Seven months into the year, Nollywood has buried at least eight of its best and brightest.
Two deaths were recorded last Sunday with the passing of Adebayo Faleti and Olurotimi Ayinde in Ibadan and Abeokuta respectively, adding to a list many wish would not grow.
Here we take a look at eight actors who have so far died in the year and the legacies they left behind.
- Prince James Uche
James Uche died on March 8, two days to his scheduled trip to India for surgery. He had battled with diabetes, blindness, high blood pressure and kidney-related disease for about two years. The actor. who was in the hospital for about a year and seven months, reportedly required N2.6 million to pay his hospital bill and N11 million for kidney transplant and eye surgery in India. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State through the #SavePrinceJamesUche team led by Rita Edochie and Chioma Okoye  donated N3 million as well as approved N10 million as the state’s contribution to save the actor’s life. Uche, whose ordeal began when he was afflicted by a “strange illness” in 2010, starred in films like IGODO, Rituals, Lost kingdom, Oracle and Coronation.
- Chike Bryan
The actor and former president of the Scriptwriters Guild of Nigeria (SGN) died on March 25, three years after he underwent a kidney transplant in India. Former President Goodluck Jonathan donated the sum of N10 million in 2014 for the transplant, after which the actor returned to his relieved family, friends and fans. He was said to have relapsed and rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on the day that he died after he had an attack. He was confirmed dead on arrival by doctors at LASUTH.
- Modupe Oyekunle
The actress popularly called Oyinbo because of her light complexion died on April 4 after giving birth to a baby girl. Oyekunle is remembered for playing the role of Sandra in Segun Ogungbe’s blockbuster movie, Ibi Giga, among others she acted in. She was a member of Igi Aloye caucus in Abeokuta, which produced the likes of Odunlade Adekola. She left behind a husband, three children and parents.
- Olumide Bakare
Veteran actor, Olumide Bakare, popularly known as Chief Koko, died on April 22, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital after battling what is believed to be a heart-related illness. The 65-year-old former NTA worker was most popular for his lead role in the TV comedy drama, Koko Close, from which he got his famous nickname. He starred in more than 50 movies including Aye Olorogun (2007), Iboji (2008) and Ise Onise (2009).
- Pastor Ajidara
Adeshina Adesanya, popularly known as Pastor Ajidara, died on May 7 after battling kidney disease. His death came despite assurances that he was responding to treatment. News of the death was broken by fellow actors, Bolaji Amusan (Mr. Latin) and Yomi Fash-Lanso, who had launched a crowd funding campaign for his treatment. Adesanya starred in many movies including Ologbo Iya Ijebu and Ageku Abela.
- Moji Olaiya
The much loved Yoruba actress passed on in Canada on May 17, two months after giving birth to her second daughter in the North American country. The 42-year-old died of a suspected cardiac arrest. She was buried at the Ebony Vault in Ikoyi, Lagos on June 7 after a prolonged controversy over the repatriation of her corpse. Moji began her acting career with Wale Adenuga’s production Super Story before landing roles in several Yoruba and English language movies.
- Adebayo Faleti
The Yoruba culture icon died on July 23 at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. He had health challenges in his last years, with rumour making the rounds in 2014 that he had died. The man responsible for translating Nigeria’s National Anthem from English to Yoruba acted in, wrote, and produced a number of movies, which include Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Thunderbolt: Magun, Afonja, Basorun Gaa, and Sawo-Segeri.
- Olurotimi Ayinde
The actor and production manager better known as Abu Olododo also died on July 23 in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was aged 51. His death was announced by a friend, Waheed Ijaduade, in a statement posted on Facebook. Ayinde was until his death the chief executive officer of Abu Olododo Presentations, and avid supporter of President All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chelsea Football Club.
