12th April, 2013
Movie stars recently paid their last respect to Chief Justus Esiri, a septuagenarian theatre legend who passed away in the late hours of 19 February.
On Monday, a Special Tribute Night was organised in honour of the late legendary actor. It was held at the open-space arena of O’jez Restaurant, a rendezvous located in the premises of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
It was a dense and somber gathering anchored by two celebrated Nigerian actors/comedians, Julius Agwu and Okey McAnthony aka Okey Bakassi. When the duo mounted the podium, they ignited the venue with their rich bouquet of comic deliveries. Among the impressive guest list were artistes, fans, family of the deceased and well-wishers. It was a night of tributes as celebrities spoke glowingly about the late Esiri.
“We worked together and he is the kind of person that will call and ask if you are behaving well. He enjoyed life and he was also serious about the traditional and cultural things that are our own; whatever you think of our culture, he insisted that you get to know it. He tells people how to think,” veteran actor, Olu Jacobs told P.M.NEWS Entertainment Cafe.
Jacobs explained how his late colleague called him to complain of his son who wanted to take to music after concluding medical studies. He noted that he was delighted that despite the earlier reservations, Esiri died a fulfilled man having seen his son make a success of his music career. Jacob noted that Esiri was a thorough professional who embraced those who approached him with open minds, and he mentored such people to greatness.
The matronly queen of the screen, Joke Silva, who fondly called Esiri ‘Uncle’ reminisced that Esiri enjoyed his work as an entertainer and deserved bounteous comfort from doing it. “He was a man who was comfortable both on stage and in front of the camera, and he had an incredible sense of humour. He didn’t take himself particularly too serious and he was always looking out for opportunities of easing dense moments,” she said.
Joke further opined that Esiri had a distinctive career because of his fatherly disposition and the quality of effort he put in to realize any project he was involved in.
Besides the torrents of tributes that were interspersed with band performances, there was a praise session led by ageless diva, Kate Henshaw. Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Gloria Ibru whose band provided the music, engaged guests in a dance session which Henshaw said was to celebrate the life of “Uncle Justus so that we won’t be ungrateful to God.” Speaker after speaker, especially the younger artistes, apart from eulogizing Chief Esiri, prayed against what they called “The spirit of untimely death” lurking in the industry and striking consistently in the last couple of years.
Ernest Obi remembers the deceased on two important levels. Having worked closely on different sets, Obi reported that Esiri was adept at role interpretation and his rendition of scripts. According to him, this rubbed-off on young directors as well as other actors who shared the stage or set with him.
Obi also recalled that Esiri played the role of a father to him (Obi) during his marriage. “Uncle Justus was one man I invited to my marriage via text message. He came and took over the role of my father,” he said, as the crowd let-off sighs. “I remember when I was going to marry, I invited him through text message and he attended. In fact, he did what my father would have done. He took the responsibility and saw that everything worked out well. That is what I call humility. He didn’t mind that I didn’t come to his house to inform him or invite him very specially.”
Obi added that: “If I write a script in twenty years’ time, I will still have cause to say I wish Uncle Justus was here. This is because he would interpret the role perfectly as an actor. I worked with him as an actor and a director. Uncle Justus wasn’t a difficult person. He was someone who spoke up when he saw anything wrong, unlike other actors who tolerate some things that aren’t exactly right. He would tell you ‘don’t work with someone who can’t act because such a person will bring your work down. And remember, you don’t have business with such a person,” Obi added.
Tunji Bamisigbin has worked with the deceased longer than many others who paid their respects. According to the filmmaker, who is also a qualified legal practitioner, it was Esiri’s commitment, professional conduct and longevity in the industry that accords him a pride of place in the Nigerian movie world and the arts generally. “I have been in the movie industry for the past 37years and it has been up and down. Justus Esiri was one of those people who nurtured the industry to what it is now. I’m grateful that I’m also a part of those who laid the foundation for the growth of the movie industry in this country. I have known him for ages. I worked with him even while I was pursuing a programme in school. We have always met along the line and he was one of those who advised me to do what I can do best. He was one of those who trained me 37 years ago. He is a thoroughbred performer.”
Segun Arinze and David Odegha among other Nollywood stars identified Esiri as a role model who groomed them to successful careers in the movies.
Esiri, Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, was famous for his role as the Village Headmaster in the now rested popular television series of the same name. Born on 20 November, 1942 in Oria-Abraka, Delta State, he attended Urhobo College, Effurun in the then Bendel State, Warri. He was at the Maximillan University, Munich, German, 1964, Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin, 1967 and the Ahrens School of Performing Arts, 1968.
Esiri started his acting career in Germany. He was the only Nigerian male artiste performing on stage between 1968 and 1969. He also worked for Voice of Nigeria, German Service as a translator. He was performing on stage in Germany when a delegation from Nigeria invited him home to perform in a government sponsored programme.
The veteran actor had won several awards including THEMA Awards, NTA Honours Awards and AMAA Awards. He was also the star actor in acclaimed productions such as Wasted Years, Forever, The Prize, Six Demons, Corridors of Power, Last Night, The Tyrant, The Investigation and The Ghost. He was also reputed to have performed on more TV Network drama programmes than any Nigerian actor.
Esiri is the father of Nigerian fast-rising musician, Dr. Sid. Asked in an interview how he felt about his son becoming a musician, he said; “I just called him and told him both the negative and positive aspects of the entertainment industry and he has to be focused. I scolded but gave him my blessing and he picked up.”
“We in the entertainment industry are heartbroken as we announce the passing of Chief Justus Esiri OON popularly known as the Village Headmaster, following a complication from diabetes,” said Azuh Amatus, Editor, Entertainment Express.
Chief Justus Esiri OON, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. An Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), The OtunAmuludun of the Source in Ile-IfeOsun State,and Veteran Nollywood Actor.
He is survived by wife, Mrs. Omiete Esiri, Children; Mrs. Ophlia Edewor, Mrs. Ejiro Efijemueh, Mr. Justus Esiri Jnr, Dr. Sidney Esiri (Dr Sid), Mr. Andrew Esiri, Miss Tobor Esiri and grand Children.
—Bayo Adetu, Nkrumah Bankong-Obi & Motunrayo Idris