The Delta Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Richard Mofe-Damijo, has blamed “excessive stress” for the death of veteran actor, Sam Loco Efe.

Efe, 66, died in a hotel in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday after a post-production work on the Unknown Prophet a film he directed

Mofe-Damijo told the News Agency of Nigeria in Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday that actors in the country were in the habit of working for endless hours without food or rest during production.

Creator and Producer of Hotel De Jordan, Jonathan Ihonde, said in Benin, that Efe, who played the role of Chief Ukabiri in the programme, was to be honoured before his death.

Ihonde said, “Now he is gone forever but the celebration will go on because his spirit will definitely be with us.”

Mofe-Damijo who is also a prominent Nollywood actor, said Efe had immersed himself in the production of the Unknown Prophet in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,thereby paying less attention to his medical problems.

“Sam Loco’s death should make actors in the country to reexamine the condition under which they work. He died of “excessive stress.”

“We rush to complete a whole load of work in a short period, doing so without food or rest,’’ Mofe-Damijo said.

He noted that remuneration in the industry had become good, but advised that the key issue which actors must address, was their working condition.

“We stay hungry working for long periods and without even an hour break and after all that, actors don’t bother to go for medical checks,’’he said.

Mofe-Damijo, who said Nigerian actors would miss the late Efe, explained that he grew up watching him(Efe) and Jimi Solanke in drama programmes on television.

He added that his desire to be like the Edo State-born veteran actor was one of the reasons that made him to study Theatre Arts.

The commissioner described the late actor’s demise as a painful loss to every actor and other Nigerians.

He said that Efe brought joy to many homes through his acting, but regretted that he did not live long enough to enjoy his fame and goodwill.

Mofe-Damijo assured that actors would rally round to give Efe a burial that would match his status in the film industry.

Ihonde described Efe as “ a consummate actor and a photogenic brain,” who was a great influence on younger actors.

He said, “Efe was a photogenic brain that could to take lines.He was a delight to producers and viewers alike. Give Sam Loco Efe a script, in a jiffy; he had photogenically taken in all his lines.

“He was dedicated to acting and was a great influence on younger actors. He loved the theatre and his life was that of total dedication to the theatre.”



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2011081052290

I have never heard of anyone ever dieing of "excessive stress". Hearth failure, dehydration, heat stroke or something else