Entertainment

Iyabo Oko, 12 Entertainers Who Have Passed Away This Year

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2023

As the first half of the year comes to an end, the entertainment industry has indeed suffered some heavy blows, as quite a number of practitioners have been lost to the cold hands of death, with the most recent being a veteran actress, Sidikat Odukanwi, aka Iyabo Oko. Saturday Beats takes a look at the departed

Sidikat Odukanwi

A veteran actress, Sidikat Odukanwi, aka Iyabo Oko, had battled with ill health for some years, which made her solicit financial assistance at a point.

Announcing her death on Thursday, June 29, 2023, her daughter, Bisi Aisha, wrote on Instagram, “It is well, mummy. Rest in peace, Wurami.”

Recall that the actress was rumoured to have died in 2021 and 2022. However, in an interview with Saturday Beats in September 2021, Oko refuted the claims. She said, “I am doing fine. I am not dead. I am very much alive. I won’t die (yet). It is not my portion.”

In another interview, one of her daughters, Olamide, had told Saturday Beats that her mother was diagnosed with an ischaemic stroke. She had said, “What affected my mum was the fact that she was not going for her medical check-ups. She lives very far from the hospital. When she had her last ‘attack’, I had to get a motorcycle to convey her to the junction before I could get a cab to pick her. She was diagnosed with an ischaemic stroke some years back. The first health scare happened about five years ago, but she did not want anyone to know about it.”

Brymo Uchegbu

Another veteran actor, Brymo Uchegbu, aka Don Brymo, passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The 56-year-old Anambra State-born role interpreter was said to have died in his sleep.

Confirming the news, his colleague and friend, Mayor Ofoegbu, wrote on Facebook, “Plan for tomorrow but live for today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I wrote those lines on my WhatsApp status yesterday evening. My man, my five and six, Don Brymo Uchegbu, passed away in his sleep. I received the shocking news this morning and had to verify it from his family. It’s hard to say goodbye.”

Afeez Agoro

At 7ft 4 inches tall, Afeez Agoro was believed to be the tallest man in Nigeria before his demise on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. He reportedly died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, following some health complications.

Before his death, Agoro, who was also an actor, had undergone a successful hip surgery after he sought funds from members of the public.

Murphy Afolabi

A popular actor, Murphy Afolabi, passed away on May 14, 2023, in Lagos. This was nine days after he celebrated his 49th birthday on May 5. The actor had suffered a fall in his bathroom before he died that morning.

Chikezie Uwazie

Another actor, Chikezie Uwazie, died in the United States of America after he reportedly underwent a second brain surgery. His colleague, Obey Etok, revealed the news on Instagram on May 14, 2023. She wrote, “I cannot imagine I am posting this. Chikezie Uwazie is gone after a second brain surgery. I’m so shocked (sic) to get this news this evening.

“I thought you told me you were going to the States for greener pastures. You promised to come back some years back, but I did not see you. I cannot believe you are gone, but God knows best. Rest on, Chyko.”

Mukaila Adedigba

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the movie industry was thrown into mourning following the demise of a veteran Yoruba actor, Mukaila Adedigba, aka Sikiru Adeshina. His death was announced by actor and filmmaker, Kunle Afod.

Chris Mba

A veteran singer, Chris Mba, died on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital after a long battle with heart disease. He was known in the 1980s for his jerry curl and hit songs such as ‘Funky Situation’, ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ and ‘Love Everlasting’.

The General Manager of Premier Music, Michael Odiong, which Mba was signed to, broke the news on Instagram. He wrote, “The management of Premier Records Limited express sadness on the death of one of its artistes, Chris Mba, who passed away after a long battle with heart issues. We condole with the family and pray God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Saint Obi

A popular actor, Obinna Nwafor, aka Saint Obi, died on May 7, 2023, following an undisclosed ailment. He was said to have been embattled before his death.

The late actor and filmmaker was known for his roles in movies and TV series such as ‘State of Emergency’, ‘Candle Light’, ‘Sakobi’ and ‘Last Party’. He was a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Jos, Plateau State.

Fadeyi Oloro

Veteran actor, Ojo Arowosafe, aka Fadeyi Oloro, was another talent that kicked the bucket this year. He had battled ill health for years before he passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the age of 66.

His death was confirmed by an actor and comedian, Bayegun Oluwatoyin, aka Woli Arole, who wrote on Instagram, “(I am) so happy I reached out to you and we played our part, and laughed together. (I am) so happy we were able to show our support. Rest in peace the legend, Fadeyi Oloro. Let’s check up on people when they are alive. Let’s show love when people can feel it. Let’s help when it can be seen.”

Favour Daniels

Favour Daniels, an actress and skit maker, passed away on February 5, 2023, after she was involved in a boating accident. She was 26.

Femi Ogunrombi

An actor, Femi Ogunrombi, who once played the role of ‘Papa Ajasco’ in the popular sitcom, ‘Papa Ajasco and Company’, passed away on January 14, 2023.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

An Imo State-born filmmaker and founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, Peace Osigwe, died on January 9, 2023, in a hospital in Lagos.

Her death shook in the industry, as many practitioners offered their condolences.

Sunday Akinola

Yet another veteran actor, Sunday Akinola, aka Baba Feyikogbon, passed away on January 9, 2023, at the age of 80 after suffering kidney failure. He gained prominence when he featured in a sitcom titled, ‘Feyikogbon’, which was popular in the 1980s and 1990s.

He had sought financial assistance from the public in 2019 when he said he needed N30m to travel abroad to treat kidney failure and hypertension.

He also stated that his career only made him popular, without making him wealthy.
PUNCH

Entertainment

Why I Prefer To Raise Kids In Nigeria – M.I Abaga

Published

1 day ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

Nigerian rapper and music executive, M.I Abaga, has revealed that he would prefer to raise his future children in Nigeria because of the country’s strong sense of family and community.

Speaking in a recent interview, the hip-hop star said Nigeria offers a more supportive environment for raising children compared to some Western countries.

According to him, the communal lifestyle in Nigeria makes parenting easier, as relatives are often available to help.

He said, “There are a lot of things appealing about home, especially because we’re already ingrained in that system. There’s a lot of support as well. I feel it’s very difficult for parents here.

“But if you have family, now you have enough people that can stay at home and support you. But it’s not easy, man.”

M.I contrasted this with life abroad, particularly in the United States, where many people work long hours and family members may not be available to offer help.

He added that while he understands the appeal of raising kids overseas, Nigeria provides a stronger foundation for children to understand their roots and culture before gaining exposure abroad.

Although M.I noted that he is not yet making concrete family plans, he emphasized that Nigeria’s close-knit culture remains one of its greatest advantages when it comes to raising children.

Entertainment

Oscar-winning Actress Diane Keaton Dead At 79 – Report

Published

5 days ago

October 11, 2025

Editor

Actress Diane Keaton, known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1977’s “Annie Hall” and her role in “The Godfather” films, has died at age 79, People magazine reported Saturday.

Details were not immediately available, and Keaton’s loved ones have asked for privacy, a family spokesperson told People, which confirmed that the actress died in California.

Keaton, a style icon, was a frequent collaborator of director Woody Allen, portraying the titular character in “Annie Hall,” the charming girlfriend of Allen’s comic Alvy Singer.

The film also garnered Oscars for best picture, best director and best original screenplay, cementing Keaton’s place as one of the industry’s top actresses and an offbeat style icon as well.

The actress made her mark co-starring in eight Allen movies, from “Play in Again Sam” (1972) to “Manhattan” (1979) and “Manhattan Murder Mystery” (1993).

As the Hollywood sexual harassment scandals detonated in late 2017, cascading from producer Harvey Weinstein to heavyweight actors like Kevin Spacey, old accusations of child sex abuse against Allen by his adoptive daughter Dylan, resurfaced.

“Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him,” Keaton tweeted in January 2018.

A BAFTA and Golden Globe winner, Keaton scored Oscar nominations three other times for best actress, for “Reds,” “Marvin’s Room” and “Something’s Gotta Give.”

In “The Godfather” films, she played Kay Adams, the girlfriend and eventual wife of Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone.

Late in her career, Keaton starred in two movies about ageing women: “Book Club” (2018), with its message that love has no age, and “Poms” (2019).

“Poms” is the story of Martha, a terminally ill woman who moves to a retirement community to die, but winds up forming a cheerleading squad made up of female senior citizens.

As for ageing, Keaton said in a 2019 interview with AFP that life actually got easier.

“I think so, because what have you got to lose? It’s like it’s the truth. That’s what it is. You face it, we talk about it,” she said.

Born Diane Hall in Los Angeles on January 5, 1946, Keaton was romantically involved with Allen, Pacino and Warren Beatty, but never married.

“Most people in the movies get married at some point, and then they divorce. But I’ve never even got married. I am (a) failure,” she joked in the 2019 interview.

Did she regret it? “I don’t think about it a lot, but I’m aware of the fact that I’m unusual in that regard, and maybe I did miss out on something — but then, nobody can have everything, right?”

She is survived by her two children, Dexter and Duke.
AFP

Entertainment

Why I Can’t Quit Music – Erigga

Published

6 days ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Nigerian rapper Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly known as Erigga, has revealed that he can’t quit music, stressing that he is doing it for passion and not for financial gains.

In an interview with Hip TV, Erigga noted that every year, some of his colleagues leave the music industry due to various circumstances.

However, he said he can’t quit because music is his life.

The rapper emphasised that his passion for music supersedes the financial and social benefits.

“Every year, people leave music for real-life issues. But I can’t stop. Music is life. It’s what keeps me going. Take the business and everything out of it, it’s more of a passion. I can’t disappoint my fans,” Erigga said.