In a deep state of concern and sorrow, renowned Yoruba
Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, directed
his prayers towards the heavens,
seeking divine intervention to halt the alarming series of deaths that had
befallen the Nigerian movie industry.
News had spread like wildfire about the tragic demise of two
more beloved stars within the Nollywood community, Wunmi Olowokandi and
Chikezie Uwazie. These unfortunate losses marked the fifth and sixth deaths
within the industry in a shockingly short span of time, leaving many in grief
and disbelief.
Overwhelmed by the mounting tragedy, Odunlade took to his
Instagram page to share his heartfelt plea with his followers. He beseeched the
Almighty, acknowledging His unquestionable authority, and fervently prayed for
God to shut the door on untimely deaths within the movie industry and within
the lives of all those involved in it.
The weight of sorrow was heavy, and the list of departed
Nollywood stars seemed to grow relentlessly. Among those who had already bid
their final farewells were Adedigba Mukail, a veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor
known by his stage name Alafin Oro. Alafin Oro’s passing occurred on a somber
Saturday, May 13, 2023. Throughout his illustrious career, he had left an indelible
mark on the industry, celebrated for his philosophical insights and his deep
understanding of Yoruba culture.
Another luminary who had joined the celestial realm was Saint
Obi, an actor and movie producer whose real name was Obinna Nwafor. Although
the news of his demise broke over the weekend, it was reported that Saint Obi
had actually passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023. The 57-year-old thespian
breathed his last in the residence of one of his relatives, located on
Metropolitan Street in Tudun Wada, Jos. His lifeless body was subsequently
conveyed to the morgue at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
Tragedy struck once again when Murphy Afolabi, a versatile
actor and movie producer, met a fatal fate at the age of 49. It was an untimely
end that came as a result of a dreadful fall in his bathroom, within the
confines of his residence in Ikorodu, Lagos State. Just days after celebrating
his 49th birthday on May 5, 2023, Murphy Afolabi breathed his last in the early
hours of Sunday, May 14.
The losses within the industry continued to mount, as Tech
Sound, a popular Nollywood actor and sound technician known by his stage name,
also succumbed to the cruel hands of fate on that same Sunday, May 14. His
colleagues, Kunle Afod and Kolawole, broke the news of his passing, adding to
the ever-growing list of beloved stars who had departed from the world all too
soon.
The Nigerian movie industry was gripped by a pervasive sense
of mourning and disbelief as these tragic deaths unfolded. The void left by
these cherished actors would be felt deeply, their legacies forever imprinted
in the hearts and memories of their colleagues and fans alike. In the face of
such sorrow, Odunlade Adekola’s prayer served as a beacon of hope, a plea for
divine intervention to put an end to the string of untimely deaths that had
cast a dark shadow over the world of Nollywood.
