Justus Esiri
Nollywood is in a state of mourning. One of it’s legends has fallen. Legendary actor Justus Esiri has died. Esiri became a household name in Nigeria because of his role as the Village Headmaster in popular 80’s TV sitcom.
Nollywood fans in the UK mourn Justus Esiri, one of the most valuable assets of the Nigeria film industry. Esiri, a recipient of the prestigious African Film Awards in the UK was well celebrated by both young and old.
He passed away on Monday night after a short-time battle with an undisclosed ailment in his hometown.
A source said the now late Justus Esiri has been secretly battling an age related illness for a while but his family chose to make it a secret.
His son, Onoriode Esiri, known commonly as, Dr SID, a Nigerian singer-songwriter, is the youngest child of the deceased.
Condolence messages have begun to pour in as President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday described the late Esiri as an epitome of commitment, excellence and creativity.
In a condolence message signed by his Media Adviser, Dr. Rueben Abati, the President re-iterated his belief that Nollywood actors have carved a positive image for Nigeria in the eyes of the international community, with the late Esiri, a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), having contributed in no small measure to the creation and sustenance of that image.
The late Justus Esiri was born in November 1942 in Oria, Abraka, Delta State. His studied at Catholic Secondary school in Warri in year 1948 before proceeding to Maximillan University in Munich, German in 1964. He also attended Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin, 1967 and the Ahrens School of Performing Arts in 1968.
Justus Esiri, detoured into motion picture production in 1968 as a staff of the Schiller Theater, Berlin, Germany, where he stayed till 1976. During the 1977 FESTAC held in Lagos, he choreographed the Modern Dress exhibition.
He was Production Manager for Dinner With The Devil. He worked as News translator and Newscaster with the Voice of Nigeria (German Service).
