Entertainment
Nollywood mourns two actresses in 24 hours
Ada Ameh and Oluwasolamipe Onayiga, two of the country’s talented actresses, died within a 24-hour period, sending the movie industry in Nigeria into yet another state of sadness.
Onayiga passed away yesterday morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, while Ada Ameh reportedly passed away in Warri, Delta State, around 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Although the actresses came from very different backgrounds and acting schools, they both left behind a rich body of filmic work and millions of distraught fans and coworkers.
Mr. Emeka Rollas, National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, confirmed Ada Ameh’s death Wednesday and called it “an unfortunate incident”.
He disclosed that the actress passed away on Sunday at a facility run by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Warri, Delta State.
Additionally, Mr. Emma Onyemeziem, the chairman of the Delta State chapter of the AGN, confirmed the sad news to Vanguard yesterday. He said they were shocked to learn of Ada Ameh’s passing.
“I’m shocked hearing the news of her demise. I have not been briefed properly on the circumstances surrounding her death. But I learnt that she died in a hospital in Warri, Delta State on Sunday night,” Onyemeziem said.
As soon as the news started spreading, celebrities took to Twitter to mourn the star actress of the popular sitcom, ‘The Johnsons’.
Nancy Isime said: “My heart is so heavy, I don’t even know what to say! one of the people I look up to in the film industry. Rip aunty Ada Ameh. I’ll miss you so much.”
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BBNaija’s Angel Smith wrote: “The fact that we have to experience grief at some point in our lives and then try to live with such an intense emotion is so mind-blowing. If the news is true, Rest well Ada Ameh, I loved watching you on tv. I hope you’re at a place where pain is a fiction of our imagination.”
Do2dtun said: “Ada Ameh’s death is so painful. One of My fav on The Johnsons especially when she says “a lucky lo lo” “Apor” .. she just lost a child and now.. May God put us through our tough times. This one is very painful.”
R.I.P Ada Ameh..Still shocked that she’s dead. She brought laughter & happiness into many homes yet her mental health was ruined with depression! Spiff, Jennifer, Blessing left “The Johnsons” they managed to keep the program going but this is surely the End” Empress Njamah
“I met this woman once on set and she was so sweet like she had known me before. All I could think of was the grief she was experiencing, cause I had seen several videos where she spoke about her mental health. This is really sad. Rest well Ada Ameh.” Saskay.
Before 2020, Ada Ameh lost 6 of her siblings to death (3 brothers, 3 Sisters)
On October 20,2020,she lost her only child, a beautiful daughter which she gave birth to at Age 14.
In March of 2022, she lost yet another sister.
Adah Ameh suffered mental issues which she claimed is taking her life but assured everyone that she will get over it.
She stated that a company sued her because of a job undone due to her mental illness and was asking for a huge amount of money she can’t afford.
Perhaps the actress demise would bring peace into her soul against all odds that becloud her.
In her last post on Instagram on that black Sunday, Ameh wrote: “Happy new week fans. This trip for my friend’s elder sister is just an enjoyment!!!
Ireti’s death
Veteran Actress, Oluwasolamipe Onayiga, who was best known for her role as Ireti in the iconic TV series, Fuji House of Commotion, also died yesterday morning.
Biztellers gathered that she died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where she was admitted for an undisclosed ailment.
Sola Awojobi husband, Pastor Tosin Onayiga, confirmed the incident.
He said she died around 3:45am on Monday.
Also announcing her demise on his Facebook page, is film critic, Dr Shaibu Husseini, wrote: “I have just been informed that the accomplished stage and screen actress and Fellow of Theatre Arts, Auntie Sola Awojobi Onayiga ‘has’ passed on.
“Auntie Sola, who is best known for the role of Ireti a.k.a Catering Practical in the defunct television sitcom, ‘Fuji House of Commotion delightfully,’ reportedly passed on this morning. Journey well, Ma! Journey Well!” he said
After completing her secondary education, the successful actress began working for the Federal Capital Development Authority, or FCDA.
She spent two years as a student at the National Institute of Internal Auditors before leaving to enroll in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Ife, OAU. She began her acting career as a novice. She performed in Fred Agbeyegbe’s The King Must Dance Naked as her first professional gig.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
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“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
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“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
Preliminary autopsy results have ruled out food poisoning as the cause of death for two Nollywood production crew members found dead at a movie set in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on February 7, 2026.
The victims, 36-year-old cinematographer Walter Odediran and his childhood friend Godstime Imeh, Lighting Director and Chief Officer of GeeTee Light, were discovered lifeless inside a Nissan car owned by Imeh, parked within the premises of Evercare Hospital, where a film was being shot.
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According to sources, the autopsy revealed that one of the victims had an empty stomach, while the other had only a small amount of food — “almost as if he hadn’t eaten anything,” a source said.
Walter Odediran’s elder brother, Kola Odediran, confirmed that the family had received the preliminary autopsy report. He said: “The autopsy itself is complete, and no food was found in my late brother.
“The results indicate he did not eat anything. But they are going to carry out toxicology and histology tests, which will provide the definitive answers we are looking for.”
To determine the exact cause of death, experts will conduct additional tests on blood and tissue samples to find out whether the victims ingested or inhaled any harmful substances before their deaths.
These results are expected in two to three weeks.
Relatives of the deceased, as well as colleagues in the Nollywood industry, are awaiting the findings with bated breath, hoping the upcoming tests will shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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