Nollywood once again rolled in the throes of mourning another veteran this week. Ganiyu Oyeyemi popularly known as Ogunjimi, has died. The actor was famous for playing the role of a shaman or herbalist. The thespian thrilled audiences of the movies produced in the Yoruba language in the mid-90s and early 2000s. The news of his passing surfaced on social media on Friday, April 26, 2024. His younger colleague, Kunle Afod announced the tragedy in a post on his Instagram page. “We tried our best, but God loves you more. May his soul rest in peace. Baba Ogunjimi, RIP, Sun re oooo,” Afod wrote.
However, neither the date of Ogunjimi’s demise nor the cause of death is unknown. Reportedly, Ogunjimi’s death comes barely three days after another Nollywood veteran Pa Zulu Adigwe, was reported dead. Adigwe passed away on Tuesday, April 23rd as announced by the movie producer, Stanley Nwoke, aka ‘Stanley Ontop’ in a post on his Instagram page.
2024 thus far, has seen the Nigerian movie industry record several deaths. It may be recalled that a little over a fortnight ago, Junior Pope tragically drowned and died in a boat accident while on a film set. His death came less than a week after the passing of Aderounmu Adejumoke, the actress who rose to fame for her role as Esther in the popular Funke Akindele series, ‘Jenifa’s Diary’.
In March as well, three actors died. The thespians, Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as Sisi Quadri, died after a brief illness on 01 March; and from protracted illnesses John ‘Mr Ibu’ Okafor on 02 March and Amaechi Muonagor, on 24 March 24.
