Two Nollywood practitioners have been reported dead in the space of 24 hours, it has emerged.
First was the news of Nollywood film-maker and Director, Ansa Bassey Kpokpogri, a Calabar-born mother of one who passed away after complaining of pains from peptic ulcer.
Calabar-born Ansa is a top Nollywood producer, actress and assistant director, known for Black Gold (2011), Dawn in the Creeks (2014), Mary Slessor (2008) and The Amazing Grace (2006).
A source who happened to be her high school classmate in Federal Government Girls College Calabar told Peace Ben Williams Blog that Ansa always suffered from severe menstrual pains and peptic ulcer which became a major challenge to her health.
Just like ex-beauty queen Nike Oshinowo who suffers from severe menstrual pains, a condition known as Endometriosis, Ansa could not have children. And just like Nike did, Ansa recently adopted an adorable baby girl two years ago while still struggling with this condition.
When the pains started again yesterday, she visited the hospital where she was given some drugs and advised to rest in bed. She slept and never woke up.
Many have blamed the Nigerian health care sector for her death.
She leaves behind her dear husband, Eric who works at the Ministry of Defence and her beautiful daughter, Rezi.
Announcing her death, film-maker Uduak Isong Oguamanam, younger sister of Emem Isong, took to her Facebook to write a glowing tribute that reads,
‘Grief. It makes you remember things. Minute details, like the sound of their feet, the colour of their hair and the sweet smell of their body spray. It makes you regret. The holidays you never took, the movies you never watched together, the visits you kept planning to but never made. It reminds you of your own mortality. You wonder if there’s a row call and what your number is on the list. Death doesn’t warn you. One moment you’re laughing with a loved one, your head thrown back, with wanton abandon, the next your eyes are bloodshot from weeping for a loss so deep no one can understand. I’ll never understand, never come to terms with your death. You were many things to me; Friend. Sister. Business partner. Supporter. Colleague. My life was better because you were in it. Sleep well my beautiful, adorable, amazing Ansa. Till we meet again to part no more’.
Shortly afterwards, news of the death of Yoruba actress, Kudirat Ajimat was announced by TAMPAN in a statement. Read below:
‘It saddens our association Theatre Arts and Movie Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Ogun State Chapter, to announce the untimely death of our beloved sister/colleague Kudirat Ajimat popularly known and called Ajimat. The news of her death got to us this morning as a shocker but we don’t have power to stop God from doing what is right in HIS sight. We will seriously miss you and your friendly lifestyle. RIP.’
May their souls Rest In Peace.
