Nollywood has been thrown into fresh mourning as producer/director, Taiwo Bello, has reportedly died in Lagos. Reports said he battled cancer for two months before succumbing on Friday. He died exactly a month after his last birthday, which was March 14. Bello collaborated with some of the big names in the Yoruba movie scene, including Funke Akindele, on some movie projects. He co-wrote the hit movie, Jenifa, with Akindele and worked with her on his 2010 movie, Omije Mi, reports Nigeria Entertainment Today. A leading Yoruba actress, Fathia Balogun, confirmed the development on Twitter on Saturday evening, saying, “May d soul of Taiwo Bello rest in peace.” Messages of condolence flowed on his Facebook page and on Twitter on Saturday. It was particularly chilling as some commentators linked it to a an alleged Easter Sunday warning by a Nigerian preacher, TB Joshua, that his congregation should “pray against the death of a male member of the (movie) industry.” A post on Best of Nollywood’s website said it confirmed the development from the President of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners, Jide Kosoko. The report said Bello had been bedridden for months with cancer and is survived by a wife and children. Before his death, Bello was the CEO/MD at Cinescope Concept. Other notable Nollywood personalities who have died in recent months include Ashley Nwosu, Sam Loco Efe, Ahmed Alasari and Geraldine Ekeocha.

Africagist.com