19th November, 2012
National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima, has described the death of veteran actor, Pete Eneh, as a big blow to the motion picture industry, stressing that is one of the reasons she is keen on securing health, pension and insurance schemes for practitioners.
In her official statement sent to Nollywood Reel, Ibinabo said “firstly, on behalf of AGN and the entire motion picture industry, I express my condolences to the family of late Pete Eneh. Sadly, death is a necessary end that will come when it will come. But when death takes away a good man, the heart bleeds. I am in grief and utter shock over his demise.
“The pitiable state of most motion picture practitioners, even though we are in the klieg light with loads of fans and accolades, there is still much to be desired. It is for reasons like these that I am pursuing with so much vigour, the health plan, pension scheme and insurance for AGN members across the nation. The idea of running cap in hand to government at any level when incidents such as this occur isn’t the solution, though necessary under the present circumstance. I pray that under my watch, the necessary uplift of actors would be achieved.
“Actors and practitioners alike should borrow a leaf from this amiable gentleman who just passed on. May goodness and mercy follow us all. Goodnight my dear Pete Eneh. Though no more, your love and gentleness lingers. Rest in peace.”
Nigerian actors have continued to pay tribute to the late actor who died at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital at about 1pm Thursday. He died few days after his left leg was amputated due to an infection.
The Enugu-based thespian had been down since last year after sustaining an injury on his left leg. The injury was said to have been worsened when Pete could not get proper medical attention, and the leg got infected.
To prevent the infection spreading to other parts of his body, the doctors decided to amputate the affected leg on 24 October. But the actor died even before he was discharged from the hospital.
Pete Eneh, starred in many films, but he was popularly known for mostly playing the role of a father. According to Segun Arinze, “he was a gentleman, professional and like a father to all of us. May his soul rest in peace.”
While paying tribute to the late actor, award-winning film director, Daniel Ademinokan said “Uncle Pete was a very gentle soul and peace-loving man. I remember the first time I saw him in a movie in which he suffered so much; I was so drawn to his performance even at his age. I knew I had to work with him at some point. Although I did only one project with him, one could never forget such an experience with such a calm but very wise individual. We will miss him because he was a Dad to us all.”
The Secretary-General of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakub, described the deceased as a “complete actor and gentleman. He was a father to all, helped nurture AGN and stood by the guild till death. We will miss him greatly and pray for his soul to rest in the bossom of the Lord.”
Also, actress Halima Abubkar said “it was such a huge shock. We lost a veteran and a kind, humble man. I have done few jobs with him and he was a bunch of talents. I pray for his family.”
Some of the films the deceased featured in include Heavy Rain, Arrows, By His Grace, Ngozi:Abeg Marry Us, Naomi, The Suitors and Not Your Wealth.