These are obviously not the best of
times for the Nigerian movie industry,
Nollywood. So far this year, the
industry has lost four actors; Bisi
Komolafe, Lugard Onoyemu, Collins
Ifeanyichukwu and Justus Esiri. On 1 January, the industry was hit
by the shocking demise of young
actress, Bisi Komolafe. The actress,
who belonged to the Yoruba
sector of Nollywood, died after
she had a miscarriage. There were plans to fly her out for proper
medical treatment when she
passed on. Former Secretary General of AGN,
Lugard Onoyemu, slumped and died
at the National Stadium, Surulere at
about 5:30p.m. on 14 February. He
will be buried today.
A day after Lugard’s death, Collins
Ifeanyichukwu, an actor and movie
producer based in Abuja also died. A
registered member of AGN,
Ifeanyichukwu died on 15 February at
the Maitama General Hospital after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife,
Blessing Collins, and less than a year-
old son, Doxa Efechukwu Collins. Apparently, the industry was yet to
recover from the sad news of these
thespians when the biggest one
happened; legendary actor, Justus
Esiri, 70, passed on this week. These developments have further
heightened the fear among Nigerian
actors. Most of them have admitted
that the successive deaths are
spiritual, and perhaps, a call for them
to move closer to God.
National President of AGN, Ibinabo
Fiberesima, said: “With the incessant
deaths in the entertainment industry
this year, it is high time we put a stop
to it. We must surrender our lives to
Almighty God irrespective of our religious beliefs. Let’s come together
and embark on prayers and commit
our industry and practitioners to
God. We need serious prayers. We
must reject death in the
entertainment industry. Join us irrespective of your status, age,
beliefs, profession, etc. Let’s pray.” The guild’s Secretary General,
Abubakar Yakub, while speaking with
P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe, simply
said: “I don’t understand what is
going on anymore. Why has death
focused on our industry?” Two years ago, following the
successive deaths of some iconic
figures in the movie industry, the
General Overseer of the Redeemed
Christian Church of God, RCCG,
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, organised a special prayer session for the
entertainers. The event, which was
held at the church’s headquarters in
Ebute-Metta, Lagos, was aimed at
praying against deaths and sickness
among Nigerian entertainers. Some of the actors in attendance
were Segun Arinze, Iya Rainbow,
Hakeem Rahman, Jide Kosoko, Dele
Odule, Femi Ogedengbe, Mike Bamiloye
and wife, Pa Kasumu and the now late
Justus Esiri to mention a few. Early this year, the Igbo Filmmakers
Forum also gathered members at
White House Hall, Ikeja, where they
prayed fervently against deaths in
the industry. But death has continued
to bare its fangs.
www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/02/22/nollywood-loses-4-actors-in-2-months/