Family, friends, Nollywood celebrate Saint Obi at night of tributes/service of songs
By AZUH AMATUS
It was an emotional and solemn outing on Friday, August 11, 2023, when family, friends and colleagues of late Nollywood star, Obinna Nwafor famously known as Saint Obi gathered for his service of songs and night of tributes.
The well attended event, which held at the upscale Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos was organised by the deceased mourning wife, Lydia and beautiful children, Chidera, Obinna and Nnemdi alongside some family members.
The memorable evening event started with an opening hymn and prayers, which was coordinated by top clergies from the All Souls Church of the Anglican Communion, Lekki, Lagos.
It was immediately followed by scripture readings by the three children of the deceased and Lady Ugoeze, Obi’s elder sister.
Gospel power house, Frank Edwards also lit up the well decorated and specially designed hall with the rendition of special tribute songs for the late Nollywood star, whose death still shocks the industry.
Emotions were high and palpable when some colleagues and family members of Saint Obi paid him glowing tributes on stage, amid tears and comforting words.
Among those who spoke was respected thespian, Dr. Charles Okafor, revered filmmaker, Zeb Ejiro, celebrated publisher of Yes International Magazine and Rotarian, Sir Azuh Arinze, AGN president Emeka Rollas and several others.
In the words of Okafor, who like other speakers held back tears while paying his tribute, “Saint Obi, will be greatly and hugely missed by all of us, but he lives on, because actors don’t die…,”.
All the speakers extolled the virtues and outstanding qualities of their departed colleague, who will be laid to rest on Friday, August 18 in his hometown, Umuezealaeze, Alaenyi Ogwa, in Imo State.
While appreciating all those that attended the event, Obi’s 15 year-old first son, Chidera proudly told guests that his late dad was a great man, whom they would continue to miss and prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
“To everyone who has honoured us with their presence, strengthened us with their prayers and blessed us with their kind gestures, we extend our deepest appreciation for your unwavering support. We thank you most sincerely,”
Several other Nollywood stars and stakeholders who graced the evening event were DAYLIGHT Online Publisher, Chief Azuh Amatus, former AGN presidents, Ejike Asiegbu and Segun Arinze, Victor Osuagwu, Lilian Bach, Ifeoma Okeke, Teco Benson, Mike Nliam, Zik Zulu-Okafor and Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi.
Others included: Ojiofor Ezeanyaeche, Elochukwu Anigbogu, Emeka Duru, Andy Chukwu, Vera Kanu, Emeka Rising, Akeem Rahman, Mike Ajaere, Nazareth Jesse among several others.
Interestingly, several leading names in the nation’s telecoms industry, especially MTN, where the deceased wife is a senior management staff were also in attendance.
The team was led by the former NCC Chairman, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, MTN CEO, Karl Toriola, Amina Oyagbola among others.
The service of songs and night of tributes which also featured special prayers for the family ended with a benediction by the officiating priest, venerable Folorunso Oreoluwa Agbelusi, the vicar of archdeacon of Lekki, with the blessings of the supervising bishop, Dr. James Olusola Odedeji.
