By Dansu Peter Veteran Nollywood actor Segun Arinze has shed light on his true identity, revealing that his real name is Aina Padonu and h...
By Dansu Peter
In a candid interview on the QED Podcast Show, the acclaimed actor cleared the air on long-standing misconceptions about his heritage, stating unequivocally, “I’m from Badagry, Ajara-Vetho. My name is Aina Padonu.”
Arinze further explained his mixed heritage, noting that while his father is a Yoruba man from Badagry, his mother is Igbo. “My great-grandfather migrated to Onitsha, and though I was born there, I was brought back to Lagos,” he said. “My father had an Igbo name and my mother named me Arinzechukwu.”
Addressing the curiosity surrounding his stage name, Arinze revealed that it was never planned. The name change happened during a contract signing with Premier Music in the 1990s. Initially introduced as Segun Aino Padonu, the music director expressed concern that the name sounded like that of a Fuji or Juju musician.
“He asked if I had another name, and the next thing I saw in the media was ‘Segun Arinze,’” he recalled. “I asked him, ‘Oga, what is this?’ and he just said, ‘Leave it, it will work.’ And that’s how the name stuck.”
Despite adopting a stage name, Arinze remains deeply rooted in Badagry, where he maintains strong ties and often visits. His recent revelation not only reaffirms his Badagry identity but also celebrates the unity found in Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
His story has since sparked admiration from fans and cultural enthusiasts alike, many applauding his openness and pride in his roots. For Arinze, embracing both his Yoruba and Igbo heritage is a testament to Nigeria’s unique and interconnected identities.
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