Bukky Ajayi: Don't wait until death to celebrate someone - Actors Guild, others pay tribute

Bukky Ajayi: Don't wait until death to celebrate someone - Actors Guild, others pay tribute

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr Emeka Ike, on Wednesday expressed shock over the demise of the veteran actress Bukky Ajayi.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja Ike described Ajayi, who died aged 82, as a hero and a role model.

"Bukky Ajayi is my mother, a veteran actress, a hero and a role model.

"We pray that the Lord accepts her soul so she can rest in peace; the Lord also should reward her for what she did for humanity.

He urged television stations, especially DSTV, to pay royalty to her children, adding that this will provide succor to the family.

"We also urge people, media houses, especially DSTV, to calculate everything that is tenable to her and pay it through her children.''

Mr Launcelot Imaseun, a movie producer, described Ajayi as an "Amazon" and very visible in theatre arts performance.

Imaseun recalled that Ajayi was honoured with "Industry Merit Award" at the fourth edition of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award which held on March 5.

He said it was important for actors and actresses to be honoured in their life time for self fulfilment.

"The last time I saw Bukky Ajayi was on March 5 when she received an award of merit.

"She mounted the podium on a wheelchair and she pleaded for the forgiveness from whoever she had offended and that she had forgiven people who offended her, which was like a valedictory statement.

"That was quite emotional and I commend MNET Africa, Africa Magic and other stakeholders for organising that award because I have always advocated that people should be honoured while alive.

"It is not when the person dies everyone will now be writing all manner of things. I feel so fulfilled that I was there when she was so graciously honuored by the industry.

"We give God the glory that she lived a fulfilled life," he said.

Mr Chukwuemeka Okereafor, Chairman National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) Federal Capital Territory chapter, said it was unfortunate the industry was losing its great personalities.

Okereafo,r however, said that the death of members was a clarion call for others endeavour to live a legacy.

NAN reports that Ajayi was once a news reader at the Nigerian Television Authorityand had featured in the popular NTA drama series "Village Headmaster," among others. (NAN)

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