Atim Ikpeme — Popular television star Chika Okpala, popularly known as "Chief Zebrudaya" of the New Masquerade fame, and "Ozobio" will soon hit the stage in the United States as well as television screens as both have billed to feature in a short stage play with a schedule yet to be concluded by organizers.

One of Nigeria's funniest television characters - Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo comes together with "Ozobio," the funny African immigrant character in the movie This America and On the Run Again in a stage show that promises to rekindle those antics that made the now rested Masquerade and later the New Masquerade, a must watch television series on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Chief Chika Okpala, as Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwogbo alias 4:30, remains one of Nigeria's greatest situation comedians and the all time favourite Nigerian comedian. His TV comedy series 'New Masquerade' ran from 1983-1993.

He gained popularity by his hilarious use of incorrect English in his role as Chief Zebrudaya and continued with that style years after the Masquerade was rested, even as most television viewers claim Okpala gave new meaning to the word 'comedy.'

Okpala's plethora of awards and honours include: Best Actor Runner-Up 1959-84 by the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON); Best Male Entertainer 1985 (Palm Beach, Florida); Traditional Chieftaincy Conferment with the Eze Onu Nekwuru-Ora of Nnobi (1981); Traditional Chieftaincy Conferment with the title of Eze Onu Nekwuru-Ora of Aba (1981) and the Conferment of Chieftaincy title of Eze Odenigbo of Akabo Mbaise (in 1993).

Others are the: Fellow Institute of Journalism, Enugu; Afro Hollywood Award London (1999); Member of The Order of Federal Republic (MFR) (1999); Member of The Order of The Niger (MON) (2000); National/Merit Award For Arts & Culture (NAMAC) (in 1997).

Okpala's roll call of top performances include: In Man of Character by Ene Henshaw; Sons And Daughters by J.C. Degraphat; Dance For The Dead by James Iroha (OON); Life Everlasting by Pat Maddy; Through A Film Darkly by Pat Maddy; Cock Crow At Dawn on NTA; The New Broom; Counselling Video On Family Planning For PPFN, as well as in over 500 television commercials and radio jingles.