Nollywood actors mourn deceased veteran Olu Bakare

Fred Amata, president, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN), on Saturday said that the death of popular Nollywood actor, Olumide Bakare, would not stop his legacy from living-on in the minds of people, through the theatre.

Amata told NAN in Lagos that thespians, even after death, were always remembered because of their contributions to the entertainment industry.

Bakare, 65, died in the early hours of Saturday.

The actor who has been sick for more than a year was discharged from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, last year.

The Ibadan-based actor and former NTA staff, fondly called Chief Koko, on the heels of his role in a TV series, ‘Koko Close’, had been battling ill-health since 2013.

“It is sad that we have lost one of our veteran actors in the entertainment industry but we must give glory to God for He is the giver and taker of life.

“Although Bakare is dead, but he will continue to live on through his works and contributions to Nollywood, in the minds of his fans and friends,” he said.

Amata condoled with the family of the deceased and prayed that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Emeka Ibeh, President, Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), said, “I really do not know the deceased in person but from his works and contributions to the development of Nollywood, he would be greatly missed by his fans.

“I pray that God grants his family members the strength to bear the loss, at a time like this,” he said.

Ibeh urged thespians in the country to continue to impact positively in the entertainment industry, saying that their good works would definitely outlive them.

Afeez Oyetoro, a Nigerian comic actor popularly known as ‘Saka’, said that Bakare’s death came as a shock to him, although he was aware that the deceased was very sick.

Saka said that Bakare would be greatly missed in the entertainment industry and prayed for the family to have the strength to bear the loss.