Nigerians were thrown into a state of grief following the loss of two of their beloved actors.
News had filtered in on Saturday that a veteran actor, Saint Obi, had passed on at the age of 57 on May 7th 2023.
The actor, known for his roles in Candle Light, State of Emergency, Sakobii, among others died after a protracted illness.
He was said to have battled the undisclosed sickness for months before he finally succumbed to the cold hands of death.
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A report by a blogger, EmDee David, claimed that the actor passed away in Jos, Plateau State, some days ago, but there has been no confirmation or denial of that from his family, colleagues and other sources.
Barley after the tears have dried, the news of Murphy Afolabi’s death hit the media.
Afolabi, who acted in Yoruba movies, was said to have fallen in the bathroom at his house in Ikorodu, Lagos, on Sunday morning, May 14, 2023.
A filmmaker and the president of a guild of Yoruba movie directors, Seun Olaiya, shared the sad news on a WhatsApp platform populated by filmmakers. He was corroborated by the Managing Director of the popular movie marketing company, Corporate Pictures Nigeria Limited, Abdullahi Abdulrasaq.
Here is how Nigerians paid tribute to the deceased actors:
MURPHY AFOLABI:
You graced our screen with your loving intonation. Our light skinned ibile. I see you in movies and start laughing waiting for you to speak. Your incantations with Ibadan accent was top notch. You gave us memes that will stand the test of time. Murphy Afolabi, Rest easy. 🕯🕯🕯 pic.twitter.com/1iZYjEvdcE
— Lola Okunrin (@lollypeezle) May 14, 2023
SAINT OBI:
Signing a copy of my book, Shunpiking: No Shortcuts To God, for Obinna Nwafor, better known as Saint Obi, in my office at Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. The gentlest and most noble Nollywood actor I ever met. No airs about him. Very down to earth.… pic.twitter.com/5PDRUFsxQq
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 13, 2023
I remember meeting Obinna Nwafor (Saint Obi) on a flight to London in 1999. He was together with Liz Benson. He was so nice to my siblings and I. 24 years later, I can still remember how jovial he was and how happy he made us feel. RIP Legend! pic.twitter.com/fyDooNw4ke
— Sanusi Dantata (@SasDantata) May 13, 2023
RIP Saint Obi 🕊️
The childhood memories were great, never forgetting or letting go of State of emergency 🙏 pic.twitter.com/21R4CaHaGl
— Weirdo (@heis_weird) May 13, 2023