REGINA ASKIA WILLIAMS RN FNP
Regina Askia-Williams born Imaobong Regina Askia Usoro, born in Lagos, to the Askia Usoro family of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, is an American-based family nurse practitioner (FNP), healthcare and educational activist, television producer, writer, and public speaker, who found fame as an actress and model in Nigeria.
In 1988, Askia-Williams was crowned Miss University of Lagos. That same year, she competed in the MBGN (Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria) 1988 contest. In 1990, Askia-Williams represented Nigeria at Miss Charm International held in Leningrad, Russia, and came second. She also made history by becoming the first Nigerian at Miss International in Japan, where she made an impact with the most outstanding traditional costume.
EARLY CAREER AND NOLLYWOOD
Askia-Williams's acting break came in 1993, when she played gold-digger Tokunbo Johnson in Nigerian soap Fortunes (later Mega Fortunes) on NTA Network, a role which earned her critical acclaim and roles in Nollywood movies. She has received several awards for her performances – including one for "Best Actress in Nigeria" by Afro Hollywood London in 2000 – and has produced several television shows and films. Askia-Williams starred in several "Nollywood" films during the 1990s and early 2000s, most of which were filmed to be released directly to video, reaching a wide audience in Nigeria and Africa such as Tanzania and Ghana. After gaining public recognition in Nigeria as a beauty pageant winner, Askia-Williams began a modeling career and appeared in several Nigerian print and television commercials including Kessingsheen Hair Care, boutique chain Collectibles, and most famously, Visine by Pfizer.
Wagner College Graduation Ceremony
TODAY
A graduate of the University of Lagos with a degree in Biology, she recently became a Family Nurse Practitioner (Wagner College in the United States). Along with other healthcare professionals, she founded REGINA MEDICAL SERVICES to provide easier access to health care services in the underserved communities of New Jersey. Askia-Williams is married to American Rudolph 'Rudy' Williams, nephew of Ron Everette (founder of KWANZA) and grandson of Fess Williams (famous American Jazz musician). Together the couple have two children Teesa Olympia and Rudolph Junior in addition to her first born Stephanie Hornecker from a previous relationship. She lives and works in New York city as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
FILMOGRAPHY
Most Wanted
Red Machete
Queen of the Night
Mena
Maximum Risk
Juliet Must Die
Highway to the Grave (1997)
Suicide Mission (1998)
Full Moon (1998)
Dirty Game (1998)
The President’s Daughter (2000)
Vuga (2000)
Vuga 2 (2000)
Festival of Fire (2002)
Man Snatcher (2003)
Dangerous Babe (2003)
Veno (2004)
Slave Warrior: The Beginning (2007)