By Seli Baisie
Nigeria’s film industry has suffered a tragic loss with the announcement of the passing of veteran Nollywood actress Cynthia Okereke.
Joseph Okechukwu, an actor and filmmaker, shared the sad news on Instagram, revealing that the 63-year-old actress passed away on Tuesday, June 11.
Okechukwu expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “REST IN PEACE, Nwanyi oma. I’m shattered beyond words.”
“The fact that I was about to pay for your flight ticket to come and finish what we started only to hear you went to be with Lord just last night is one of the toughest things I’ve had to deal with in recent times.”
Mr Okechukwu paid tribute to the veteran actress, describing her as an amazing person whom he had known for more than two decades.
“I pray I’m able to recover from the 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. Words fail me. May your gentle soul rest on till we meet again in glory,” he added.
This comes nearly a year after Cynthia Okereke and her colleague Clemson Cornell, aka Agbogidi, were kidnapped for a week while working in Enugu State in Nigeria.
After her release, Okereke expressed her gratitude for the efforts and prayers that contributed to her safe return.
She revealed the harrowing details of her captivity, enduring a week without food or water.
Despite the ordeal, she remained committed to her craft and expressed her dedication to continue working for her audience, stating,
“They thought I was going away, but I am not. For a good one week, I was there without water or food. But today, I say God to you be all the glory forever and ever,” she added.
