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Romanus ‘Natty’ Amuta: Depleting ranks of original cast of new masquerade

By Shaibu Husseini
19 February 2022   |   2:42 am
It used to be one of the most-watched situational comedy series as long as it ran on the network service of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Masquerade or New Masquerade as it was later renamed

It used to be one of the most watched situational comedy series as long as it ran on the network service of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Masquerade or New Masquerade as it was later renamed, was one of the few brilliant family oriented programmes on television.

Romanus ‘Natty’ Amuta


Viewers would skip meals to watch the slap- stick styled comedy that paraded a talented cast that included late James Iroha (Gringory Akabogu), late Claude Eke (Jegede Shokoya); Chika Okpalla (Chief Zebrudaya); Tony Akposheri (Zakky); Lizzy Eveome (Ovuleria); late Christy Essien-Igbokwe (Akpena); late Davis Offor (Clarus); and Romanus Amuta (Natty). Even when the series was rested and resuscitated and then finally rested in the early 2000’s, fans drooled over the talented cast that offered them 30 minutes of rib cracking humour. They also found the catchy sound track of the series, Eddie Quansa, the song by the legendary Peacock Guitar Band, which the series made a lot more popular, unforgettable.

But as fans drooled over the cast, some of whom moved on after New Masquerade was rested and found a steady spot in Nollywood, loyal fans of the sitcom found themselves mourning the death of some members of the cast— Veronica Njoku who played Ramota; Claude Eke who played Chief Jegede Skokoya; creator of the series James Iroha who featured as ‘Giringory;’ Davies Offor who played ‘Clarus;’ and Christy Essien-Igbokwe who played ‘Apena’.

By February 8, only four of the original cast members of the series- Lizzy Evoeme ‘Ovularia,’ Romanus Amuta ‘Natty’, Chika Okpala, as Chief Zebrudaya, and Tony Akposheri as ‘Zaky’ were alive and kicking. But the music changed on February 9, when news broke that 79 years old Romanus Amuta, one the last of the remaining four major cast members who played the greedy and gluttonous Natty on the series, had passed on. Amuta reportedly died after a protracted sickness.

Chukwuma Amuta, first son of the deceased, confirmed the death of the veteran actor whom Amuta Junior described as “a caring father who did his best to raise his children.”

Amuta’s death leaves Lizzy Evoeme, Chika Okpala and Tony Akposheri as the surviving members of the original cast of the New Masquerade.

Tributes poured in from home and abroad for the veteran who actor joined Nollywood as soon as the New Masquerade was rested. Paying tribute to the deceased, Chief Chika Okpala who also became famous for his role as Chief Zebrudaya on the series said, “It is a sad loss to the New Masquerade family. Natty (Romanus Amuta) was never found wanting in the interpretation of his role as Natty. He played his role perfectly. In fact, of all the sitcoms that they are producing these days, I have not seen anybody that has ‘long throat’ like Natty. He knew the demands of the character and played it to the hilt.”

He continued: “Nobody is happy that death is snatching our colleagues away so early. Our prayer is that we stay longer and healthier here on earth so that we can keep contributing our quotas to the well-being of society. But when it comes to death, there’s absolutely nothing we can do than to pay tributes to the deceased. I pray for the repose of his soul and for God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Also, paying tribute Lizzy Evoeme a.k.a Ovuleria said, “De Romanus was a good actor who played his role in the sitcom very well. I feel sad that people are going home just like that, especially when it involves people you know very well, people, who lived, worked and played with you. It’s sad but what can we do? We cannot question God. He is all knowing. We return the glory to Him for the Life De Romanus lived.”

A native of Ukana in the Udi Local Council of Enugu State, the elder artiste had a stint as an advert representative with the defunct Daily Times Newspapers before he ventured into acting on television.

In one of his interviews, Romanus recalled how he got on the set of the comic series: “I had gone to canvass for adverts when I ran into Akwari James Iroha, who created and wrote New Masquerade and who was already popular as gringory. As soon as he saw me and heard me speak, he said I would be good for a role on the series. So, he talked me into taking up the role of Natty. I accepted his invitation to audition and that was how I got the role and the rest as they say is history.”

A thoroughbred professional, Romanus who is survived by his wife, Cordelia, and six children, moved on after New Masquerade was rested and he found a good spot in the Nigerian motion picture industry. He featured in some Nollywood movies including Ijele, Lion Finger and Eagles Bride, but his acting career suffered a setback after he had a stroke first in 2006 and in 2009. Both cases left him bedridden.

He managed to get out of bed in 2010, but he could only manage to limp and could not stand unaided. From then and until he passed on, rumours suggesting he had died swirled on numerous occasions, but his family would quickly dismiss the claims as ‘fallacious rumour’. But on February 9, the Amuta’s confirmed that indeed, the elder actor had passed on after a protracted illness.

In one of his last interviews, Romanus complained that his major source of worry is the fact that he has been left to his fate despite several overtures to government officials and political appointees through notable personalities in Enugu State.

“I have reached out to my friends, but it appears they have abandoned me to die. For my people (his relatives), they have tried, but they can’t kill themselves. My children have also done their best for me. I believe that if government comes to help me my problems will be over. But the more they delay in coming, the more my body dies, and soon the entire Natty will just die and leave you people. If they (government) can send me to any of the best hospitals in the world, I will surely get better and bounce back to life.”

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