Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, affectionately known as Mama G, has shed light on the alarming trend of frequent deaths among her fellow actors. Speaking in Lagos this week, she attributed these tragic losses to carelessness and negligence prevalent within the film industry.
Mama G’s comments follow her attendance at the recent funeral of beloved comic actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, held in his hometown in Enugu State last month. She expressed how profoundly Mr. Ibu’s passing affected her.
“When you are engaged in something you love, it’s easy to neglect your health,” she remarked. “You often think, ‘As long as I’m alive, I can continue.’ But that mindset can take a toll on your body over time.”
She noted that some actors are so careless about their health that they often opt for over-the-counter pain relievers from pharmacies rather than seeking proper medical attention when unwell. “This approach is no longer safe for me,” she stated. “I’m not sure how many others share this perspective. We often focus on bringing joy to others while neglecting our own health.”
Reflecting on the emotional moment at Mr. Ibu’s burial, Mama G recounted how she broke down when she approached his body and called out to him, only to be met with silence. “In that moment, the reality of his absence hit me hard. It wasn’t that I expected him to respond, but it was the realization that he is truly gone forever,” she shared.
In light of these experiences, Ozokwor urged her colleagues in the industry to prioritize regular medical check-ups and to eliminate harmful habits that threaten their well-being.
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