Death Shakes Nollywood as Four Actors die in one week
The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) on Monday expressed shock over the death of Nollywood actors, Saint Obi, Murphy Afolabi, Wasiu Adegbenro and Mukaila Adedigba.
The National President of TAMPAN, Bolaji Amusan, stated this in a statement issued in Lagos.
Amusan also condoled with the families of the departed colleagues and prayed to God to grant members the fortitude to bear the great loss.
He said, “TAMPAN received with shock and great disbelief the sad news of the untimely departure of popular Nollywood stars, Murphy Afolabi, Mukaila Adedigba, Wasiu Adegbenro and the English actor, Saint Obi.
“The news came to us as a rude shock at this time when TAMPAN is intensifying efforts toward improving on the welfare of members and the quality of life of the Nigerian artists.
“We pray that God grants them all eternal rest.”
Amusan also called on TAMPAN members and Nigerian artists generally to pay proper attention to their health.
A filmmaker and the president of a guild of Yoruba movie directors, Seun Olaiya, shared the sad news on a WhatsApp platform populated by filmmakers. He was corroborated by the Managing Director of the popular movie marketing company, Corporate Pictures Nigeria Limited, Abdullahi Abdulrasaq.
Olaiya wrote, “I swear to God just before the news, I was still hailing him. This is really a rude shock to me.”
Actress, Liz Da-Silva, posted a picture of a lit candle on Instagram and added the caption, “Hmm…Murfiano, as I call him. Oku nsunku oku (the dead is crying for the dead). Rest in peace is so difficult to write, but I wish you a peaceful exit as you face your next journey that no human can explain.”
Another actor, Kunle Afod, wrote, “Black weekend in the industry. We lost four people in the space of two days. Rest in peace, Murphy Afolabi, Saint Obi, Adidigba, and Techno Sound.”
An actor, Kenneth Nwadike, who described the late Obi as his uncle, wrote, “Thank you all for your prayers. My uncle was a good man, and he will be missed. Now, I have to continue the legacy for our family and I pray I make the impact he made as an actor. God rest your soul.”
Recalled that Saint Obi recently passed on at the age of 57 following a protracted illness.
Murphy Afolabi reportedly died at the age of 49 after complications from a slip in the bathroom on Sunday.
Wasiu Adegbenro, popularly known as “Techno”, died on May 14, while Mukaila Adedigba died on May 13.
