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Oliver O. Mbamara is originally from Nigeria, West Africa. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos Nigeria and the Nigerian Law School respectively. After his National Youth Service, he went on to practice Law and simultaneously maintained his Law Chambers in Surulere, Lagos state and Umunachi, in Imo State before proceeding to the United States where he passed the New York Bar examination and was subsequently admitted to practice as an Attorney. He is presently an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York.
The above paragraph may have introduced Oliver O. Mbamara, but it would be grossly incomplete to leave things at that. Oliver’s life is perhaps more embedded in other areas of activity besides his profession as a lawyer. He is a multitalented Individual who continues to simultaneously make impact in many fields of life and endeavor. We will address a few of them. He is a Writer, Poet, Actor, Playwright, Performer, Producer, Director, Publisher, Editor, etc.
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The
Poet
 Oliver
O. Mbamara has always been a poet but in 1991, a co-actor (Stanley),
wrote a poem and convinced him to perform the same during an
international seminar at the National Theater Iganmu, Lagos before a
capacity crowd of several thousand attendees. After the successful
debut, Oliver took the calling a little more seriously and began
writing more formal poems which he also performed at seminars and
public places. Since arriving in the United States, he has read and
performed his unique style of one-man-dramatic poetry at several
events and venues ranging from State and City organized events to
private parties, clubs, and poetry reading spots. Today, Oliver has
published three books of Poems:
(1) Poems of Life, 2001, Watermark Press
(2) Poems of Life, 2nd Edition, 2002, Watermark Press
(3) Love Poems and Quotes, 2003, Bookman Publishing
Order
Any Of His Books
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The
Actor, The Performer
 Oliver
remains grateful for the opportunity he had and the experience he
acquired while touring many parts of Nigeria performing with the
“Prime Circle Theater Troupe.” Working side by side with
talented Director, Sanctus Okereke and some other talented
performers like Onyi Okoye, Oliver watched his talent flourish as
not just an actor but also as a solo performer. In 2001, just a few
years upon arriving in the United States, Oliver won and played the
lead role in an off Broadway Dance Drama – “Prisoner of The
Kalakiri” written by Prof. Chudi Uwazuruike. In 2003, working with
Producer Tony Duru and “Odenigbo Theater” Oliver played the
lead-actor role in Zulu Sofola’s “Wedlock of The Gods.” Oliver
has performed and continues to perform in African masquerade dances
and cultural performances. Oliver is presently starring in the film
– THIS AMERICA as the lead-actor.
See
Some of his performances at www.AfricanTheaterUSA.com
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 The
Playwright
Oliver O. Mbamara started performing at kindergarten during School
concerts. In the late eighties he wrote scripts and performed in
most of them for a comedy group among others. In the early nineties
he joined the Prime Circle Theater Troupe and wrote several scripts
for them including a historic spiritual piece titled “This
Transition Called Death.” Subsequently, he has written several
plays including the “The Flame of Love,” A Musical Dance Drama
written for Broadway and the “The New Yam Bandit,” an African
play, written for schools as an introduction to early-African
culture and systems of justice and punishment.
Order
Any Of His Books
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The
Director
Oliver is a CERTIFIED CINEMA DIRECTOR & LINE PRODUCER of the HOLLYWOOD FILM INSTITUTE from which he obtained a certificate of INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER.
Though he always loved to act, his unique perspective and creativity
found him being invited on many occasions to direct projects even
where he had to play significant acting roles. Realizing his ability
as a director, he decided to obtain some formal education to
fine-tune his talent on the art of directing and subsequently, he
graduated from Hollywood Film Institute. He
has been involved as a Director with numerous performances.
A few of
Oliver's performances as a director include the following:
(1) Lagos Comedy Group, (Director and performer)
(2) Wedlock of The Gods by Zulu Sofola, Odenigbo Theater, (Director
& Lead role),
(3) Flame of Love, The Spark of God, Director
(4) New York Theater Sketches, Director
(5) This America, a feature film (Assistant Director & Lead
Actor)
Oliver was the Assistant Director of the feature film -THIS
AMERICA which he wrote and also played the lead role.
He
is presently working on two independent feature films which he also wrote.
Details coming soon.
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The
Writer
Oliver is a freelance writer as well as a columnist with several
national, international and regional newsmagazines, news journals,
newspapers, and online magazines. He has written and continues to
write many scripts and screenplays for film and stage, some of which
have been published. Oliver's audience
is spread around the
world and cuts across tribe, race, gender, and profession. Some of
these news outlets include:
(1) African Bulletin – Europe, Africa (HQ, Netherlands/Holland)
(2) US African Eye Magazine, United States, Nigeria (HQ, New York)
(3) Eno Magazine, Houston, England, United States, (HQ, Houston)
(4) African NewsReel – New York, United States (HQ, New York)
(5) African Suntimes, New York, New Jersey, US, (HQ, New
Jersey)
(6) www.Expressionsofsoul.com
(7) www.MediaBlackberry.com
(8) www.CafeAfricana.com
(9) www.AfricanEvents.com
(10) www.PoemsofSoul.com
(12) www.NigeriansinAmerica.com
(13) www.AfricanTheaterUSA.com
(14) www.UnitedAfricanArtists.com
(15) www.NigerianLawyers.org
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 The
Published Author
Oliver is the Author of the following books
(1) “Why Are We Here?” 2004
(2) Flame of Love, The Unrestricted, 2004
(3) Flame of Love, The Spark of God, 2002,
(4) Love Poems and Quotes, 2003
(5) Poems of Life, 2nd Edition, 2002
(6) Poems of Life, 2001
Oliver is the writer of “THIS AMERICA” the Adventure thriller
produced by African Film Company.
Order
Any Of His Books
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The
Publisher/Editor
Oliver is the Editor and Publisher of the following online magazines
(1) www.Expressionsofsoul.com
(Publisher/Editor)
(2) www.Poemsofsoul.com
(Publisher/Editor)
(3) www.AfricanThetareUSA.com
(Publisher/Editor)
(4) www.AfricanEvents.com
(Publisher/Editor)
(5) www.UnitedAfricanArtists.com
(Editor) Site published by UAA)
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The
Producer & Independent FilmMaker
Oliver is a graduate of the HOLLYWOOD FILM INSTITUTE as a FEATURE
FILM PRODUCER. Also, he has a certificate from the same Film
Institute as an INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER. Oliver has been involved in the production of several stage,
theater, and film projects both as an individual and under the
umbrella of a partnership or organization. He is the
Producer/coordinator of African Theater USA (ATUSA), an African
theater troupe that has produced several African theater outings in
New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, etc. He is the president of
“African Film Company Inc.” the emerging film production company
involved with the making of the films – THIS AMERICA written by
Oliver Mbamara himself, and THE LAST AFRICAN VIRGIN written by
Rudolph Okonkwo. Oliver is also a co-founder of “United African
Artists Incorporated,” a not-for-profit organization based in New
York with the objectives of promoting African Artists, talents, and
the production of African Theater ventures including African dances,
theater, and films at home and abroad. Oliver is presently working
on two independent feature films as both the Producer and Director.
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 The
Jurist/Attorney
Oliver is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,
and also admitted to practice Law in New York State. He is presently
an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York.
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A Few Awards
Although Oliver is grateful to have won a couple of awards and medals of excellence and achievement such as the 2002 International Poet of Merit Medal and Trophy, the National Tolerance Award, the 1997 Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award by the National Library of Poetry, he is actually moved by the numerous comments he continues to receive from individuals who have been positively enthused by any of his works.
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Hobbies/Pastime
Oliver played state league soccer during his high school/college days in Nigeria. He still jumps at any opportunity to “tap some leather” anytime he finds one. He enjoys photography and have taken some outstanding shots most of which have been and are still being used in professional and standard publications. Whenever he could, Oliver enjoys adding some partying time to his tight schedule. Oliver loves to cook and he enjoys being creative and innovative about dishes.
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Preferences
Oliver loves being around people who are neither afraid nor embarrassed to joke and laugh. He is attracted to straightforward and open-minded people. He avoids people who are uptight and prejudicial – people who base their thoughts and action on conclusions made without adequate knowledge of relevant facts. The easiest way to gain his respect and attention is humility.
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Motto/Guiding Principles (he is still learning about these and working on them)
· Forgive the past, live the lessons, and look to the future.
· Love life, live the moment, but hook not on the pleasures.
· Do the best you can, and be content with what comes through.
· Have faith, but leave not for tomorrow what can be done today.
· Be positive in your thoughts, but reasonable in your expectations.
· Be hopeful and ambitious, but move to put your dreams to work.
· Believe if you will, but let your experience be your authority.
· Seek to know about life, but begin the quest with yourself.
· Life is the stage and man is the actor, but how’s the act?
Oliver is presently based in New York.
To reach Oliver or to submit your comments, notes, and questions, please send e-mail or submit your info to
CONTACT US or simply give us a call at 718 617 6077
©2004 October 12, 2004
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