Nollywood mourns the fall of 11 of its strong pillars who passed away within the first half of this year, the Nigerian movie association listed them according to the date of their passing and appreciates their immense contribution to the growth of the industry , reminding the general public though they are gone their legacy lives on.
They include:
1. Mrs. Folake Aremu (Orisabunmi)
Veteran Yoruba actress, Mrs. Folake Aremu popularly called Orisabunmi, died on January 5, 2021.
Her death, which threw the theatre industry into sadness, was confirmed by a family source.
The veteran actress, who hailed from Olla in Kwara State, died at 60 in her residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Her death came four months after the demise of her ex-husband, Jimoh Aliu popularly called Aworo under whose tutelage she rose to prominence in the film industry.
2. Jim Lawson Maduike
Veteran actor, Jim Lawson Maduike died on January 9, 2021.
The Imo-born thespian gave up the ghost after complaining of severe body pains. He joined the film industry in 2004 where he starred in several films.
3. David Mela
David Mela was a fast-rising actor. He died from an undisclosed ailment on January 11, 2021.
The young actor was said to be passing through a hard time in his life as revealed by a post before his untimely death.
4. Dan Nkoloagu
Veteran actor Dan Nkoloagu died on January 22, 2021.
His son, Dan Nkoloagu Jnr, announced his death on his Facebook page.
He wrote: “IT WAS A BLACK FRIDAY FOR US YESTERDAY as my Dad left us without saying goodbye.”
Nkoloagu, who died at 83, was popular for playing the role of a native doctor in many Igbo movies.
5. Ernest Asuzu
Veteran actor Ernest Asuzu died on evening of Tuesday January 26, 2021
His wife, Jennifer Asuzu, who confirmed the sad incident to The Nation, said he fainted on Tuesday evening and never woke up.
6. Victor Decker
Veteran actor, Victor Decker, was found dead in his apartment on Monday February 15, 2021, by his neighbours at about 5 pm.
The Nation gathered Decker’s neighbours broke down the door to his apartment before they found his lifeless decomposed body in his sitting room.
He was 72 but the cause remains unknown.
Mayor of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abuja, Jesse Nazareth, confirmed the incident.
7. Sadiq Daba
Veteran broadcaster Sadiq Daba died on Wednesday March 3, 2021.
The Nation learnt he battled with leukemia and prostate cancer before his demise.
Confirming his death, popular filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, said he spoke with his wife and son who confirmed his passage to him.
8. Bruno Iwuoha
Veteran actor, Bruno Iwuoha, died on Friday April 10, 2021, after a prolonged battle with diabetes.
Bruno Iwuoha hails from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area in Umunumo Umuanunu kindred, Imo state.
He was 68 years and survived by his wife and six children.
9. Abiodun Aleja
Nollywood actor Abiodun Aleja died on Friday, May 21, 2021.
Aleja took ill and was admitted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where he breathed his last.
Aleja was a contributor to several Nollywood flicks and a collaborator with Kunle Afolayan and Tunde Kelani.
10. Rachel Oniga
Veteran actress Rachel Oniga died on Friday July 30, 2021
The ‘Owo Blow’ actress, whose acting career began in 1993, died at about 10 pm, according to family sources.
Oniga, a native of Eku, Delta State, was born in Ebutte-Metta, Lagos on May 23, 1957. After she was made popular by her role in a Yoruba family drama, Owo Blow, she also featured in other films and drama series like The Wedding Party, 30 Days in Atlanta, Doctor Bello and the popular Wale Adenuga’s television series, Super Story, to mention a few.
