Nollywood Mourns Actor Festus Aguebor

Nollywood has been thrown into mourning with the news of the death of its long-standing member, Mr. Festus Aguebor. The veteran actor who is notable for his well-kept grey beards reportedly passed on last week after a brief illness.

Focused, resilient and passionate about the acting profession, the bearded Aguebor is one actor who has paid his dues and whose simple precepts are roundly admired. Most critics agree that he ranks amongst some of the most consistent hands in Nollywood. A father figure to a number of young practitioners Uncle Festus as they call him has put in well over 35 years of meritorious service as an actor on television and on home video. Despite his age and frail looks, the Edo state born actor till death, remained an active player in the sector.

A native of Benin City in Edo State, Uncle Festus was educated at the Holy Cross Primary School, Mission road Benin City and at the prestigious Immaculate Conception College also in Benin City. Aguebor secured a job as a teacher soon as he completed his early education. He taught for a few years at Uzama Modern School before he sought for and eventually transferred his services in 1963 to the audit department of the defunct Mid-Western region.

But Aguebor still moved on, this time to the private sector. He secured a place to work, about two years later, precisely in 1965 at the United African Company (UAC). It was from the UAC that Aguebor dropped anchor ‘on all form of paid employment’ and decided this time to be on his own. Aguebor had ample time to air his other career interests. But it was acting that was top on his career wish list. But he needed a platform upon which to launch out, a reason he joined the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) drama department where he was part of the stations major drama presentations.

Star of the long rested television series ‘For Better for Worst’ and ‘Village Headmaster’, Oguebor joined Nollywood when movie production took the shine off television. As a known face, Aguebor didn’t have any problem breaking in. Producers then found him a ready hand. They sought roles for him and as they did, the actor who has featured in over 100 movie productions fitted snugly into them.