20th February, 2013
Members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Wednesday bemoaned the death of a veteran actor, Justus Esiri.
In their reactions to the development in various interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, some of the executive members of the guild expressed concern over the number of departed colleagues in recent times.
Miss Ibinabo Fiberesima, the President of the Guild, described Esiri as a “father”, who mentored her in the Nollywood industry, adding that she would miss the erudite actor. She also described the death of the veteran actor as shocking, saying that the actor was fantastic and very supportive to the guild.
Mr Agility Onwurah, the Chairman, AGN Abuja chapter, described Esiri’s death was one death too many, adding that the latest death marked the fourth within a week. “This is a big blow to the industry, it is getting too bad and I am short of words,“ he said.
Ibi Andrew, National Vice President of the Guild, North Central Zone, said that Esiri’s death was a great disaster and a bad signal in the Nolly wood industry.
He said: “It is a bad omen; I am surprised at the sudden death of this great actor. “The death of actors has been on the rise since we took over this administration “.
According to Andrew, the industry is trying to contend with the barrage of bad news coming from the entertainment industry. He advised members of the industry to seek “the face of God and his divine intervention in the affairs of the industry.”
Justus Esiri died on February 18, from an undisclosed ailment.
The other members of the Guild that died recently were Collins Ifeanyi, an Abuja based Nollywood actor, who died on February 15 and Lugard Onoyemu, Pioneer member, Lagos State chapter of AGN, who died on February 14.
Also on Valentine day, Goldie Harvey, an entertainer, also died.