Four People Died In Two Weeks In Nigeria Entertainment Industry

Four People Died In Two Weeks - Nigeria Entertainment Industry

In what can be described as the knock of an unwanted visitor, the Nigerian entertainment industry has lost four people in the last two weeks.

The death of these stars came as the industry was still mourning others who lost their lives recently, including Pete Eneh who died of a leg infection on November 15, 2012 at a hospital in Enugu, Enebeli Elebuwa who died of stroke in December 2012 at a hospital in India and Sam LokoEfe who died about eighteen months ago.

Goldie
The death of the late pop singer, Goldie Harvey, came as a shock to her fans on Valentine’s Day.
Goldie, born Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey, died on Thursday February 14th in a Lagos hospital shortly after she arrived from United States where she attended the just concluded Grammy Award.

She had her early education in Lagos, first Green Springs Montessori Primary School then St. John’s College, Palm Grove, Lagos before proceeding to the University of Sunderland where she studied Business Management (B.Arts)
Goldie began her career in 2006 releasing her debut album “Spin Me” with four tracks which include ‘Komole’, ‘Nothing Has Changed’, ‘Shift’ and ‘Spin Me’.

The British-Nigerian pop artiste on the label of KennisMusic represented Nigeria in last year’s edition of Big Brother Africa (BBA).

In an official statement released by her record label, Kennis Music, the late singer complained of a severe headache shortly after her arrival from the United States.  “With a deep sense of loss, we announce the shocking death of our darling music star, Goldie Harvey. Goldie, 31, died on Thursday after she complained of a severe headache shortly after her arrival from the United States where she went to witness the Grammy Awards.

“She was rushed from her Park View, Ikoyi, and Lagos residence to her official hospital, Reddington, Victoria Island, Lagos, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival at exactly 7.30pm. We consider this period a gloomy moment for us and the entire Nigerian music industry in view of the circumstances in which she passed away; the abundance of talent she exhibited in her short but eventful music career and the various opportunities her trip to the United States of America would have availed her.

“She is survived by her father, step-mother, brothers and sisters,” the statement explained.

Lugard Onoyemu
While the industry was mourning the death of Goldie, another tragedy struck on Friday, February 15 as Nollywood actor, LugardOnoyemu was reported dead.

Late Onoyemu was the pioneer Secretary of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Lagos chapter. He reportedly slumped and died during football training at the National Stadium, Surulere in Lagos.

Confirming his death, the State Chairman of the Guild, Emeka Rising Ibe, said the deceased who had been battling a heart related ailment, was immediately rushed to the hospital but did not make it.

Onoyemu’s body has been deposited at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

Collins Ifeanyi Chukwu
Few days afterOnoyemu’s death, foremost Abuja based entertainer, ColinsIfeanyiChukwu, died at the Maitama General Hospital following a brief illness.

The news was confirmed yesterday by the chairman of the guild in Abuja, Agility Onwurah.
According to George Emine, media director to late Collins, “the news has thrown the Abuja chapter of AGN into mourning. The usually boisterous Access Garden, which is the official location of the guild’s activities, was full of tears and wailings.”

Emine revealed that a call placed to Collins wife was answered by her mother who said the wife;Blessing Collins was not in the right frame of mind to speak while confirming the sad news.

The media director further revealed that Collins’s sole heir, DoxaEfechukwuwas born on May 12, 2012, and was dedicated on Sunday July 22 at the Christ Chosen Church of God, Gwarimpa, Abuja, after which his parents treated entertainment practitioners to a lavish ceremony at their Jikwoyi residence.

Lamenting the sad news, Frank White, chairman of the Producers Guild of Nigeria, Abuja Chapter said, “It is quite unfortunate that the young lady has been widowed at this early age with such a little boy. This is a big loss, not only to the family, but to the entertainment industry in Abuja,”

The late Collins had a knack for producing gospel movies and has to his credit The Burning Flames, el-Gibor, Back to Bethel, and was before his death, working on another blockbuster.

He is one of the very successful Abuja based entertainers who have been able to prove that you don’t have to be in Lagos to make it in the industry.Until his death, he was the PRO elect of the Actors guild of Nigeria, AGN, Abuja chapter.

The most recent is that Justus Esiri who died on Tuesday night at the age of 71.