Chinedu Nkwocha, a broadcasting student at the University of Port Harcourt and a comedian known as Loka Lawya, has publicly appealed for sponsorship to support his entertainment career. According to an interview with Punch, Nkwocha is seeking opportunities rather than pity from stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry. He aims to establish his Loka Lawya Entertainment Venture, which currently operates without a manager or corporate sponsor.
Nkwocha’s path to his current status was marked by severe hardship. He lost his mother in 2009 and his father in 2011, leaving him an orphan at age 12. His vision deteriorated due to cataracts, and without parental support for surgery, he became completely blind by 2012. Punch reported that after his father’s death, Nkwocha faced rejection from his extended family in Surulere, Lagos. He described sleeping on a borrowed bench in a corridor during heavy rains and flooding, relying on his grandfather’s pension and a local restaurant owner for food.
His life changed when a friend invited him to Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children. There, he met Reverend Sister Jane Onyeneri, the school’s principal at the time. Punch reported that Sister Jane offered to take full responsibility for his care after his relatives refused to do so. The Reverend Sisters of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus subsequently assumed responsibility for his welfare and education. He later attended King’s College, Lagos, before gaining admission to the University of Port Harcourt.
Nkwocha began his entertainment journey at Pacelli School, where he hosted social nights starting in 2013. He launched his venture in 2015 and has since performed at small events in Ajegunle and Surulere. He identifies his ambition as becoming a professional broadcaster, comedian, and musician. However, he faces significant financial barriers. He noted that recording a single song costs approximately N50,000, a sum he cannot afford, forcing him to focus primarily on comedy.
He highlighted the stigma faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria, stating that many perceive them as useless. Nkwocha emphasized that he does not want pity but wants an opportunity and sponsorship. He credited his survival and success to the kindness of strangers, including his grandfather, Mr. Monday, and the Catholic Church. His story illustrates the challenges of pursuing creative arts in Nigeria without institutional support.