Celebrities, fans mourn as Nollywood actor, Afolabi dies at 49

Barely 24 hours after the death of popular Nollywood actor, Obinna Nwafor, famously known by his stage name, ‘Saint Obi’, a Yoruba popular actor and filmmaker, Murphy Afolabi, died yesterday.

 

According to filmmaker and producer, Sodiq Adebayo, Afolabi had been ill for a while and was discharged from the hospital two days ago. Sodiq, son of veteran Nollywood actor, Adebayo Salami, directed some of Afolabi’s films including Osumare and Omo Mushin.

 

The thespian was born on May 5, 1974 and had celebrated his 49th birthday last week, which was the last post on his Instagram page. The Osun-born actor carved a niche for himself with his use of rich Yoruba proverbs and unadulterated indigenous sayings.

Afolabi’s death came as a rude shock to thousands of his fans and colleagues, who have started paying tributes to him on social media. A filmmaker and president of the Yoruba movies directors’ guild, Seun Olaiya, shared the sad news on a WhatsApp platform populated by filmmakers. The Managing Director of Corporate Pictures Nigeria Limited, Abdullahi Abdulrasaq, also confirmed it.

 

Olaiya wrote, “I swear to God just before the news, I was still hailing him. This is really a rude shock to me.” Showbiz personality and convener of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, also confirmed the news. He said, “It is true. He passed away after a fall in his bathroom at his house in Ikorodu this morning.”

 

 

Damola Olatunji shared his picture on Instagram with the caption: “Murphy but why. We all celebrated your birthday on the 5th of May not knowing you were saying goodbye.

“Vanity upon vanity, everything we do is ‘vanity’, empty, futile and short-lived. It doesn’t matter if you’re wise or a fool, ultimately, because everyone ends up dying. Rest on bruv. Sunnnre ooo.”

Nigerian comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, also shared a picture of the late actor with the caption; “I am in total shock. May God grant you eternal rest Murphy.”

Actor and producer, Kunle Afod, wrote, “Black weekend in the industry. We lost four people in the space of two days… RIP Murphy Afolabi, RIP Saint Obi, RIP Adidigba, RIP Techno sound.”

Also, Olaniyi Afonja, popularly known as “Sanyeri”, said: “It is so shocking to hear the death of my wonderful friend, Murphy Afolabi. I pray God be with the family he left behind. Murphy rest in perfect peace.”