Moviedom 2025: Practitioners that will be missing in action

The grim ripper descended on Nollywood in 2024 and it took with it some prominent and not so prominent figures in the industry. From Junior Pope to John Okafor aka Ibu, practitioners found themselves mourning month after month until the year closed. Here are some of the practitioners who will be missing in action in 2025

John Okafor Aka Mr. Ibu
THE Iconic Nollywood comic actor, John Okafor, will be missing in action in 2025. The actor of vast credit passed on in March of 2024 and was buried in June in his native town of Amuri, Nkanu West Council of Enugu State. Tears flowed freely when news broke that the popular actor whose artistry has had a profound impact on the industry had passed owing to cardiac arrest, following complications from the amputation of one of his legs. Regarded as one of Nollywood’s top rated comic acts, Okafor, star of movies such as Mr.Ibu, Ibu in London, 9 Wives and A Fool At Forty, is roundly admired for playing comic roles so well that the audience always find it difficult to draw the line between the naturally witty fellow John Okafor and the personage he represents, which are incidentally stupid and hilariously imbecile characters. Without doubt, Okafor was until his untimely demise, one of Nigeria’s most admired comic characters who had steeply climbed to become one of the recognizable faces in Nollywood.

Ayo Emmanuel
NOLLYWOOD was thrown into deep shock and mourning when news broke that Ayo Emmanuel had passed. Tears flowed freely across Nollywood. Tribute followed for the Idanre, Ondo-born actor who a close family source revealed lost the battle against prostate cancer. A graduate of Physical and Health education from the University of Lagos, who was born and raised in Lagos, for most producers in Nollywood, there was no one good enough to play the cop if it was not the near six feet tall and dark-complexioned Ayo Emmanuel. Indeed, Emmanuel fitted snugly into the character of a cop that he was until his death, simply regarded as ‘Nollywood Police Officer’. Emmanuel lived the cop role so well that most of his fans even said the footballer and model turned-actor looked and appeared even in real life as a cop.

Emmanuel France
SCREEN and real-life light dimmed on notable Nigerian veteran actor Emmanuel France. ‘Uncle Emmanuel’, as the grand old actor, who was famous for playing a sorcerer or devious uncle in Nollywood films, was called by younger colleagues reportedly passed on in October at 83. Ghana born but Nigeria raised actor, the irrepressible actor and star of countless Nollywood and Ghanaian movies including Emergency Wedding and Holy Oracle did nothing outside acting since he took the decision to venture into the make belief vocation in 1969. A die-hard thespian and son of the first Sarkin Sabon Gari of Kano State, the veteran actor was renowned for his roles in films such as Domitilla (1996), The Curfew (2021) and Men of the Century – Hook or Crook- (2024).

Charles Olumo aka Baba Agbako
PA Charles Olumo, whose real name was Alhaji Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, passed on in October 2024 at the age of 101. Popular as Charles Olumo or ‘Agbako’, the veteran actor who was born in July 1923 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, began his acting career in 1953. He was popular for playing the role of a villain in numerous productions.

Amaechi Muanagor
VETERAN actor, Ameachi Muonagor, passed on at 62 after a protracted illness. Muonagor known for playing the lead role in the groundbreaking comic movie, Aki Nu Ukwa, was a native of Obosi village in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Muonagor had his early education at St. Mary’s Primary School, Obosi, and at Oraifite Grammar School, Anambra State. An alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he studied economics and graduated in 1987, Muonagor had a short stint at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the completion of the compulsory National Youth Service Scheme before he ventured into acting.

Chief Adedeji Aderemi aka Olofa Ina
VETERAN Nollywood actor, Chief Deji Akinremi, popularly known as ‘Olofa Ina’, passed in January 2024 at the age of 73. Founder of the Olofa Ina Theatre Group in 1972, Chief Aderemi was one of the pioneers of the staging of epic historical plays about Yoruba warlords, many of which were televised by Nigerian Television, Ibadan, in the 1970s. He made name for starring in stage and screen productions such as Mayegun, Ejo Ngboro, Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, Ija Omode, Idaamu Otunba and Ewe Orun.

Quadri Oyebamiji aka Sisi Quadri
FANS and players of the Nigerian film industry mourned the passing of a folk film star, Quadri Oyebamiji, who was affectionately called ‘Sisi Quadri’. Sisi Quadri reportedly passed on March 1, 2024. Popular for his versatility and wit, the acclaimed master of ceremonies and star of ‘Koto Aiye’ by Alhaji Yekini Ajileye died after a prolonged illness. An entertainer and content creator, Quadri became notable amongst fans of movies made in Yoruba language when he featured in “Seniyan Seranko,” released on 4 December 2004.

Junior Pope Odonwodo
THE news of his demise alongside some of his colleagues threw the Nollywood industry into deep mourning. Born in 1984 in Bamenda, Cameroon, Junior Pope was a notable Nollywood actor who was regarded for his inimitable role portrayal. Star of movies such as Wrong Initiation and Eye of the Eagle, the grim ripper struck and claimed the 39 years old father of three children in a boat mishap on their his return from a movie set in Delta state. The incident reportedly claimed the lives of four others, including three crew members.
Others on the list… Jimi Solanke, Ethel Ekpe, Zulu Adigwe, Reginald Ebere, etc