The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has organised a candlelight procession to pay tribute to late Nollywood actors John Okafor, popularly known as ‘Mr Ibu’, Amaechi Muonagor and Zulu Adigwe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the thespians, alongside fans and friends of the late veterans, gathered for the procession at the Unity Fountain on Monday night in Abuja.

The procession was led by Emeka Rollas, National President of the AGN, alongside veteran actors Kenneth Okonkwo, Zack Orji, and Sidney Idiala, among others.

In a heartfelt display of respect and emotions, the attendees took turns to pay tribute to the fallen heroes for their contributions to the Nigerian film industry.

Mercy Salma, FCT mayor of AGN, said the event was to show appreciation and honour for the life and times of the late actors.

“These are Nollywood veterans that put smiles in the faces of Nigerians during their lifetime, so we should celebrate their legacies and memories.

“They have both the young and the old Nigerians, and even across Africa and beyond as their fans.”

“So this procession is to show that we love them and appreciate their sacrifices and contributions to our industry and nation at large,” she said.

In his speech, Emeka Rollas said the procession was to demonstrate the solidarity that exists in the actors guild and to reflect on the moments they shared with the late thespians.

According to the AGN helmsman, the candlelight service was also an occasion for actors to reflect on how they want to be remembered at the end of their works.

“This is a season of sorrow for us at the AGN, our hearts are filled with grief over the loss of our three veteran members.

“But as the saying goes, when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

“The Late John Okafor, Amaechi Monaugor and Zulu Adigwe lived life that exemplified brilliance and inspired emulation.

“They also lived a life that burned so that others’ paths were lit, and they made impact on the society through their profession.

“Today we are here to honour them, not only by profoundly feeling and expressing our loss, but also to remember their amazing personalities.

“They all played unique and special roles in all of our lives and the acting profession and they were loyal colleagues and special friends to many of us.

“Today, we honour these men as we recall special moments ,they were living proof of how fine a person can be, caring hearts to their friends and colleagues, loving and devoted father to their children.

“They gave their all in their acting careers as they worked with passion, integrity and energy and our hearts and prayers are with their families at this most difficult time,” he added.

On his part, Kenneth Okonkwo, the foremost Nollywood actor said their commitment to their profession was part of what made the Nigerian film industry a toast of fans.

According to him, they were driven by a passion to join the industry which was why they rose to their peak and made indelible marks. He urged young artists to focus on value delivery and shun the rush for quick monetary gains for them to make their marks in the industry.

“As one of the pioneer actors in the industry, I was connected personally to each of them that came to Nollywood at that time, and I can tell you that they were all driven by passion for acting.

“Wherever they are today, we should appreciate what they have contributed towards they growth and development of our industry,” he stated.

NAN reports that the high point of the event was prayers for the repose of the departed souls and for the Nollywood industry, and as well as prayers for Nigeria.

Media personality Toke Makinwa has strongly criticised the traditional practice of using tribal marks as a means of identification, calling it a form of cruelty inflicted upon children without their consent.

In a post on her X account on June 16, 2024, Makinwa recalled her recent encounter with an influencer who had tribal marks, which prompted her to think about the age-old practice.

She wrote, “Today I saw a beautiful beauty influencer with tribal marks and it made me think about the cruelty that culture brought upon us. Marking a child without his/her consent as a means of identification is Evil, I know our parents didn’t know any better but damnnnn!!!!”

In a series of posts that followed, she emphasised that while she appreciates the beauty of individuals with tribal marks, her issue lies in the lack of consent involved in marking children for identification purposes.

“Thank God it’s abolished now. My grandma had tribal marks too. Some on her face and her arms, I wonder what life was like when she was younger walking around with it, though I’m sure a lot of people around her had the same but thank God it’s cancelled now,” she said in another post.

After receiving backlash from some X users, Makinwa re-affirmed in another post, that her disapproval was with the lack of consent involved and not the beauty of the marks.

“It’s not the beauty or lack of but the lack of consent. But yeah, I’ve seen a couple of beautiful people with tribal marks,” the media personality explained.

When an X user slammed Makinwa and compared tribal marks to tattoos, she retorted saying, “Tattoos are a choice, marking a child without their consent is not the same. You rest, weirdo.”

Stella Ikwuegbu, the ace Nigerian actress, has passed away.

Her demise was confirmed by Stanley Nwoko, the movie producer, in a post via Instagram on Sunday.

Nwoko revealed that Ikwuegbu had been battling leg cancer before her death.

“Popular Nollywood actress/veteran Mrs Stella Ikwuegbu is dead,” he wrote.

“The Veteran Actress left this world today after battling with leg cancer. Rest well madam Stella.”

In another post, the movie producer shared a video of the actress’ daughter mourning her mum.

Ijele Christy Ejiofor, another actress, also expressed her grief on Instagram.

“Ukwu Gi Dia. Why? You scaled through several accidents and all. Eniure/Achiere came, and in less than a week, it killed you. Oh my… I feel bad,” she wrote.

“Stella Ikwuegbu, nenu Jennifer, you did not enjoy a thing. Why? Just why?”

Born in Enugu state, Ikwuegbu began her acting career in 1990 after graduating from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu state.

She appeared in numerous Nollywood films, including ‘Spoiler’, ‘Ukwa’, ‘Sound of Love’, ‘Holy Man’, ‘Two Hearts’, ‘Heart of Stone’, and ‘Madam Koikoi’.

In addition to her acting career, Ikwuegbu was a businesswoman and owned a restaurant called ‘The Film Bar’.

She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Ikwuegbu’s death follows closely on the heels of the passing of Dayo Adewunmi, the veteran Yoruba actor also known as Sule Suebebe.

Suebebe died at the age of 68.