Nollywood, and indeed, the entire theatre industry in Nigeria was thrown into deep mourning when news broke that light has dimmed on an illustrious member of the tribe —Columbus Irisoanga. The news of the passing of the actor, dramatist, theatre scholar and theatre lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt was announced by fellow actress and social activist, Hilda Dokubo, in an emotional Instagram post on February 6, 2025. Dokubo had expressed her condolences thus: “Our uncle Coli @colu_mbusirisoanga has gone to be with the Lord. Ikoli eh dein na mu. There can’t be a shortage of angels in heaven that the few here are called home like this na! This one is heavy on Uniport, Rivers State, and Nollywood.”

An actor’s actor, dancer, choreographer, designer, instrumentalist and an accomplished academic, Irosanga, who was popular amongst friends and colleagues as Ikoli or Iyoo was a multi-talented artiste. The Okrika, Rivers State-born theatrical giant and scholar was roundly regarded as a jack of all theatre trades and a master of all.

Master of the craft both on stage and on screen, Irisoanga’s impressive career as a theatre and film artiste spanned over five decades during which he made significant contributions to theatre practice, scholarship and education. As an actor and as evident in critically acclaimed movies such as Stigma, Royal Reward, Deceit of the gods, Igbudu, Isakaba, Secret Pledge, Evil Kingdom, and Dons in Abuja, Irisoanga breathed real life to characters he interpreted both on stage and screen. Indeed he showcased remarkable talent and versatility that his performance will continue to inspire generations of actors and theatre enthusiasts.

A recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Nollywood and Nigerian theatre, Irisoanga’s impact in theatre scholarship and on theatre education cannot be overstated. Apart from being a widely published theatre scholar, Irisoanga taught and mentored countless students, many of whom have gone on to become leading figures in the Nigerian theatre industry.

As the Nigerian theatre and film industry continue to mourn the loss of this giant, Moviedom harvests three of the countless tributes that have been offered to celebrate his memory. In one of the early tributes shared on social media, playwright, choreographer, dramatist, dancer and Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Professor Bakare Ojo Rasaki, mourned his long standing colleague whom he described as a ‘man of rhythms’ thus: “There goes one of Africa’s most complete artistes. Columbus Irisoanga, dancer, choreographer, actor, designer, instrumentalist, arts trainer, etc was a giant on the stage and on the screen. I first met him in 1987 during a dance workshop at his base in University of Port Harcourt. I was mesmerised by his uncommon mastery of Ijaw/ Kalabari movements and his interpretation of the Niger Delta Non-verbal cues. I could swear his waist had no bones!  Of course, like the Yoruba would say “Awo ri Awo” meaning: the deep soon recognises the deep, we immediately struck a partnership that later led to many collaborations especially with Ray Emeana and ABC Duruaku during my days as Consultant Choreographer for Imo State owned Ominimo Dance Troupe. Beyond his art, Columbus was a perfect gentleman. Specially endowed with a gift of humility and a high sense of humour. Rest in peace, great man of Theatre. As you dance into ancestry, may your kind reincarnate.”

Veteran actor and dramatist, Bimbo Manuel, in his tribute, titled ‘Ikoli: The Uncelebrated King of Theatre’, which was shared across social media platforms, described Ikoli as a perfectionist. Manuel wrote: “He was called Ikoli. We assumed that was his given name. So, we, too, called him Ikoli. It didn’t make sense at the time to prefix it with Mr or Uncle or Boda. He was just Ikoli.  That was until we learned that his real name was Columbus Irisoanga and Ikoli was just the name of character of Ikoli Harcourt White, he played so well it became his name. He was acting teacher, dance and choreography teacher, friend, uncle and guardian all rolled in one, for many of us. He played each of the roles well, as he did everything, he set his mind to. The late great Professor Ola Gladstone Rotimi was the very best director Nigeria ever produced. Most dramatists who knew him or saw his works acknowledge this. He was also an uncompromising man when it came to theater and the quality of every department.

He would not settle for anything but your best and then his! He chose Columbus Irisoanga to play the lead character of Ikoli Harcourt White in his iconic drama, Hopes of the Living Dead. No one else played Ikoli till Ola Rotimi died. He would not consider anyone else. No one could match him anyway, so no one bothered to challenge him for the role. He was just Ikoli, in vocal timber, carriage, interpretation, he just lived it. He was Ikoli.  As a teacher, he was calm, yet firm, ingenious in his teaching style that sucks you in without you realizing a creative genius. He was so competent, the perfectionist Ola Rotimi never looked in once on his class to the best of my knowledge, to check if he was teaching quality. Those who straddled Nollywood as colossi in its early days owe him everything they know about acting and performance  – Hilda Dokubo, Francis Duru, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Daniel Wilson, Rita Dominics, Monalisa Chinda, Bimbo Manuel, Basorge Tariah Jnr, Lancelot Imasuen and a whole generation of others too many to list here! He was a pride to Nigerian art, to the Crab Theatre, to University of Port Harcourt and to Rivers State. His people in Okrika land glow in pride of him as a son who did them proud. That was the man who passed away quietly in Port Harcourt. Good night Ikoli. Sleep well Columbus.”

There is a tribute from the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC). Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation Ali Nuhu commiserated with the family, film industry practitioners, friends and fans of veteran Nollywood Actor and Lecturer, Columbus Irisoanga. ‘’The veteran thespian, known for his iconic portrayal and perfect fit for the role of Chief Priest in numerous Nollywood films, breathed his last on February 6, 2025. The late Columbus Irisoanga, among others, will be remembered for his stellar performance as Igbudu in the blockbuster movie, Isakaba. His dedication to his craft and his ability to bring characters to life earned him the admiration of several movie watchers in Nigeria and beyond. In addition to his illustrious acting career, Columbus was a passionate educator. Until his demise, he was a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, mentoring upcoming thespians in stage and screen acting. “His wealth of experience and knowledge will be deeply missed by his students and colleagues,” Nuhu said, adding that Irosanga’s death has left another void within the ranks of veteran stakeholders.

“We mourn the loss of a talented actor, a devoted educator, and a loving individual,” Nuhu surmised. Burial arrangement for Columbus Irosanga will be as announced by the family. But as the Nigerian theatre and film community mourns the loss of the theatre giant, his remarkable body of works and the countless mentees he has groomed will continue to celebrate his memory.