Entertainment
Seven Most Shocking Deaths In Nollywood In 2016
2016 had been a year of emotional turbulence in Nollywood even as the industry recorded great achievements such as awards and international recognitions for the stars as some got engagted, others got married and remarried, but sadly lives have been lost along the way.
Over 10 Nollywood veterans passed away dating as early as January 2016. Seven of the most shocking Nollywood deaths include:
Bukky Ajayi (82)
Veteran Nollywood Actress, Bukky Ajayi died on July 6, 2016 after an unsuccessful battle with heart related issues. Her big break into Nollywood was her role in the “Village Headmaster” in the ‘70s.
In march 2016, she was awarded the 2016 industry merit award at the 2016 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA)
Festus Aquebor
Popular Nollywood actor, Festus Aguebor died on February 23, 2016. His cause of death was undisclosed and was a terrible shock to all his fans. He was known for his roles in Igodo and ‘Family Contract’, he is believed to have been in his 70s.
Fred Ebhoria Ekata
Actor Fred died on May 17, 2016 from a kidney related disease which plagued him for a year and left him bed-ridden. He loved to play elderly roles in Nollywood films.
Henrietta Kosoko
Actress Henrietta, wife of veteran actor, Jide Kosoko died in June 2016. She became famous after her role in the Nollywood film ‘Omolade’ which was produced by her husband, Jide Kosoko.
Abdulateef Ashimiyu
Popularly known as Alfa Leteef died in June 2016. He was known for his roles in Odunlade Adekola’s movies. He died as a result of malaria.
Isiaka Adewale Najeem
He died on August 7, 2016 at a church in Lagos. Cause of his death is still a mystery and he was buried the same day.
Elder Maya Martins Njubiugbo
Elder Maya died on September 30, 2016. He passed on after months of battling with a liver illness.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.