By IFECHI OKOH

Despite their aged looks, they still go to the locations, once the marketers, producers and directors have committed them financially. In fact, these movie stake holders most times, use their inspiring conduct to be embarrassing measures to tell them that they are not up to expectations as professionals. This has since gingered the concerned actors and actresses to sit up to avoid further embarrassments. Today, we are happy to parade these four ageing four role models who are still in the race despite the challenges of age and other factors capable of affecting productions. Step out Ichie Pete Edochie, Onyeka Onwuenu, Larry koldsweat, and Taiwo Ajayi Lycett. Savour it cooly.

PETE EDOCHIE

In Nollywood, the name Pete Edochie is not unknown. A former staffer of the BBC of London, Edochie, who characterized the quite challenging role of Okonkwo in the TV adaption ofThings Fall Apart, a Chinua Achebes novel, has become one of the leading thespians in Nigeria who knows his onions as an actor. Edochie has featured in various Nollywood flicks. He has also won many laurels to show for his sweat in the make-believe industry as one of the most-sought-after actors in traditional Igbo films that could easily pass for archival materials. Uncle Pete, as he is fondly called, is a versatile material and would go extra miles to deliver his roles as a make-believe expert. To prove that he derives joy in what he knows how best to do, Uncle Pete has also baptized some of his family members into the River of Nollywood. His younger brothers wife, Rita Edochie, is also a known actress, while one of his controversial sons, Yul Edochie is a top actor.

ONYEKA ONWUENU

This top singer, many prefer to call her the elegant Stallion, is also an actress. A woman of many parts, not few people were surprised when the one-time Director-General of Imo State Arts and Culture, delved into acting. She was, for a long time, the rave of the moment when she featured prominently in many Nollywood flicks, winning awards, getting many nominations for her dexterity in acting, and still basking in the euphoria of her acting career, even as a card carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to make her stand as an ambassador of arts and culture in her new calling. Growing as a real stallion, Onwenu is ageing gracefully not only in her career, but also in human form.

LARRY KOLDSWEAT

Ageing gracefully in the actual sense of it, Koldsweat, a versatile and reserved actor, is one of the most respected senior actors in Nollywood. His name may not instantly ring a bell to movie watchers, but he is an actor with a difference, having a special way of delivering his roles. He is always on the quiet side, but continues to hold sway as an actor whose lifestyle would depict the picture of a role model for the upcoming in the movie industry.

TAIWO AJAYI-LYCETT

A veteran actress, Ajayi-lycett moves with a gingered swagger (when spotted ), not only as an actress, but because she is naturally a woman of valour, noted as a very hardworking thespian who knows the nitty-gritty of the theater. Ajayi- lycett usually shows off her prowess each time she has the opportunity of doing so. She still maintains that natural carriage which makes her a role model, despite her age.