The Nigerian movie industry Nollywood has been hit with yet another sad event, as veteran actress, Cynthia Okereke, has reportedly died.
Her death was announced by her colleague, Joseph Okechukwu, in a post on his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday.
Sharing a photo of the actress, Okechukwu said he was about to pay for Cynthia’s flight ticket to come to America before her death.
He wrote: “REST IN PEACE, Nwanyi oma. I’m shattered beyond words. The fact that I was about to pay for your flight ticket to come to finish what we started only to hear you went to be with Lord just last night is one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to deal with in recent times.
“I pray I’m able to recover from this shock. Life is really just a mist. One minute you have it, the next you don’t. For the more than 20 years that I’ve known you, you’ve been such an amazing, decent and lovely soul to be around.
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“I never imagined you’d exit so unceremoniously. Words fail me. Sleep on, Cynthia. May your gentle soul rest on till we meet again in glory.”
Last year, Okereke was kidnapped in Enugu alongside fellow actor Clemson Cornel, but they were later released unhurt by their abductors days after they were declared missing.
Okereke’s death is the latest in the movie industry that have seen some of its stars pass on in recent times. Saint Obi, Don Brymo, Murphy Afolabi, Femi Ogunrobi (Papa Ajasco) and Chikezie Uwazie are some of the high-profile names that recently passed.
In August last year, the actress and colleague Clemson Cornel (aka Agbogidi) were reportedly abducted.
This was announced by Monalisa Chinda, AGN’s Director of Communications on her social media page.
According to her, the family of the actors have reported that they haven’t returned home since they left a film location at Ozalla Town, Enugu state.
The duo were later released to their families.
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In a statement, the Director of Communications of the Guild, Monalisa Chinda Coker, stated that the kidnappers released the actors after being touched by the “spirit of God”.
She thanked the public for their support amid the trying times.
“The elated National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejezie Emeka Rollas announced their release by the abductors who were touched by the spirit of God to set them free and unharmed.”
“On behalf of their families, the National President expressed our heartfelt appreciation to the Nollywood industry and Nigerians at large for the support and prayers during the trying period,” Madam Coker noted.