Flood Of Tributes as “Andrew” Exits

The crème de la crème of the Nigeria movie industry have paid their last respects to Enebeli Elebuwa, the veteran actor who died on 5 December after a protracted battle with stroke.

Elebuwa’s final journey began with a candle light procession and Night of Tributes held at celebrity hangout,  O’jez, National Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday. On Thursday, there was a Christian wake-keep at NTA Channel 10 ground in Yaba, Lagos.

Some of those in attendance at the Night of Tributes organised in Elebuwa’s honour, were Richard Mofe -Damijo, Zack Orji, Rita Dominic, Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu, Segun Arinze, Uche Jombo, Desmond Elliot and Ibinabo Fiberesima, National President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN.

Some of them spoke to BAYO ADETU and SADE ADESANYA during the event.

Halima Abubakar: He was an amazing father. He was somebody that gave us advice. When I heard about his death, it was so shocking. I think it is time for everybody in this industry to come together. We need to be united right away. The industry will miss Elebuwa as a father. He was a role model to many people. My mother knew him as Andrew and I grew up to know him as Andrew. I didn’t know his real name until I became an actress.

Segun Arinze: He was an icon, great actor, and the legacy he left behind has impacted on quite a number of young stars who watched him as Andrew. I fall in that category. He was a great father and uncle to all of us. I wish we could have something endorsed in his name as part of the efforts to immortalise him. The industry will miss his advice, sense of humour and the great respect that he commanded among the young stars, our generation.

Uche Jombo: I’m sure everybody has many things to say about Uncle Enebeli. He impacted so much on this industry and individuals. He was a legend and core professional. He is not forgotten and I’m sure he knows.

Stephanie Okereke: All I can say is that may his soul rest in peace. He contributed immensely to the growth of this industry. God should give his family the fortitude to bear the loss. I pray that this is the last time we will attend the burial of any of our colleagues in Jesus name.

Joseph Benjamin: We lost a veteran, an icon. Words cannot express how our hearts are feeling now, but we will keep forging ahead. I didn’t have the opportunity of working with him one-on-one, but I had the opportunity to meet him and he was interesting. He was an amazing man. He was one of the people who set the pace for what we are enjoying at the moment and he will forever live in our hearts. One lesson his death has taught us is the reason to be united. We need unity.

Benita Nzeribe: He was a great man. When I was a little girl, he was already a star. He was a pillar in the industry. Honestly, Nollywood has lost a great man, and that is why we are all here to mourn him, to pay our last respect. It was shocking when I received the news of his death. I knew he was ill, but didn’t know he would go so soon. The last time we spoke on the phone, he told me that he was getting better and would be back on set again. I made many movies with him on locations in Lagos, Asaba, Enugu and Akwa-Ibom. The lesson we have learnt from his death is that we need to pay more attention to our health, not just work and work. We should do necessary exercises and take necessary multivitamins.

Jibola Dabo: He was an exceptional artiste. He was beyond an actor; he was also a jazz musician. I can remember that before the sickness started showing very much, we were just talking about the possibility of him singing again because I play jazz percussion too. We were actually making plans on that, but God knows best. We had a cordial relationship. It wasn’t as if we were calling each other all the time, but we had been on set together many times and he was fantastic. Each time the industry needs somebody who understands what it means to be an artiste, we will know we have lost a genius. Most of the young ones don’t know what it means to be an actor. We have lost a rare gem, but then, such is life.

Desmond Elliot: It is sad when people work really hard a die in poverty. This can only happen in a country like Nigeria. It is sad. Uncle Enebeli was a big star with many years of experience. He worked in NTA and all that. It is a pity that the only thing his family can dwell on right now are his works and those of us who cherished him. I’m glad that he worked on a movie I produced, Kidnapped. I just pray to God to grant him eternal glory.

Ibinabo Fiberesima: Enebeli was a father and friend. He was a friend to everybody. He was just a good guy, you could not fault him. It’s a pity he has gone this way, but I’m happy we can celebrate him. I have introduced a health plan insurance scheme for actors and we pray everything works out well.

Paul Obazele: He was a professional. A man who would tell you that ‘this word is not pronounced like this.’ That is why I call him the teacher’s teacher. I remember when I directed him in 14th February, he played my father. He was almost working as a producer because he would give me good ideas on how the movie could be better. I count myself very privileged to have worked with him and he took me like his son, perhaps because of the relationship he had with my father.

Hakeem Rahman: Enebeli was quite popular right from the time he played Andrew. Now, he is gone and we are celebrating him. But he should have been celebrated while alive. I want to be celebrated while alive.