TRIBUTE...Muna Obiekwe: Nigerians demand better health plans for Nollywood

The death of Nollywood actor, Muna Obiekwe, has left thousands of his fans shocked and heartbroken. His death, which started off as a rumour on Sunday night, had a lot of people doubtful at first, which left most who took to the internet to confirm the news thinking that it was a mere celebrity death hoax. However, by Monday morning, verifications had been made from various quarters and it was confirmed that the light skinned actor
had indeed, passed on.
According to reports, Muna Obiekwe lost his life after battling with kidney disease. Some sources disclosed that the actor had long been battling with the ailment, but failed to reveal his predicament and consequent financial handicap to many of his colleagues in the industry. Nollywood actors and other entertainment personalities like Uche Jumbo, Mike Ezuruonye, Stella Damasus and others who confirmed the death of the talented Nollywood actor, also in their posts, declared that they were not privy to information about his health condition. Even the Nigerian Actors’ Guild president, Ibinabo Fiberesima, said that she was unaware of the actor’s illness before his sudden death, information which many entertainment critics stress is quite disturbing for industry practitioners.
Following Muna’s death, some of his fans took to social media platforms to attack the Actors Guild of Nigeria’s president, Ibinabo Fiberesima and other actors, accusing them of abandoning their own.
Ibinabo had taken to her official Facebook page to share a very touching tribute to the late actor when some fans attacked and accused her of abandoning her members.
Some people wrote, “Did you know he was sick? Why couldn’t the Guild come to his aid? So sad! Another talent gone”.
“Exactly how come he could not afford treatment? President, you should get your members insurance o. It is sad the way talents are dying. Such a sad loss. Was hoping it was not true. RIP. Will miss you...”, another commented.
Ibinabo had replied stating that the Guild would never abandon their members but would always take action when informed; “We never ignore our members. If we are informed of a situation we take action. Please, like I said, lets pray not curse. We have gone out of our way to help non Guild members, talk more of our own. We never neglect anyone. We have an active insurance plan . We have begged our members and still begging them to re-validate their membership and join the health plan. There is only so much anyone can do. Muna was revalidated and on the health plan. Please, let’s beware of what we say if we don’t have the facts please”, she allegedly replied.
Jide Bamikale, a movie critic, in a chat with Friday Treat, said that he was disappointed that such a talented act could die without personalities in the industry trying to save his life. He lamented that the Nigerian entertainment industry, with its current status as one of the fastest rising in the world, could not, till date, structure a detailed and well publicised health benefit/fund raising scheme for its members, thus making them vulnerable to all kinds of challenges.
He said, “All we hear about most of our celebrities is their display of ‘fake’ live; cars, fashion and extravagant lifestyle. They fail to take care of their own when need arises. This is one issue that needs urgent attention. It is not good enough that many of Muna’s colleagues claimed not to have known about his health status because I am sure some of them knew. They should have called on others who did not know. It is so sad that he is dead now and accolades are pouring in. It was Muna, it could be anyone tomorrow”.
Some of the actors and actresses also confirmed from their posts also that the film industry in Nigeria is no better than a ‘make-believe’, as everyone is just content with the publicity and showing off involved in the business. Actress, Ify Okeke made it known that there are no real friends in the industry.
It is also true that the health system in Nigeria needs a revamp as unconfirmed reports said that the late actor could not afford the money needed for daily dialysis. Ify Ikeke opined that, although Muna did not open up to anyone in the industry about his health situation, most of the actors and actresses in Nigeria preferred showing off than helping fellow colleagues.
However, same could not be said about the music industry as many of them often showed support for one another. OJB Jezreel, a prolific music producer, song writer and artiste is a living testament today.