Popular Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elebuwa, died in an Indian hospital on Wednesday after a battle with stroke-related ailment.
Elebuwa was fondly called Andrew following the character he played in the Andrew No Check Out: Nigeria Must Survive campaign jingle in the 80s. The campaign was conceived to implore Nigerians not to leave the country for overseas.
A former President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, Mr. Segun Arinze, confirmed Elebuwa’s death to our correspondent on the telephone.
He said, “He fought gallantly. He was a great actor. We all called him Andrew as he was encouraged not to leave the country in the popular promo. But unfortunately, he has checked out.”
Another actor, Zack Orji described Elebuwa’s death as regrettable.
Orji said, ‘‘His death is a shock. May his soul rest in peace.’’
Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who commiserated with the family of the deceased and the entertainment industry, added that Elebuwa’s death was “painful and saddening”.
Uduaghan, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, said he was shocked that the efforts made by Nigerians to save his life did not yield the desired result.
Elebuwa featured in several movies, including Domitila, Oracle and Mirror in the Sun.
Among Nollywood personalities, who died recently, are Sam Loco Efe, Geraldine Ekeocha, Ahmed Alasari, Olalekan Oladipo (Georgio Lekinson) Akin Ogungbe, Gogo Ombo, Ashley Nwosu, Dento, Taiwo Bello and Pete Eneh.