The former Nigerian Senate President, Bukola Saraki has paid tribute to a renowned actor, Saint Obi who reportedly died after prolonged illness in Jos on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
Saraki took to his Twitter account on Sunday while saying Obi, through his captivating performances and undeniable talent, did more than just entertain millions around the world.
He said the renowned actor served as a beacon of inspiration for a new generation of actors. “Alongside other pioneers, he played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the Nigerian movie industry as we know it today.
“His passing is a huge loss not only for Nollywood but also for the entire Nigerian entertainment industry and his substantial contributions will forever be etched into the annals of Nigeria’s cinematic history”, he noted.
The former Senate President prayed that Almighty God gives Saint Obi’s family, colleagues and supporters the strength that they need at this difficult time.
Meanwhile, the renowned actor was said to have died on Sunday, May 7th in the home of one of his siblings, in Jos, after a prolonged illness.
According to reports, the disagreement between his siblings is the reason why his death took almost a week to be made official.
Further details surrounding his death has been kept under wraps. Saint Obi, aged 57 years and has three kids who he shared with estranged, Lynda Amobi. The estranged couple were engaged in a bitter divorce custody battle before his untimely death.
Obinna Nwafor (Saint Obi) was a veteran Nigerian actor, producer, and director born on November 16, 1965. In Nollywood, he is well-known for his parts in films including Festival of Fire, Heart of Gold, Executive Crime, and State of Emergency.
Obi grew up in Jos, Plateau State, as the only son in a family of nine children, where he completed his primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
He attended Zang Secondary Commercial School and graduated from the University of Jos in 1991 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. Obi had always wanted to be an actor since he was a child, inspired by foreign films.