Nollywood has been plunged into a mourning mood as one of her highly respected thespians Chief Justus Esiri passed on, on Tuesday February 19, 2013. The veteran actor was confirmed dead by his musician son Dr. Sid on Twitter.
An unconfirmed report said the now late veteran actor had been battling secretly with diabetes which resulted in his sudden demise.
Before his death, Justus Esiri was a member of the Order of Niger (MON). He came into limelight in the early 80's through the popular Village Headmaster TV series. He has also featured in many interesting Nollywood movies. He also attended Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin, 1967 and the Ahrens School of Performing Arts in 1968. Justus Esiri, detoured into motion picture production in 1968 as a staff of the Schiller Theater, Berlin, Germany, where he stayed till 1976. During the 1977 FESTAC held in Lagos, he choreographed the Modern Dress exhibition.
But its so sad that in the space of two years Nollywood has recorded quite a number of deaths: First it was the demise of talented rapper DaGrin in 2010, then veteran actor Ashley Nwosu's death in 2011, then Yoruba actor Ishola Durojaiye in 2011, then Comedian CD John in 2011, then Koko Mansion star Chidinma Mbalaso in 2011, then Christy Essien Igbokwe in 2011, veteran actor Sam Loco Efe in 2011, London-based Yoruba actress and movie producer Yemisi Eleto in 2011, veteran actress Grenaldine Ekeocha in 2011, Eastern musician Mc Loph in 2011, veteran actors Enebeli Elebuwa and Pete Eneh in 2012. Then just this year: LKT's Manager Emmanuel Okoi died in January, and while we are still grappled in the shock of singer Goldie's death who passed on only 6 days ago, Justus Esiri is now the subject of our panegyric.
"What must have gone wrong in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry?" Questions are arising.
R.I.P Sir, You'll be greatly missed.
