Izuchukwu Okosi
Nollywood star actors Nkem Owoh and Osita Iheme over the past two decades have been bringing laughter to millions of homes in Nigeria thanks to their hilarious characters in comedies, movies, music videos or commercials.
That has inevitably made these two distinguished thespians some of the sought-after actors in the country.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn this piece, Prime Business Africa’s IZUCHUKWU OKOSI looks at one thing that they have in common, a sad experience they both share since the mid 80s to 2022.
In the mid 80s, the Military government headed by President Muhammad Buhari gave orders for the execution of three young Nigerians over suspicion of being in possession of narcotics.
One of the trio was a certain 26-year-old Bartholomew Owoh, the younger brother of Nollywood star Nkem ‘Osuofia’ Owoh.
Buhari ordered the killing of three young men for a crime which was then not punishable by firing squad as it turned out to be.
Bartholomew Owoh was murdered by firing squad along with Bernard Ogedengbe (29) and Lawal Ojoulape (30) for dealing in hard drugs.
Owoh still talks about the ordeal which his brother went through and how it affects the family.
In November 2022, gunmen went on a rampage in Owerri and killed Prince Iheme, the older brother of award winning actor Osita Iheme.
The ‘unknown’ gunmen attacked the Imo state capital, Owerri, Mbaitoli and other towns in the state.
The Commissioner for Solid Minerals in the state, Martin Eke was also injured by the assailants
An eyewitness who spoke to the media said: “This attack is politically motivated. We just finished at one campaign rally ground and were heading to Ubommiri. Our convoy was attacked at Amawuihe before Ubommiri.
“Prince Iheme (Osita Iheme’s brother) was riding in the same vehicle with the Commissioner for Solid Minerals. Prince Iheme who is Pawpaw’s elder brother was killed on the spot.
These two incidents have been heartbroken to these stars. The manner of their deaths are arguably ‘politically’ masterminded.
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Assassinations such as these could play an important role in social processes a new Nigeria is envisaged.
The place of Nollywood and entertainers in the socio-political landscape of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.
Such experiences could result in resentment in the manner that key players in the entertainment industry support the government of the day.
The Presidential candidate for the All People’s Congress in the 2023 general elections, Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly offered Nkem Owoh the sum of N10m as he sought the support of major stakeholders in the movie industry.
The Enugu state-born comic actor turned down the offer. After all, the party was the same party of the incumbent (President Buhari) who ordered the execution of his brother.
The killings of these Nigerians whose creative relatives have brought laughter, entertainment and information to Nigerian homes is a dangerous trend that hopefully will not become a regular feature in the country and indeed in other climes.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
