From the village streams that shaped her childhood and identity to the stages of Nigeria and the clinics of America, the life of Regina Askia-Williams has been a remarkable journey of culture, courage, transformation and resilience, spanning what feels like several lifetimes. In this interview, she recounts the experiences that shaped her, from her university days and pageantry to modelling, memorable acting roles and her iconic years in Nollywood. Ferdinand Ekechukwu brings the excerpts: