By Correspondent in Lokoja
Contrary to media reports in many quarters that the veteran actress, Racheal Oniga(64),died of complications arising from COVID-19 diesease,her family said the deceased died of heart related ailment.
A member of the family of the late Oniga, Deaconess Toyin Odusote, in a statement she released in Lagos on Saturday, said her sister died from a heart-related ailment that she battled within a short period.
The veteran thespian was said to have,only a few days ago, shot some scenes in a movie in Mowe, Ogun state before dead came calling on her last Friday night.
Many Lokoja residents,who spoke with the Correspondent of The Reporters in separate interview on the sad event described Oniga’s death as a colossal loss to the entertainment industry, especially the Nollywood family.
Mr Aminu Yahaya, who said that he was “an unrepentant fan of the Oniga,said, “it is most unfortunate that we lost such a big tree in the forest of the Nollywood family and the entertainment sector in general.
“The deceased was noted for eloquent delivering of her script in such away that her fans, in and outside the shores of Nigeria, will find it difficult to forget her exploits in a hurry.
Miss Abigail Momoh said she used to stay glued to watching any play involving “mama Racheal Oniga because I know that, at the end of viewing the home video, I would have learnt one or two lessons to better my life.
“The fact that Mama Racheal Oniga stayed away from controversy that has become a culture with some of our entertainers in the country shows that she was a thorough bred entertainer who knew her onions and used her talent to improve the entertainment industry with the attendant positive effects on the society.”
Others,who also expressed shock on the demise of the Nollywood icon,called on the Delta state government to immortalise Racheal Oniga’s name, to serve as a morale booster for other entertainers to put in their best to contribute positively to the development of the country.
The online publication gathered that the deceased was a native of Eku in Delta state, though born and bread in Lagos.
They also prayed God grant the deceased eternal rest,her family, the Nollywood family and the nation at large, the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
According to Wikipedia, the late Oniga, originally was from Eku, Delta State in Southern Nigeria, She was born on 23 May 1957 in Ebute Metta, Lagos State.
She began her acting career in 1993, shortly after her divorce.[
She worked briefly at Ascoline Nigeria Limited, a Dutch Consultant Company before her first movie, titled Onome and her debut Yoruba movie was Owo Blow.
Over the years, Oniga has featured in notable Nigerian films such as Sango, a movie scripted by Wale Ogunyemi, produced and directed by Obafemi Lasode and Wale Adenuga’s television series, Super story.
