Delta Governor, Nollywood Mourn Enebeli Elebuwa

Veteran Nollywood actor Enebeli Elebuwa, who has been suffering from stroke for many months now, is dead. He died in a New Delhi, India hospital on Tuesday night.

His death was confirmed by National Secretary of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Abubakar Yakub.

The late actor hails from Upkane in Otagunu Local Government, Delta State. He lost his dad at a tender age and moved to Lagos to seek greener pastures.

He started acting in 1967 and the first soap opera he did was Mirror in the Sun. He also featured as a police officer in the Village Headmaster, which was the most popular soap opera back then. His first film which was on celluloid, ‘Dinner with the Devil’ produced by Sanya Dosumu, was in 1974.

He joined the movie industry fully in 1994. Formerly a producer/director in National Television Authority (NTA), he has been in the movie industry for over 30 years. He is married with four kids.

Former AGN President, Segun Arinze while reacting to his death said; “He inspired a generation of Nigerian artistes. He fought gallantly and he was a great actor. We all called him Andrew but unfortunately, he has checked out.”

“It was a big loss. He was a national hero and we will try our best to give him a befitting burial. I pray that God will give his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” Arinze said.

Before the deceased actor was flown to Indian, he was first taken to an Abuja private hospital on the bill of actress Stella Damasus.

But when his health did not improve, the decision to fly him abroad was taken.

Reports say the actor spoke from India some days back, claiming that his health was improving and that he would be back on his feet soon.

Reacting to the death of Enebeli Elebuwa, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said it was “painful and saddening.”

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, yesterday, said the governor was shocked that the concerted efforts by well-meaning Nigerians to save his life did not yield the desired result.

“I am particularly touched because as a renowned Deltan and talented Nollywood actor, Enebeli still had a lot to offer to Delta, to Nigeria and the entertainment world.

“I recall that the thespian came to limelight in the 80s when he played the character, Andrew, in the Federal Government campaign to get Nigerians to believe in Nigeria. And since then, he remained dominant in the entertainment industry.

“He prayed God Almighty to grant the family, Nigerians and the colleagues in the entertainment industry, the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.