PETE EDOCHIE: Why I Offer Kola Nut, Not Coca-Cola To My Visitors

Nollywood super-star, Pete Edochie, needs no introduction in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Starting his life as a broadcaster,  he fought in the Gigeria-Biafran Civil war, rose to the position of a director in the ministry before quitting what he has variously described as the drudgery of working in the ministry. He has exchanged that life with the excitement of life as probably the most recognized and famous actors in Nollywood.

Pete’s journey into stardom started on a massive high when he played Okonkwo in Nigeria Television Authorities production of Chinua Achebe's award winning book THINGS FALL APART. A role that made him the most recognized face on Nigerian nay, African television and has mostly defined his contribution to Nollywood.

If you pay a visit to Pete Edochie, don’t be surprised if he offers you Kola-nut instead of Coca-Cola Coke! The man is a complete vanguard of traditional values.

Hear him: “We are Ibos. In Iboland, we do not offer you Coca-Cola or Beer. Traditionally. we offer our visitors Oji (Kola) or palm wine. I am a titled man and I have to observe tradition and culture. This is who we are, this is what this generation is forgetting and that is why things are going wrong everywhere. The Oji represents the things that bind us; that is why it is called Oji which means 'Ojikotara' - that which glues us together. So when you give somebody Kola, it is an expression of the unity that we are advocating for.”