Pete Eneh: One death too many in Nollywood
Nollywood was thrown into mourning when news broke about the death of veteran actor Pete Eneh. The actor undoubtedly left an indelible mark in the minds of many as his colleagues in the industry are saddened about his unfortunate demise. AHMED BOULOR and OVWE MEDEME report.
COMMENTS have continued to pour in following the demise of Nollywood actor, Pete Eneh, who passed on recently after a protracted infection which led to his leg being amputated.
His death closely on the heels of that of several thespians such as Sam Loco Efe, Ashley Nwosu, Geraldine Ekeocha and Segun Ogunlade casting more light on the sad plight of a number of the industry’s veterans.
National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima has described the death of the veteran as a big blow to the motion picture industry, stressing that it is one of the reasons she is keen on securing health, pension and insurance schemes for practitioners.
“On behalf of AGN and the entire motion picture industry, I express my condolences to the family of late Pete Eneh. Sadly, death is a necessary end that will come when it will come. But when death takes away a good man, the heart bleeds. I am in grief and utter shock over his demise. Actors and practitioners alike should borrow a leaf from this amiable gentleman who just passed on,” she said
In the words of erstwhile President of the Guild, Segun Arinze, “Eneh was a gentleman, professional and like a father to all of us. May his soul rest in peace.” While paying tribute to the late actor, award-winning film director, Daniel Ademinokan said “Uncle Pete was a very gentle soul and peace-loving man. I remember the first time I saw him in a movie in which he suffered so much; I was so drawn to his performance even at his age. I knew I had to work with him at some point.
A visibly saddened Keppy Bassey Ekpeyong also aired his thoughts on the death of the late actor: “I am not too sure of what encouraged Pete Eneh’s participation in the movie industry but everyone can testify that his entry was refreshing and his impact resounding. His flexibility and acting skill was unique; he was eloquent and he communicated his characters effectively. He will surely be missed and my fear is that many practitioners are constrained by the wider perception of viewers enough to ignore health related issues,” he said.
Keppy also talked about the AGN’s plan to introduce health packages for willing practitioners: “The Actors Guild under Ibinabo Fiberesima’s dispensation is poised to introduce health packages for willing practitioners. I subscribe to this following the death of our colleagues due to health related issue,” he added.
The Veteran actor passed on Thursday, November 15 at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital where he had been receiving treatment. Prior to his demise, the actor had been suffering from a chronic leg infection which led to it being amputated by doctors at the Hospital, otherwise called Park lane Hospital, October 24. Eneh’s death was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the State Governor, Afam Okereke, himself an actor.
His travails was said to have started last year, after he sustained an injury that later led to a serious infection, thereby making treatment near impossible. Reports said then that the injury degenerated into a sore, which was further compounded by the fact that the actor was diabetic.
Having spent three months at the hospital without making headway as regards treatment, the actor was advised to get the leg amputated to reduce the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of his body.
Famed for always playing the father in movies, in his day, the actor featured in several films including Lonely Life (2006), Divided Kingdom (2005), Price of Ignorance (2005), Heavy Rain (2004), Arrows (2003), By His Grace (2003) and a host of others.
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