Death is mostly an action. It is a language for the gloomy and solemn. As we enter the year 2025, those who have lost loved ones will be filled with sorrow and sadness. A remembrance of regret and grief.
Those who avoided its fatal impact are ecstatic, while those who were struck by it are devastated. The Nigerian entertainment industry has lost fourteen (14) celebrities, including young performers in the peak of their careers.
Here are short profiles of Nigerian celebrities who died in 2024
Charles Olumo
Abdulsalam Sanyaolu popularly known as Charles Olumo was born in July, 1923. He was a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was a prominent actor who featured mainly in Yoruba-language films. He reportedly began acting in 1953 at a church in Lagos. He died on 31st October, 2024 at the age of 101.
Chief Adedeji Aderemi
Chief Adedeji Aderemi popularly known as “Olofa Ina” was born on May 15, 1950. He was a native of Ede, Osun State. He was a versatile actor, rich in Yoruba idioms and expressly brilliant. He featured in a lot of Yoruba films and was a role model to many young actors who revere the Yoruba culture and tradition.
Until his death, Aderemi “Olofa Ina” was the Sobaloju of Edeland. He died at the age of 73 after a brief illness. He was a great actor whose contributions to the Yoruba movie industry can not be undermined.
Chief Jimi Solanke
Jimi Solanke was born on the 4th of July, 1942. He was a Nigerian film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet and playwright. He was a great story teller who warmed the hearts of his audience with strong diction and rare ability to control minds of his audience with tales.
He died on the 5th of February, 2024 after a brief illness. The contributions of Jimi Solanke to the arts and film industry would forever be remembered.
Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji
Tolani Quadri popularly known as Sisi Quadri was born on 25th December, 1979. He was a native of Iwo, a town in Osun State.
He was a Nigerian actor, director and filmmaker. He was a great comedian and Yoruba actor who gained fame for his beautiful performance in the December 4, 2004 film Seniyan Seranko. He was a popular veteran comic actor who dominated online skit-making and the Yoruba movie industry.
He died at the age of 44 on the 1st of March, 2024.
John Okafor
John Ikechukwu Okafor was born on 17th October, 1961. He was a native of Amuri, a town in Enugu State. Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu was a legendary Nigerian actor and comedian who appeared in more than 200 Nollywood films. His contributions to the Nigerian movie industry forever remain milestones.
He passed away at the age of 62 on the 2nd of March, 2024.
Ethel Aderemi
Ethel Aderemi was born on 30th November, 1963. She was a Nigerian actress who acted with passion. She was a Yoruba but acted mainly Yoruba films. Ethel was an aunt to Damilola Adegbite. She was known for her iconic role as ‘Segi’ in the popular TV series “Basi and Company”.
She was diagnosed with cancer in late 2023. Aderemi died of this illness in Sacramento, California, where she resided, on 5 February 2024, at the age of 60.
Amaechi Muonagor
Amaechi Muonagor was born on 20th August, 1962. He was a veteran Nigerian actor, comedian, and movie producer. He joined the Nigerian movie industry Nollywood in 1998 and had starred in many movies including Taboo 1 (1989), Aki and Pawpaw, Karishika (1998), and Aki na Ukwa (2002), Igodo (1999). He died at 61 after battling kidney disease.
Onyeka Onwenu
Onyeka Onwenu was born on 31st January, 1952. She was a native of Imo State. She was a Nigerian singer and songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist, politician, and X Factor series judge. She was a chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.
In 2013, she was appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development. She died at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music and advocacy.
Dayo Adewumi
Dayo Adewumi popularly known as Sule Suebebe was born in 1956. He was a native of Ekiti State. He was one of the most popular figures in the Yoruba film industry. He left a lasting legacy in Nollywood before his tragic death on June 12, 2024. He’s renowned for his outstanding performances and unique style. He died at 68 after a prolonged illness.
Stella Iwauegbu
Stella Ikwuegbu was born on 15 December 1959. She was a native of Enugu State. She started her acting career in the 1990s, appearing in numerous films such as ‘Spoiler,’ ‘Ukwa,’ ‘Sound of Love,’ ‘Holy Man,’ ‘Two Hearts,’ ‘Heart of Stone,’ and ‘Madam Koikoi,’ among others.
She passed away on Sunday, June 16 after battling with leg cancer.
Moses Korede Are
Evangelist Moses Korede Are was born on June 11th, 1959. He was the founder of Calvary Drama Ministries and revered figure in Nigeria’s gospel drama industry. Calvary Movies Drama Ministry International was founded on September 2, 1995. He featured in mainly gospel films and gained prominence with a character he played known as Baba Gbenro. He died following a prolonged struggle with liver disease.
Sharon Okpamen
Sharon Okpamen was born on February 16, 1989. She was a native of Abudu in Edo State. She began her acting career in 2010 with the film Touch Not My Crown, a role given to her by John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu. She produced her own film, Night Hustlers. According to reports, she fell into a coma and could not recover after giving birth.
Sharon Okpamen passed away on August 24, 2024.
Aderounmu Aderonke Adejumoke
Adejumoke was born on 26th of March, 1984. She was a native of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. She began acting in 2008 after featuring in Tunde Kelani’s movie, Arugba.
Her notable works are Alakada, a movie by Toyin Abraham; television series, Jenifa’s Diary and Industreet by Funke Akindele. She passed away at the age of 40 on 6th April, 2024.
Junior Pope Odonwodo
John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo was born on 7th of May, 1981. He was a Nigerian actor and film producer. He appeared in various Nollywood films, including Secret Adventures (2007), Bitter Generation (2010), and Nkoli Nwa Nsukka.
Pope died in a boat accident on the River Niger in Anambra State while traveling to Asaba, Nigeria, to shoot a movie.
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