Anyiam-Osigwe, Mohbad, Saint Obi… celebrities who died in 2023

In 2023, the Nigerian entertainment space said goodbye to several influential celebrities in music, movies, and beyond — including Mohbad, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, and Saint Obi — who passed away.

As the year comes to a close, TheCable Lifestyle remembers the celebrities who died in 2023.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe battled with an undisclosed ailment that eventually led to her death in January.

Anyiam-Osigwe passed away at St. Nicolas Hospital in Lagos after being in a coma. Showbiz executives also held a candle night procession in Enugu in honour of the legacy of the late filmmaker.

She was the founder of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

Speaking with TheCable Lifestyle in 2021, the filmmaker said the major reason AMAA was birthed in 2005 was “to start something that separates the best of our filmmakers from the pool, where we can communicate, network, talk about our achievements and really just have fun with black filmmakers around the world”.

Mohbad 

Ilerioluwa ‘Mohbad‘ Aloba, the singer, died under questionable circumstances on September 12. The 27-year-old was buried the next day. 

But on September 21, Mohbad’s body was exhumed by the police for autopsy. The results of the autopsy are yet to be released to the public.

The police named Feyisayo Ogedengbe, an auxiliary nurse who injected Mohbad, as “the prime suspect” in the singer’s death. 

Femi Ogunrombi ‘Papa Ajasco’

Femi Ogunrombi, the actor who played the lead character in the sitcom ‘Papa Ajasco’, died on January 15. 

Ogunrombi, before his death, served as a music director at the National Troupe of Nigeria.

He was the director of studies at the Pencil Film and Television Institute, Lagos.

The actor also worked as a musicologist for more than three decades, having studied music and drama at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

Murphy Afolabi

Murphy Afolabi will surely be missed among his colleagues, friends, and fans in the Nollywood industry. Afolabi was skillful in the delivery and interpretation of scripts in Yoruba movies.

The Yoruba actor passed away in May — about nine days after his 49th birthday. He was said to have suffered from typhoid and malaria before he slumped in his bathroom.  

Obinna Nwafor (Saint Obi)

Obinna Nwafor, the actor popularly known as Saint Obi, was said to have died on May 7. His family, however, confirmed his demise over a week later.

Before his death, Obi battled the aftermath of his failed marriage to Lynda Saint-Nwafor. The actor was said to have faced a wave of attacks in his marriage by his wife’s brothers, which resulted in him leaving their marital home.

Brymo Uchegbu

Brymo Uchegbu, the Nollywood actor, suffered a stroke before his eventual demise on June 15 at the age of 56.

Multiple reports claimed Uchegbu collapsed in his hotel room in Ahoada, Rivers state after returning from a film set.

He was said to have suffered a partial stroke and a high sugar level.

Fadeyi Oloro 

Ojo Arowosafe, the ace actor popularly known as Fadeyi Oloro, struggled with his health for years to the extent that he solicited funds on social media. 

He eventually died on March 7 at the age of 66. 

For decades, Arowosafe held the character Fadeyi Oloro from ‘Arelu’, the 1980s movie. 

Fadeyi Oloro had an oratory skill in reciting Yoruba incantations.

Chris Mba

Chris Mba, the ace pop singer, passed away on May 3, 2023, after a long battle with heart issues. 

The ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ hitmaker hit the airwaves in the 80s with his classic songs. 

Former president Muhammadu Buhari led an array of well-wishers who condoled with the family of Mba. 

Yemi ‘Suara’ Adeyemi

The ace actor popularly known as Suara died on September 24. The cause of his death was however not revealed.

Adeyemi was famous for his role in the Super Story series ‘Oh Father! Oh Daughter!’ — where he had two wives; Buky Wright and Sola Shobowale.

He also starred in ‘Lekki Wives’ and took roles in several other movies.

Suara was renowned for his stage and screen performances.

Dejumo Lewis 

Last week, Dejumo Lewis, the ace Nigerian actor, died at the age of 80.

The movie star gained fame following his role as Kabiyesi (king) in ‘The Village Headmaster’, the longest-running Nigerian soap opera — which aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from 1968 to 1988.

Lewis also starred in ‘Agogo Eewo’ (2002), a sequel to the 1999 film, written by Akunwunmi Isola and produced by Tunde Kelani.

The ace actor took roles in several Yoruba and English movies including ‘A Place in the Stars’, ‘Crossroads’, and ‘Power of 1’.