Bruno Iwuoha, ace actor, dies at 68 — after battling diabetes

Bruno Iwuoha, ace Nollywood actor, has passed away at 68 after a prolonged battle with diabetes.

Monalisa Chinda Coker, the spokesperson for the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), broke the news in a statement.

It is understood that the Abia state-born actor died at the National Hospital Abuja in the early hours of Saturday where he had been in a coma for about three weeks.

“It is on a sad note that we announce the passing away of our elder colleague and active member of AGN Abuja, Bruno Obinna Iwuoha. He died in the early hours of this morning (10/04/2021) after a prolonged battle with diabetes,” the statement read.

“Bruno Iwuoha hails from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area in Umunumo Umuanunu kindred, Imo state. He was aged 68 years, survived by his wife and six children.”

The statement also quoted Ejezie Emeka Rollas, AGN’s national president, as commiserating with members of the body as well as the deceased’s friends and family.

Until his death, Iwuoha was a household name in the country’s movie landscape with strings of honours including ‘Best Supporting Actor’ award at the third Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

He was also a regular face in Nollywood in the early 2000s featuring in movies like ‘World Apart,’ ‘Magic Cap,’ ‘Keeping Close,’ ‘Another Bondage,’ ‘Faces Of Love,’ and ‘Days Of Hatred,’ among others.

Iwuoha’s demise further stretches the list of movie stars who have passed away since the dawn of the year.

Tributes have started to pour in for the deceased as words of demise continue to spread.

In a post on his Facebook page, Derik Zai, Nigerian filmmaker, described the deceased as a man with a difference and a great warrior who did not give up until his last breath.

“It’s so hard to say, good night daddy. We love you, but God loves you more. You are a man with a difference, a man of great sense of humour. Your heart is filled with love for humanity, you are a simple and easy-going man, a true lover of God,” he wrote.

“You are a great warrior, who has conquered death several times, but it pleases your father to call you home. Good night Daddy till we will meet again.”