‘I Once Wanted To Commit Suicide When I Was Young’ – Nollywood Actor, Aki

Chinedu Ikedieze, well-known Nollywood actor recognized as Aki, has shared his experience from his upbringing. He revealed the difficulties he faced during his childhood, including emotional struggles stemming from being diagnosed with stunted growth at the age of 9. The actor expressed how hearing the doctor discuss his condition with his mother deeply affected him, and he contemplated ending his life due to the relentless bullying from other children who teased him for not growing at a normal rate. Aki stated this in a recent interview with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo.

Ikedieze stated:

“Something happened when I was nine years and six months old. I remember the doctor saying to my mum; ‘Madam, what he has is stunted growth.’

“That was when I started hearing the words, stunted and retarded growth. I cried several times because I was bullied in school and even at home because I wasn’t growing properly. It got bad, there were times I thought of ending it all. Thank God I no grow for Lagos because Third Mainland Bridge no far o [laughs].”

He said he was grateful to his mum for standing by him through those hard times. Ikedieze added that from the first time he met Osita Iheme, aka Pawpaw, “there was this chemistry there.”