The Nigerian entertainment industry has recently experienced a wave of sorrow with the passing of several talented actors. This article pays tribute to these stars and their contributions to Nollywood and Kannywood.
Notable Deaths in Recent Months
Here's a look at some of the actors who have sadly passed away recently:
Olofa Ina
Veteran actor Adedeji Aderemi, often known as Olofa Ina, died in January at the age of 73 after battling an illness. He was born on May 15, 1950. In 1972, he formed a theatre group with his friends named “Olofa Ina Theatre Group”. He started his major acting career in 1980, with his debut film being ‘Ejo Ngboro’ by Tunbosun Odunsi.
Jimi Solanke
The veteran actor, poet, and playwright Jimi Solanke died on February 5 after a prolonged illness. He was 81. He was often referred to as Uncle Jimi and was well-known for his roles in Kongi’s Harvest, Sango, Shadow Parties, Death and the King’s Horseman, Kurunmi, and The Divorce, among others.
Ethel Ekpe
Ethel Ekpe, a veteran Nollywood actress known for playing the role of ‘Segi’ on the Nigerian Television Authority sitcom, ‘Basi and Company’ died on February 7 after a long battle with cancer.
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Sisi Quadri
The actor, whose real name is Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, died on March 1 at the age of 44 after an undisclosed illness. He rose to fame in 2004 after his role in Seniyan Seranko and the 2020 film Ebundola. He also starred in Kunle Afolayan’s Netwlfil original, Anikulapo: The Return of Sceptre, which was scheduled to be released on the day he died, March 1.
Mr. Ibu
The death of actor John Okafor, popularly called Mr. Ibu, occurred a few hours after Sisi Quadri died. Mr Ibu died at the age of 62 on March 2 after a prolonged illness that led to a series of surgeries. He was one of the famous faces in Nollywood and admired for his comic roles in films.
Andy Best
The Nollywood producer, Ikechukwu Nandi, also known as Andy Best, passed away on March 19. He hailed from Umunkwo, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State and was a famous producer and marketer with decades of experience in the industry. He was the chief executive officer of Andy Best Production. He produced several movies, including Lion of Africa, White Poison, and My Father’s Cup.
Amaechi Muonagor
Amaechi Muonagor, died on March 24 after suffering from kidney disease. He was 61. He was in the industry as an actor and producer for over three decades and was well known for his comic roles in Nollywood films.
Adejumoke Aderounmu
Aderounmu, famous for her role as ‘Esther’ in the popular sitcom Jenifa’s Diary, died on April 6. She started her acting career in 2008, appearing in various Nollywood sitcoms and films, including Jenifa’s Diary, Dazzling Mirage, Alakada 2, and Arugba.
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Saratu Gidado
Gidado, often known as Saratu Daso, was a famous Kannywood actress who died on April 9. She was 56. She died at the age of 56 for Kano State. Popularly known as Daso, she dey well known for di comedy roles she always dey play. A successful and prominent figure in the Hausa film industry for over two decades, her death was shocking to many because days and even hours before her death she was active on social media.
Family of di late actress confam her death. Dem say afta she chop Sahur, di food wey Muslims wey dey observe Ramadan dey chop, she go inside go sleep and she no wake up again.
Jnr Pope
Actor Junior Pope Odonwodo, mostly known as Jnr Pope, died Wednesday, April 10, after he was involved in a boat mishap on his way back from the location of a movie shoot.
Here is a summary of the actors and their dates of death:
| Actor | Date of Death |
|---|---|
| Olofa Ina | January |
| Jimi Solanke | February 5 |
| Ethel Ekpe | February 7 |
| Sisi Quadri | March 1 |
| Mr. Ibu | March 2 |
| Andy Best | March 19 |
| Amaechi Muonagor | March 24 |
| Adejumoke Aderounmu | April 6 |
| Saratu Gidado | April 9 |
| Jnr Pope | April 10 |
10 Nollywood Legends We Lost Recently (Causes and Tributes)
Tributes and Condolences
Plenty tributes don pour in for di deceased actors. Plenty pipo enta social media to express dia sadness and sympathise wit di families of dose wey pass on.
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President Bola Tinubu for im condolence message to the family, colleagues and fans of di veteran Kannywod actress, Saratu Gidado, tok say di entertainment industry go miss di actress.
Labour Party presidential candidate for di 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, say di death of Junior Pope and Saratu Gidado na great loss to di entertainment industry. E tok sorry to di family of di actors.
“Ova di past two days, di Nigerian entertainment industry don suffer great losses wit di passing of two prominent figures: veteran Kannywood actress, Saratu Gidado and Junior Pope. Dis sudden losses represent significant tragedy for our entertainment industry,” former Senate president Bukola Saraki tok.
Celebrities like singer Kcee post say, "Dis dey too sad." Actress Yvonne Jegede, write, “I no fit believe am. I no wan believe am. I refuse to believe am.
Nigerians are beginning to worry. Over the last two weeks, we've been getting bombarded with news after news of famous people passing away. It's so devastating because for some of these people, we saw them not too long ago looking hail and hearty, even going for red carpet events. Only to be met with such sad news days later. While death is common and inevitable, it doesn't normally happen as back to back as it has been happening recently. Everybody wants to know: what's going on?
Other Notable Deaths in 2021
The Nigerian entertainment industry has suffered many losses in the past years. For example, in August 2021, several actors and prominent figures also passed away:
- Olu Michael: Nigerian actor Olu Michael was an actor and production manager who starred in a couple of Nollywood productions and worked closely with the likes of Funke Akindele and Ngozi Ezeonu. According to reports, he had complained of malaria before his sudden passing. He died on August 11, 2021.
- Captain Hosa Okunbo: Billionaire business magnate, investor, philanthropist and trained commercial pilot, Captain Hosa Okunbo died on the 7th of August, 2021. Captain Hosa who has been described as one of the wealthiest men from Edo state died at a hospital in London after a year long battle with Pancreatic cancer. He was aged 63 years old at the time of his death.
- Rich Oganiru: Now, it has been reported that yesterday on August 10th, 2021, the veteran actor passed away after months of battling disease.
- DSP Christian Udogu: On the 5th of August, the Rivers State Police Command announced the untimely death of its Deputy spokesperson, DSP Christian Udogu. According to spokesperson of the command, SP Nnamdi Omoni, DSP Udogu slumped and died at about 11:30 pm, on Wednesday night, August 4, before he could get any medical attention.
- Rachel Oniga: Highly beloved Nigerian actress Rachel Oniga who was seen not too long before her death at the My Village People movie premiere sadly passed away on Friday, July 30th of this year.
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