by Rachel Ogbu

Veteran Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elebuwa, died at the New Delhi hospital in India after battling with a prolonged aliment. The news of his death is coming at a time when the film industry is still mourning the death of another Nollywood actor, Pete Eneh.

Despite still being shaken, Nollywood stakeholders have sent condolence messages to his family. Elebuwa was married with four kids.

President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Segun Arinze, confirmed Elebuwa’s death. “He fought gallantly. He was a great actor. We all called him Andrew but unfortunately, he has checked out. We thank the Delta State Government which stood by him. We also thank the Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe-Damijo, for his efforts,” he said.

Richard Mofe-Damijo said he spoke to him last week and he was in great spirits and was thanking the government for taking care of him. “He told me he was much better and walking with his feet. In fact we were even beginning to think of his return. He will be greatly missed. He was a fantastic human being and a great actor. He was a gentle giant.

I was close to him and I will miss his gentle and sweet personality because he was a great man, as well as an accomplished actor,” he said.

Another actor, Zack Orji described Elebuwa’s death as regrettable. ‘‘His death is a shock. May his soul rest in peace,’’ he said.
 
Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who commiserated with the family of the deceased and the entertainment industry, added that Elebuwa’s  death was “painful and saddening”.
 
Uduaghan, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sunny Ogefere, said he could’nt believe that the efforts made by Nigerians to save his life did not yield the desired result.

 Joseph Benjamin, actor and host of the popular MTN Project Fame said it was a great loss to the film industry.
 
“He is most respected and cherished and although we never worked together, I have the utmost and profound respect for him. He is one of the greatest and he will surely be missed. My heart goes out to his family.”
 
Actress Ebube Nwagbo, also paid tribute; “It’s such a sad news after all the struggles. But God knows best. It’s such a big loss to Nollywood and beyond. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
 
On tweeter, Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker reacted to Elebuwa’s death :”I have worked with Enebeli Elebuwa, he was a fantastic actor, may his soul rest in peace. Nollywood has lost another great one.”

In a special tribute, iROKOtv said: “…Many people will be saddened by the death of this veteran actor, and in memory of his death, iROKOtv, the world’s largest distributor of Nollywood entertainment is making “Save Our Souls” featuring Enebeli Elebuwa, Kenneth Okonkwo, Oby Edozie and Segun Arinze, FREE.”

Elebuwa featured in several movies, including Domitila, Oracle and Mirror in the Sun.

Watch movie; ‘Dry my tears 2’ here: