Muna Obiekwe's Demise Hastens Health Insurance Scheme

…Colleagues Mourn Actor

Nollywood was thrown into another round of mourning when thespian Muna Obiekwe died last Sunday due to kidney related issues leading to calls for actors to be more conscious about their health status. AHMED BOULOR writes…

Quote: “My fear is that many practitioners are constrained by the wider perception of viewers enough to ignore health-related issues. Actors are human but often times, when we wear our ‘super human’ cloak, we fall victims to health traps.”

Summary: Nollywood actors and other industry players react to the demise of talented actor Muna Obiekwe

 

In the last few years, Nollywood has been hit by a series of deaths to its major players in quick succession. It was no different last Sunday when news began to make the rounds about the demise of talented actor Muna Obiekwe.

It was initially hard to ascertain the authenticity of the disturbing news however, due to a disclaimer by the Muna’s supposed twitter account which cast doubts on the initial report, but it was later confirmed close sources and confidants that the actor had actually kicked the bucket and that the twitter account which refuted the news was fake.

Muna reportedly slumped Sunday evening at his Lagos home, and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

The cause of his death is yet to be ascertained but sources close to the actor revealed that Muna had been battling an undisclosed ailment which he kept away from his colleagues in the movie industry.

But while we are all shaken by this sorrow; it is dangerous to abandon oneself in grief as it deprives one of the courage, and even the wish of recovery. This tallies with a suggestion by Keppy Bassey Ekpeyong, even as the call for actors to be conscious about their health hits the front burner.

“My fear is that many practitioners are constrained by the wider perception of viewers enough to ignore health-related issues. Actors are human but often times, when we wear our ‘super human’ cloak, we fall victims to health traps.

“It has become imperative for actors generally to be sensitive to our health status. Our services are largely considered to be recreational, but we know how challenging our work hours are and how professional they are against the backdrop that we have to get the job done.” a visibly disturbed Keppy said.        

NEILS Hastens Health Insurance Scheme

The entire crew of Nigerian Entertainment Industry Lecture Series (NEILS), initiators of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHTF) and Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Trust Fund (NEIHTF) is mourns the tragic end of vibrant and talented.

It could be recalled that recently, a rally was held in Kaduna to solicit financial support for an Hausa actor who is in dire need of financial support for surgery. His colleagues are however doing all what they can to raise money for the surgery as his condition is very critical. A northern actress also died under similar circumstance last year days after she left a movie set as she could not afford her own medical bills.

To curtail future occurrences, NEILS has moved to fast track the kick-off of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS) and the inauguration of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Trust Fund (NEIHTF). The inauguration of the trust fund will also avail practitioners in the entertainment industry the opportunity of knowing the registered Board of Trustees.

The health insurance scheme will take care of general consultation, surgeries, evacuation, physiotherapy, Eye care & surgery, advanced Radiological Investigation, accident & emergency, hospital admission and many more. The health trust fund will take care of all terminal ailments including kidney diseases right from the dialysis stages. The enrollment plans will however be made public before the end of the week.

Nollywood Actors Mourn:

Dayo Amusa: ‘We Are Not Our Brothers Keeper’

I truly hate to be a harbinger of bad news but I want to confirm that Muna Obiekwe is dead. And I am so angry! Yes, not just because we lost another great talent but because in this industry we are not our brother’s keeper. Muna might have wanted or lived a private, life but people knew he was sick. People knew his health status and yet did nothing. Some tried their best but if they had cried out to the world Muna might have gotten help. We are just colleagues and no real friends. RIP Muna.

Stella Damasus: ‘I Was Hoping It Was Really A Rumour’

I just confirmed it from some close friends and relatives that Muna is indeed dead. The message from twitter that he was still alive was from a fake account. So this is my pain; how do you know what to believe and what not to believe? Where do we draw the line? Over nine thousand people on twitter were deceived into thinking he was not actually dead but alive going by the misinformation of the fake twitter account. RIP brother; I was hoping that it was really a rumour. God rest your soul.

Fidelis Duker: ‘We Have Lost A Shining Light of The New Generation’

It is with sadness and grieve that I received the demise of one of the shinning lights of new generation actors. He was talented, conservative, respectful, committed, sincere and very insular young guy.

Halima Abubakar: ‘I Feel So Sad About The Young Family He Left Behind’

I am shocked at the news of the death of this great guy. Warm person he was and playful. I never knew he was sick not to talk of him being married. I feel so sad about the young family he left behind. God knows best; I am lucky that I featured in several jobs with him which are not out yet. We will miss you and may your soul rest in peace.

Uche Jombo: ‘It Is Not The Length of Life But The Depth of Life’

It is not the length of life but the depth of life; RIP Muna. It is sad that someone will try to make this sad story more difficult by tweeting through a fake account. Like you all, I wish it was a lie but sadly it is not.