PTV News Media

By Perekeme Odon

Entertainment heavyweights, leaders, and practitioners in the Nigerian film and entertainment industry gathered to pay their last respects to one of the fathers, icons, pioneers, famous and versatile movie veterans in Nigeria, Chief Eddie Ugbomah (OON), at his funeral in Lagos, Nigeria.

Chief Eddie Ugbomah OON

The climax of three days of mourning which saw thousands of practitioners and entertainment big wigs file past his coffin as it laid in state July 12, 2019, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos state.

Lying In State At The National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos state

Chief Ugbomah, born into the Arigbondu family of Umu-Ogwezi Quarters, Ashaka, Aboh Kingdom, Ndokwa East LGA, Delta State of Nigeria 78 years ago. Ugbomah was born and raised in Obalende area of Lafiaji, Lagos Island, Lagos State. He attended the St. Matthias School, Lafiaji, Lagos and City College School. He traveled to London for his college education and attended various colleges studying journalism, drama and film. As a journalist, Ugbomah worked briefly with the BBC.

(L-R) Ralph Nwadike, Zik Zulu Okafor & Tee Mac

In 1988, Ugbomah was appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), which was an acknowledgement of his filmic experience. His Nigerian national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), was further testimony to his outstanding cinematic contribution to the Nigerian narrative.

NFVCB DG Alhaji Thomas Adebayo In A Media Interview

He was a former Consultant and Adviser to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). He was Chairman, Board of Trustees to the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and Association of Movie Producers (AMP) respectively.

President Muhammadu Buhari in his message condoled with family, friends, and associates of the ace actor, director, and producer whose contribution to the development of Nigerian’s film industry remains indelible, starting out early with studies and training in London before returning in the 70s to promote drama and movies The President believes Chief Eddie Ugbomah was not only a storyteller but a social commentator and activist, who used film as a veritable tool for communication, and used it positively for national development. He prayed that God will grant Ugbomah’s soul eternal rest and comfort his family.

NFC Lagos Director Mr. Simon Inegedu & His Staff

Ugbomah’s film career, which spanned over four decades up till 2018, showed the power of film as a change agent. Credited with over twelve (12), some of which were inspired by real-life events. Most famous films are ‘Rise and Fall of Oyenusi’ (1977), based on the life story of a notorious armed robber. Ugbomah played the role of Ishola Oyenusi, who terrorized Lagos in the early 1970s. ‘The Mask’ (1979), which focused on the looting of Africa’s artifacts by European colonizers and the campaign to bring the cultural treasures back to the continent. Ugbomah played the protagonist who tries to steal the Benin ivory mask from the British Museum and return it to Nigeria. ‘Oil Doom’ (1980), ‘Bolus '80’ (1982), ‘The Boy is Good’ (1982), ‘Vengeance of the Cult’ (1984), ‘Death of a Black President’ (1984), ‘Esan’ (1985), ‘Apalara’ (1986), ‘Omiran’ (1986), ‘The Great Attempt’ (1988), ‘Toriade’ (1989), and ‘America or Die’ (1996).

(l-r) NFVCB DG Alhaji Thomsa Adebayo, NFC Lagos boss Simon Inegudu & Zik Zulu Okafor

There were also moving tributes by notable film, musical and entertainment big wigs. High Chief Tony Okoroji his remarks “ Eddie was a trailblazer, forerunner, and pathfinder for the movie industry and a lot of us draw inspiration from him. We must celebrate him not to think about him in terms of death, but what he did for the creative industry in Nigeria. I thank everyone who has found out time to be here.”

(l-r) Norbert Ajaegbu, Ibinabo Fiberesima & Alhaji Thomas Adebayo

The Executive Director of Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Alhaji Thomas Adebayo described Chief Eddie as "One of the truly iconic figures of modern times. His legacy would live on through his works and through all of us. The outpouring of tributes from professional practitioners is an accurate measure of the man; a man who gave his life to making peace where there was conflict, to defending the voiceless who were powerless, to promoting virtue where there was evil," he said.

(l-r) DGN President, Fred Amata, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe & Keppy Ekpeyong

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe said, “Uncle Eddie will always chastise and advise us Nollywood practitioners whenever we step out of line. It is getting too late to make the changes that we need to make for the industry to move forward we can learn to do better. The things Chief Eddie exposed to us about twenty years ago are now manifesting. He was an icon who gave his all to make the industry works.”

DGN President, Mr. Fred Amata & Tee Mac

The DGN President Mr. Fred Amata in his tribute said “I had a peculiar relationship with Uncle Eddie because he was a friend to my father who was also a filmmaker.; and he was more stringent with me than a lot of you. Apart from death, everyone has come up here today to celebrate life because there is nobody or leader in Nollywood who has not passed through the enigmatic feeling and advice of Uncle Eddie Ugbomah.”

(l-r) Mrs. Selekere Timiebi & Engr. Oga P. G Aboh

Mrs. Angela Selekere Timiebi in her vote of thanks said, “Thank you all for coming to witness the passage of an icon. Eddie was a man that stood for the truth. The junior ones that are coming are looking up to you. Eddie is not here, but you are all here to carry on from where Eddie has left us.” The lying in the state took a different turn when his old-time friend and music producer in 1971, Tee Mac took the stage to perform for the departed Eddie.

Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli Performing In Honour Of Late Eddie Ugbomah

Chief Eddie Ugbomah was finally committal to mother earth at his Lagos home in Ilogbo, Oko Afo area of Lagos state on July 12, 2019. Thirteen (13) children survive him.

(l-r) Alex Usifo, Ali Mahmood-Balogun & Paul Obazele

Present at the events is ace filmmaker Tunde Kelani, Mr. Zeb Ejiro (OON), Tee Mac, High Chief Tony Okoroji, former and present AMP Presidents, Mr. & Mrs. Madu Chikwendu, Paul Obazele, Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli (MFR), Zik Zulu Okafor, Ralph Nwadike; NFC Lagos Zonal Head, Mr. Simon Inegedu, NFVCB Member Keppy Ekpeyong; Mahmood Ali-Balogun, AMP Secretary Mr, Wisdom Nwankwo, Alex Usifo, Mike Nliam, Steve Mbhohio, Tony Akposheri, Kevin Ushi. Engr. Ogu P. G Aboh, Patrick Doyle, Dr. Tunji Sotimirin, Fidelis Duker, Famous Otakponmwem, Norbert Ajaegbu, Soibifaa Dokubo, Dr. Uche Sam Anyamele, Franca Brown, Emeka Ojukwu (Torino), Sam Boyo, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Shaibu Husseini, and many others.