Popular Nollywood actress, Ms. Rachel Oniga, has died of malaria and typhoid.
According to her son, Olatunji, the actress died on Friday night around 10pm.
“She passed last night around 10pm. She had malaria and typhoid,” Olatunji said.
The Lagos State chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr. Emeka Rising, also confirmed the news of her death in an interview with Premium Times.
“We just got the news early this morning today. We have nothing to say other than to give glory to God for a life well spent.”
“I got the news this morning, I have been down and surprised,” he said.
Oniga featured in scores of Nollywood movies —both English and Yoruba— before her death.
Oniga, who hailed from Delta State, was born on May 23, 1957 in Ebute-Metta, Lagos State.
The veteran actress featured in some of the best English and Yoruba Nollywood movies until her death.
She became a household name after starring in the Yoruba classic family drama, “Owo Blow”.
Oniga began her acting career shortly after her divorce. She was a full-time housewife and before then, a computer programmer.
After the separation, she went into business trading, travelling and buying things.
She worked briefly at Ascoline Nigeria Limited, a Dutch Consultant Company before she made her acting debut in the Nollywood classic (Memorial Hospital) in 1993 and her debut Yoruba movie was ‘Owo Blow’.
Over the years, the multiple award-winning actress featured in notable Nigerian films including ‘Sango’, Wale Adenuga’s television series, ‘Super story’, ‘Doctor Bello’, ‘Out of Bounds’, ‘30 Days in Atlanta’, ‘The Royal Hibiscus Hotel’, ‘The Wedding Party’, among others.
Her last major movie appearance was in comedian Bovi Ugboma’s comedy flick, “My Village People” which premiered on June 6.
