Nollywood Mourns as Cynthia Okereke Dies at 63
The Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has lost one of its veteran actresses, Cynthia Nkiru Okereke, who passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 63 years old.
Okereke was a versatile and talented actress who featured in many movies, both in English and Igbo languages. She was known for her emotional and sorrowful roles, as well as her comic and witty characters. Some of her notable movies include Osuofia in London, Wisdom of the Gods, Chibundu, Woman on Top, North and South, A Fool at 40, Reggae Boys, Nwando, The God to Serve, and Where Oceans Touch.
Okereke was born on April 20, 1960, in Enugu State, in the southeast of Nigeria. She started her acting career in the early 1990s and rose to fame with her outstanding performances. She worked with many prominent actors and actresses in Nollywood, such as Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Nkem Owoh, Patience Ozokwo, and many others.
Okereke was not only an actress but also a television personality, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She was involved in several humanitarian projects and initiatives to help the less privileged and empower women and youths. She was also a devout Christian who shared her faith through her movies and interviews.
Okereke’s death came as a shock to many of her fans and colleagues who took to social media to express their grief and condolences. One of them was film director Joseph Okechukwu, who wrote on Twitter: “REST IN PEACE, Nwanyi oma. I’m shattered beyond words. The fact that I was about to pay for your flight ticket to come finish what we started only to hear you went to be with Lord just last night is one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to deal with in recent times.”
Okereke is survived by her husband and children. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
