Sam Loco Efe dies at 66 - Nollywood community reacts

Sam Loco Efe dies at 66

· Omotola, Zack Orji, others react

By Samod Biobaku

Sixthsense34@yahoo.com

At a time when most Nigerians were slowly wrapping up the weekend (of August 7, 2011) and savouring the peace and tranquility of their various homes and leisure spots, the news of the death of Nollywood’s veteran actor and script writer, Sam Loco Efe filtered in; leaving a sour spot in the heart of many.

Apparently, this marked another dark chapter in the nation’s book of tragedies and as expected, the news was met by reactions from actors, actresses and prominent film makers in the nation’s entertainment circle.

The SUN newspapers (Daily SUN) spoke with popular actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Stella Monye and a cross section of prominent entertainment personalities and they bared their minds on what they considered a huge loss to the industry.

Shocked by the news of the transition of popular actor, Sam Loco Efe yesterday, foremost filmmaker and actor, Chief Eddie Ugboma has said the late Loco’s shoes will be too big for any Nigerian artiste to fill, owing to his enormous talents. According to Ugboma: ‘With Loco’s death, Nigeria has lost one of its greatest actors. His shoes will be too big for anyone to fill. He was the greatest Nigerian script interpreter, may his soul rest in peace.”
For Zack Orji, another Nollywood star, Loco’s death was a big shock. Said Orji: “The man (Loco) was a colossus in Nollywood. He started his career when some of the present crop of actors and actresses were not even born. He has been consistent ever since and till death because he died on location. Loco died doing what he loved best. I have worked closely with him and I have always admired him. He did his job with so much passion and seriousness that he always shadowed whoever worked with him. It is shocking and regrettable that Nollywood has lost another great man. I will miss his sense of humour and attitude to work.”
Meanwhile, Nollywood, the industry that brought Loco fame and fortune had been in state of mourning since the news of his death broke. Actress, Uche Jombo described the death as heart broken. “An icon of art is gone its heart broken.” Kunle Afolayan, an actor and director said he was sad because Sam Loco was supposed to start a new movie production with him “today is a very sad day in my life as we were about to start the shooting of our next film together. His departure will be badly felt. I am very sad right now.”
Lonzo Nzekwe, the producer and director of Anchor Baby said his death was a big loss. “This is a big loss to the industry. He is one of the best. May his soul rest in perfect peace.” Actress, Ini Edo described Loco’s death as shocking and sad, “Uncle Sam is like father to a lot of us. Though we don’t work together often. We will miss him.”
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde said the death was unquantifiable. “We can’t begin to describe him. He was an actor indeed, a playwright, a master of the stage, who had presence on screen. No one else did comedy like Sam Loco Efe and no one else will ever do.”

In an interview he granted this year, the late actor was quoted as saying “you don’t quit acting unless you are dead” as if he had a premonition that he would die acting.

However, while reports made it clear that the actor died yesterday in an hotel room in at Rapour Hotel, Amakaohai along Orlu road in Owerri, Imo state shortly after returning from location. He was in Owerri, to direct a film titled “Unknown Prophet,” members of his family maintain that the actor is still alive.

It therefore didn’t come as a surprise when the Nigerian entertainment community were thrown into a momentary state of confusion over the actor’s true state of health. While the media reported him to the dead, another faction claimed the actor only suffered a heart attack and had not been declared dead.