Nigerians have continued to pay glowing tributes to actress Rachel Oniga who died on Friday from a heart-related ailment.
Contrary to speculations that she died from COVID-19 complications, the family said she died at a Lagos hospital after a short battle with a heart ailment.
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A statement from the family signed by Deaconess Toyin Odusote, her sister, said she died at 64.
“We accept her sudden transition as God’s design and we see it as a function of a race of life well finished. Painful as it may be, we accept it in good and total submission to her maker,” she said.
They said the family desires to mourn her death privately, “as we do this with a deep sense of respect for her soul and the glorious life she lived.”
The family said burial arrangements would be announced in due time and showed appreciation for the calls, messages and condolences expressed by everyone while praying for the sweet repose of her beautiful soul.
The life, times and legacy of Rachel Oniga
She died at 64 after a lustrous career in the movie industry. She was one of the veterans in the industry who adorned and commandeered the silver screen with pride and glamour. Since her debut movie ‘Onome’ in 1993, the Delta State-born award-winning actress has featured in more than 150 movies and was also a producer.
She also started pulling her fan base in the Yoruba industry after she starred in ‘Owo Blow’ her first Yoruba movie.
She featured in the popular television series Super Story produced by Wale Adenuga and was also in ‘Chief Daddy’ produced by Mosunmola Abudu and Temidayo Abudu which was released in 2018 as well as several home videos.
One of the actresses that starred alongside Oniga in ‘Chief Daddy’, Funke Akindele Bello, in her tribute prayed that God grant the family comfort, “thank you for being so good to me. God knows best,” she said on her verified Instagram handle.
Another actress on the cast of ‘Chief Daddy’, Patience Ozokwor could not hide her emotions as she was in tears while expressing shock over the news.
“I wish this is not true. Nobody told me she was sick. I didn’t know you were sick,” she said.
Another cast on ‘Chief Daddy’ and veteran in the movie industry Joke Silva posted on her verified Instagram that the deceased blindsided her, while extolling her diligence and astuteness on set, “Incredible committed colleague,” she said, adding that 64 was a bit early.
Also, Charles Inojie in his tribute described her as one of Africa’s most consistent performers, adding that the light had dimmed permanently.
“The world will never forget the smiles you exuded everywhere you touched,” he wrote.
Antar Laniyan said her death was hard to swallow “Good Night Mama Rachel Oniga… RIP … I am struggling for Words… This is Hard to Swallow…. So, It’s A Wrap,” he said.
“There are no words to describe how I feel. Rest on Aunty Rachel, we will miss you, but you will never be forgotten,” Mo Abudu said in her tribute.
Bimbo Oshin posted on her Instagram page, “Heaven has just gained another beautiful soul. Aunty Rachel. Ha!”
Also, another veteran in the Nigeria movie industry, Adebayo Salami popularly called Oge Bello, posted on his Instagram page, “There is a time to live, and a time to leave. There is never a perfect time to lose a loved one. Our beloved Rachel Oniga is gone. A great thespian with fascinating legacies. Rest in the Lord, my dear sister.”
Rachel Oniga received the 2017 City People Movie Lifetime Achievement Award and was part of the cast in ‘My Village People’ which premiered on June 6. The comedy-thriller was her last and was written by sensational comedian Bovi Ugboma and directed by Niyi Akinmolayan. She starred in the film with Charles Inojie, Nkem Owoh and Binta Ayo Mogaji.
Among movies she featured in was ‘Sango’ produced and directed by Obafemi Lasode. She made her marks in the Yoruba movie industry with ‘Owo Blow’.
Aside from Wale Adenuga’s Super Story, she also starred in The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
A year not to forget for Nigeria’s entertainment industry
The death of Rachel Oniga is coming few weeks after the passing of Olanrewaju Fasasi popularly called Sound Sultan on July 11.
Prominent among Nollywood actors who have died in 2021 is Folake Aremu popularly known as Orisabunmi, who died in January, as well as fast-rising actor David Mela and another veteran, Ernest Asuzu.
Jim Lawson Maduike who acted in over 150 movies and was also a broadcaster died in January.
Dan Nkoloagu, a retired broadcaster prominent for his roles as native doctor in Nollywood movies also died in January at 83 years old.
Also, Sadiq Daba, a veteran actor and broadcaster died in March after a battle with leukaemia and prostate cancer while Ify Onwuemene, another veteran died of endometrial cancer in May.
Lambert Dike also died in March few days before his birthday. Rachel Bakam, another actress and television presenter, died at 38.
Also, the best actor in a supporting role at the 2007 Africa Movie Academy Awards, Bruno Iwuoha, died in April after a protracted illness.
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