Osuofia resurrects Sam Loco

Ace-actor and comedian, Nkem Owoh popularly called Osuofia has a way of paying homage to a dear colleague or a friend whether dead or alive.


Nkem Owoh
The actor proved this much last weekend, when he mounted the stage to pay his last respect to his departed friend and older colleague, Sam Loco Efe. The event was a night of cultural exposition, held as part of activities that marked the late actor’s final journey home. It took place at the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, in Benin.

Mid-way into the event, and precisely after a dozen of local comedians, musicians and cultural dancers respectively mounted scintillating performances, Osuofia took the floor and quickly recreated the image of the departed actor on stage.

As soon as he mounted the stage, shouts of “Osuofia” rent the air. The comedian actor, dramatically moved from one end of the expansive stage to the other end, dancing and enchanting in a manner that invoked the spirit of the screen icon. He was later joined on stage by other Nollywood stars in attendance.

They were Ibinabo Fiberesima, Chinwe Owoh, Ofiafulu Mbaka, Patience Ozorkwor. Older actors who were present at the event were not left out either. Osuofia and Sam Loco, undoubtedly were like kindred spirits. His performance that night literarily brought Sam Loco back to life.

After Osuofia’s display, Mbaka, who led the Enugu state chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) took the floor shortly and conveyed Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State’s heartfelt condolence to the children of Sam Loco.

He later handed a parcel containing half a million naira to the family as the governor’s widow’s might. In his words, “Governor Chime is keen to immortalise Sam Loco like his Edo State contemporary by naming a street after him in Enugu.

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Edo State Government To Immortalise Sam Loco Efe

Edo State Government, Sunday, announced plans to immortalise the late veteran actor, Mr. Sam Loco Efe, who passed on in August. Governor Adams Oshiomhole said government will rename a street after Sam Loco while making his speech at the lying-in-state of late Loco at Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Benin.

Oshiomhole said: “In Edo State, I believe that it would not be enough to make all the rhetoric. We have decided to immortalise the late Sam Loco by naming a street after him. 

It will be a street that has been rebuilt and not one with potholes. When people drive on it they will remember the contributions of our late brother. 

“Sam Loco, by his contributions, simply cannot possibly die because his works will be played back and even children yet unborn will be able to watch and see his contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

“As I remarked in the condolence register, Sam reconnected all of us in our living rooms at various times. Several governors sent me condolence messages.

“It shows that this man wrote his own history by his works. So to the family, you have every reason to be proud to say I am the son or the daughter of Sam Loco.”

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Genevieve, Omotola, Aki and Pawpaw, Others Shun Sam Loco's Tribute Night

It was a Night of Tribute for late Sam Loco Efe yesterday at Ojez Restaurant, National Stadium, Surelere, Lagos The event was put together by colleagues of late Sam in the industry, and also by the various bodies in Nollywood; AMP, NANTAP, AGN, ANTP, DGN, and others. 

Some Nigerian was surprise that many older actors in the industry, top actors who have passed through the legendary actor were not at the event. Popular faces like Aki and Pawpaw, who act as miserable children of Sam Loco in most films they act together were missing at the event. 

Also not present were Genevieve Nnaji, who was reported to have cried when Loco's death was announced; Omotola Jolade, Susan Peters, who is reported to be in Lagos; Rita Dominic, who is also in Lagos; and many others. Only Monalisa Chinda and Lilian Bach were the top female actors that showed up at the event. 

Also present were St Obi, Emeka Ani, Jude Orioha, Okey Bakasi, Julius Agwu, Emeka Enyiocha, Bob Manuel, KOK, Ifeanyi Dikeh, Abubakar Yakubu and many others According to Paul Obazele and Zik Zule Okafor, outgoing and incoming president of Association of Movie Producers respectively, they lamented that the development was not healthy for the industry, especially to Sam Loco Efe, who they all passed through before being the stars they are today. Corroborating this was Akin Lewis, according to him, all must come together in unity whenever being called upon.

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Gov Akpabio Gives 5million Naira To Sam Loco’s Children

The children of late veteran Nollywood actor, Sam Loco Efe, who is yet to be buried, are now five million naira richer courtesy the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Apkabio. 

The gesture was made by the Governor at the movie premiere of Nollywood actresses turned producers, Ini Edo and Emem Insong’s I Will Take My Chances. The event took place at the Akwa Ibom States banquet hall on Saturday, September 24. 

The event, which saw heavyweights in the make-believe sector of Nigeria like Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), Ramsey Noah, Genevieve and others in attendance, was also attended by Gov. Akpabio, who was the host.

Gov Akpabio made the donation to the actor’s children in appreciation what the actor did to the movie industry and how the comic actor affected the people with his talent while he was alive. This is not the first time the Gov is giving out money to support entertainers.

Recently in Lagos, at the Teslim Balogun stadium, where Nollywood stars played against Music stars in a novelty match in honour of the late Lady of songs, Christy Essien Igbokwe, the Gov made a similar gesture. Sam Loco Efe died some weeks back at his hotel room, where he was shooting a movie. He his slated to be buried later this month.

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