Following the deaths of veteran actors John Okafor, better known as Mr. Ibu, and Quadri Oyebamiji, better known as Sisi Quadri, last week, President Bola Tinubu has sent out a condolence message.
Oyebamiji, a Yoruba actor in Nollywood, passed away on Friday. He would have turned 44 on December 25, 2023. A few of his colleagues in the Yoruba film industry announced his passing.
Another Nollywood actor, Okafor, also referred to as Mr. Ibu, passed away on Saturday.
This happened after the seasoned actor’s illness and need for financial support were reported in October 2023.
In a statement released on Sunday, Tinubu, through his Special Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, noted that the president condoles with the families of these “gifted thespians who brought joy and relief to millions of Nigerians by the exercise of their geniuses.”
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The statement further noted, “The President exhorts the bereaved to take solace in the truth that even though these beloved Nigerians have passed on, they will always live through their works which will remain an inspiration and a fount of good cheer for many.
“The President also commiserates with the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), and the entire creative community, assuring them of his support, thoughts, and prayers in this time of grief.
“President Tinubu prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and comfort for all those in mourning.”
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, is one of the people who has also sent condolences regarding the actors’ passing.
Obi expressed his condolences in a message shared on his X account, which was formerly Twitter, on Sunday. He said that Mr. Ibu’s passing was a great loss for the country as well as the entertainment industry.
