The year 2022 was a tragic year for the families of many Nigerian celebrities did not live to see the end of the year. Nigerians were faced with grief caused by the passing of people they have come to love by their presence in the society.
Social media especially, made people become fond of these individuals. There was a spirit of togetherness as Nigerians bonded through the mourning of these individuals.
Ada Ameh
Ada Ameh, was a Nollywood actress. She died on 17th July, 2022. According to several reports, the actress was said to have been a guest of an oil company’s top executive and his family when she suddenly slumped during a gathering.
She was reportedly rushed to the NNPC hospital in Warri, Delta State, where she was confirmed dead.
The cast of ‘The Johnsons’ hosted a night of tribute in her honour as the lead actress of the series on Thursday, 8th August, 2022, at Freedom Park, Lagos.
The actress revealed a few weeks before her death, she was going through some mental health issues. The remains of the movie star were interred at her family’s compound on Friday, 26th August, 2022. Ameh died at the age of 48.
Osinachi Nwachukwu
Osinachi Nwachukwu was a Nigerian gospel singer. She died at an Abuja hospital on Friday, April 8, 2022. Initial reports claimed that she died of cancer, but her death was later alleged to be the result of domestic violence at the hands of her husband.
The singer’s body arrived in her hometown, Amakpoke Umuaku community, in Abia State on Saturday, 25th June, 2022, for interment.
Nwachukwu, who died at the age of 42, is survived by a husband and four children.
Ifeanyi Adeleke
Ifeanyi Adeleke is the son of Nigerian Music Star, Davido. He died on October 31, 2022, after he drowned in a pool. It was gathered that the incident happened within Davido’s residence on the Banana Island of Lagos.
The three-year-old was said to have been rushed to a hospital in Lekki where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Rico Swavey
Rico Swavey passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2022. The former Big Brother Naija season 3 housemate, Patrick Fakoya, popularly known as Rico Swavey, was involved in a ghastly crash.
Following the accident, he was placed on life support, but died two days later.
A night of tribute and a candlelight walk took place at Retro Citi, Victoria Island, Lagos, on October 19–22. A private service was held at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Square, before he was buried at Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Lari Williams
Lari Williams was the founding national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. He died on February 27, 2020 after a brief illness. He was buried on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in his hometown, Yala Nkum, in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The AGN and the Artistes Village community commemorated the multi-talented artist’s life and times on Friday, April 15, 2022. He died at the age of 81.
Adetokunbo (Dejo Tunfulu)
Adetokunbo was a Yoruba film comic actor who was widely loved for his hilarious comedic tropes and unique comic style. He died on April 1, 2022, after he lost his battle to a chronic kidney disease.
During his lifetime, the late actor was famous for playing the role of a clown in movies, bringing laughter and joy to his fans across the country and beyond.He died at age 49.
Alaafin of Oyo: Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III was the 45th monarch of the Oyo Empire and the traditional ruler of the Yoruba town of Oyo. He passed away on April 22, 2022, at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, in Ekiti State, after complications associated with prostate enlargement.
He was 83 years old, and he ruled the Oyo Empire for 52 years, the longest reign of any Alaafin.
Osmond Gbadebo
Osmond Gbadebo was a Yoruba film actor and producer. He died on May 30, 2022, after battling with an unnamed terminal illness.The report was made by a fellow member of the industry, Fausat Balogun, on her Instagram page.
Several industry colleagues and fans took to their social media pages at the time to pay tribute to the Nollywood actor and producer.
A service of songs and a wake for the late actor were held on Friday, June 3, at Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos. His burial service and interment took place at the Atan cemetery in Yaba, Lagos, on June 4. Osmond played numerous roles in the Nigerian film industry and was widely known.
Osmond Gbadebo was 45 years old at the time of his death.
Biyi Bandele
Biyi Bandele died on August 7, 2022. His sudden death was confirmed by his daughter, Temi Bandele, on Monday, August 8, 2022, via a Facebook post.
News of Bandele’s demise came barely a month before the historical TIFF premiere of Netflix and EbonyLife Film’s ‘Elesin Oba’, the adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman,’ which he directed and adapted for the screen.
He was laid to rest in a quiet ceremony attended by friends and industry colleagues in Lagos on Friday, September 23, 2022.
Sola Onayiga
Sola Onayiga died on Monday, 18th July, 2022. The movie veteran who played the role of Ireti in Amaka Igwe’s popular soap opera, Fuji House of Commotion, passed away at age 63.
Her death was announced by a renowned movie critic and film specialist, Husseini Shaibu, via his Twitter page. Onayiga was widely known for her comic role in the now-rested TV drama series ‘Checkmate’.
Story: Hauwa Mohammed
