It is just four months into 2024 yet Nollywood has said goodbye to several actors. Below are some prominent iconic and budding movie stars whose deaths have left an irreplaceable void in the film industry.
Junior Pope
On the evening of April 10, Junior Pope Odonwodo was pronounced dead despite valiant efforts to revive him.
While traveling to a movie site in Asaba, Delta state, Pope and a few other crew members perished in their boat after it overturned in the River Niger.
Both his colleagues and his fans were shocked to learn of his passing.
Pope, who seemed afraid of the river, posted a video of himself praying for a safe trip while traveling to the movie location not long before the boat disaster.
“Observe me moaning.The risk we take to keep you entertained: yesterday, we crossed the River 9ja without a life jacket. Who does that, Na wahoo? The Instagram photo was captioned by the actor.
Olofa Ina
Olofa Ina, 73, passed away on January 4. Ina, whose real name is Deji Aderemi, was born in Ede, Osun state, on May 15, 1950.
He was employed by the Ministry of Works and Transport in Ibadan from 1970 to 1977 as a grade II officer before retiring.
Sisi Quadri
On March 1, the well-known Yoruba actor Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji passed away.
The actor passed away at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso (LAUTECH), where he was well-known for his comedic roles and comments.
Mr. Ibu
On March 2, Mr. Ibu passed away, following the demise of Sisi Quadri. Actor John Okafor passed away at the age of 62 from cardiac arrest.
The actor fought a deadly illness before passing away, which resulted in the amputation of his limb.
Ibu began his acting career in the early 2000s, but his breakthrough performance came in the 2004 film “Mr. Ibu.”
A number of films, including “Coffin Producers,” “Husband Suppliers,” “International Players,” “Mr. Ibu in London,” and “Police Recruit,” also included him.
Ameachi Muonagor
After famous actor Ameachi Muonagor passed away in March, Nollywood was plunged into yet another period of grief.
Following a protracted fight with kidney illness, diabetes, and stroke, Muonagor passed dead at the age of 61.
The talented actor disclosed prior to his passing that he had been “paralysed for several months” on the left side of his body.
August 20, 1962, was Amaechi’s birthdate. He was originally from Idemili, in the state of Anambra.
Adeola Aderounmu
The Nigerian actress, who gained fame for her part in “Jenifa’s Diary,” a TV series starring Funke Akindele, died on April 6.
Following her brother Adeola Aderounmu’s announcement of her death, there were controversy surrounding Akindele’s alleged neglect of the actress during her illness.
Akindele refuted the accusation of neglect, saying instead that she was ignorant of the actress’s condition.
Saratu Gidado
Saratu Gidado, affectionately known as Daso, was a Kannywood actress who passed away early on April 9.
Gidado made his feature film debut in 2000 with Sarauniya Pictures’ “Linzami Da Wuta.”
She starred in more than 100 films and was well-known in the Hausa cinema business for more than 20 years.
