Many Nollywood actors we see on screen may not be as rich as we think. Some famous actors resigned to roles as ‘big men’ on-screen are wrongly seen as financially buoyant in real life and that presents a real problem in their time of need. For these men, they sought external help when they fell ill but in the end, they could not survive.
Truthfully, however, some celebrities live reckless lives without thinking of saving for the ‘unexpected’ so some of the actors in this story got little or no pity when they needed the assistance of their colleagues and the public.
And also, some are too proud to make their situation known, until their conditions deteriorate to the point where it becomes too late to save their lives even when the public is made aware and people donate to support them.
As much as we sympathize with them, we also believe a lot can be done in terms of investments and healthy habits. The entertainment industry is a fast-paced industry and one can easily get carried away with fame and glamour. It’s important for actors and those in showbiz, in general, to take care of themselves first before taking care of everyone else.
Below is the list of actors and actresses that have cried out for help in terms of funding but still went on to glory – may their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.
5. Prince James Uche
Prince James Uche was popular for lead roles in classic movies such as Igodo and the Lost Kingdom was discharged abruptly from the hospital because he could not afford to pay his hospital bills in January 2017.
Actors like Desmond Eliot rose to his rescue along with his son and appealed to the public for funds to take care of the ailing actor as Prince James needed at least 15 million Naira for a kidney transplant in India.
Well-meaning Nigerians came to his rescue and the funds were raised for his treatment but the ailing actor still passed on in March 2017.
4. Martins Njubuigbo
Popularly known as Elder Maya, Martins Njubuigbo died after battling Liver Disease for a long period of time. Before he kicked the bucket, he was in need of just one million Naira for hospital bills but couldn’t raise the money. He went public to solicit public funds from Nigerians.
Eventually, a popular cleric came to his rescue and helped him with a million Naira to pay his hospital bills.
In spite of the support he received from the cleric, he still passed on in October 2016.
3. Ashley Nwosu
Ashley Nwosu passed on to glory in April 2011 after battling Liver complications at age 58.
It is reported that Nollywood deserted him during his ailment even though a lot of his colleagues were rumored to be indebted to him financially.
His family went public to seek help but their pleas fell on deaf ears and the actor died.
2. Enebeli Elebuwa
When Enebeli Elebuwa fell ill in 2011, Segun Arinze appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to help raise funds to treat the ailing actor who was battling with stroke.
Nigeria’s Delta State government came to his rescue and flew him to India for proper treatment but it was too late as the actor died.
After his death, Stella Damasus expressed her disappointment at the way the matter was handled by her colleagues. She accused them of using social media to publicize their help support to the actor instead of genuinely working to save his life.
1. Olumide Bakare
Ibadan based actor, Olumide Bakare was admitted into UCH in Ibadan after he suffered cardiac arrest. He cried out for help from his colleagues. He begged them to assist him financially for his hospital bills and also send prayers to his family.
He passed away in April 2017 after a long battle with his ailment.
Source: Within Nigeria
