that the change was a matter of survival.

At the time, anyone bearing the name Ojukwu was often assumed to have ties to the Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, which made them targets of persecution.

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“For our safety, my family decided to change our surname. It was a tough decision, but it protected us during such a dangerous period,” Stella said.

Interestingly, the surname Damasus originates from her grandfather’s first name, which has Greek roots.

She highlighted how this change became a permanent part of her family’s identity.

Stella shared this deeply personal story to raise awareness about the struggles many families endured during the Nigerian Civil War