The leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) are putting plans together to give one of their departed colleagues and veteran actor, Ashley Nwosu a befitting burial rites.
Ashley died last Wednesday after he fell into coma at the Military Hospital, Yaba, where he was being treated for severe liver problems.
A source close to the actors’ body told HVP that the leadership of the body met with the actor’s immediate family last weekend to harmonise burial arrangement with them.
Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the remains of the veteran actor who most often played the role of ‘Sugar Daddy in movies may not be laid to rest as soon as possible.
In fact, the deceased wife, Mrs Grace Ibierie Nwosu told HVP, on Tuesday that, while the family members are yet to come together to decide when the remains of her husband would be laid to rest, the burial arrangement may be delayed until June.
“The family is yet to meet over it. We are waiting for my husband’s eldest brother who is a politician to come around. He will be sitting with the family immediately after the general elections is concluded to decide when the burial will take place. I have not heard from family but tentatively, the burial may be fixed in June.” Mrs Nwosu stated, when HVP called at their residence in Transit Village, in Victoria Island, commiserate with the family.
Until yesterday, atmosphere of solemnity pervaded the home of the departed actor as thousands of sympathisers and colleagues in the movie industry have continued to troop in and out of the place.
Early callers at the place were the National President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, (AGN), Segun Arinze, his Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, actor Emeka Rollas, the National president, Association of Movie Producers (AMP),Mr. Paul Obazele. Others were Zack Orji, Kanayo O.Kanayo, Chico Ejiro, and Obi Osotule amongst other celebrities.
Signing the condolence register, placed in front of the deceased’s abode, Segun Arinze described Ashley as “a great thespian who left behind a great legacy.”
Also mourning, Obazele, who worked and collaborated with the departed actor on many laudable projects, stated that he was devastated by the news. He said the late Nwosu was a dedicated and committed entertainer, whose good works in the industry would surely outlive him. “Rest in peace, you are a good man.”
Mr. Ibu pays tribute to Ashley
Star-actor John Okafor, a.k.a Mr Ibu has joined other movie stars across the country to eulogise the virtues of the departed actor, Ashley Nwosu, describing his death as “very painful and shocking.”
Mr. Ibu said the Nigerian movie industry will find it difficult to fill the vacuum Ashley’s death had created, adding that he was one of the most disciplined actor in Nollywood who accepted any treatment he was given on location by movie directors without complaining.
According to Mr. Ibu, Ashley gave a lot of encouragement to the upcoming actors. He narrated how he was shooting in Enugu when he heard of the death of the actor and had to stop work to observe a minute silent for the repose of his soul as none of them on location was happy with the shocking news of his death.
In a related development, Mr. Ibu before the governorship election held last Tuesday, endorsed the 2nd term bid of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State.
He reasoned that Chime desired to be given a second chance to enable him complete most of on-going projects in the state, which according to him, has been of immense beneficiary to the people of Enugu State, since he embarked on the laudable projects in 2007.
