Nigerian Filmmaker Eddie Ugbomah Dies Aged 78

The famous Nigerian film maker Eddie Ugbomah has passed away after battling a with a terminal illness.  

The Chairman of the Chief Eddie Ugbomah Medical Fund broke the news to press on Saturday. He died in a Lagos hospital where he was due to undergo a surgical procedure.

He was famous for producing true-life story movies; The Rise and Fall of Oyenusi (1977), The Boy is Good (1982, Apalara (1986), Oil Doom (1980), Death of A Black President (1984), Omiran (1986) amongst others. Though he hailed from Delta state, he spent most of his formative years in Obalende and Lafiaji, Lagos. After his education at St. Matthias, Lafiaji and City College, School, he left Lagos for London to study drama, journalism and film at various institutions. He also worked at the BBC and played minor roles in Guns at Batasi and Dr. No.

Ugbomah belong to the generation of film makers that preceded what the phenomenon called Nollywood. His films treated contemporary socio-political issue and he was appointed chairman of the Nigerian Film Corporation in 1988.

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the entertainment industry, particularly movie makers, in mourning the passage of veteran filmmaker, Chief Eddie Ugbomah, who died at 78.

His reaction was contained in a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina;

Buhari condoled with family, friends and associates of the ace actor, director and producer “whose contribution to the development of Nigeria’s film industry remains indelible, starting out early with studies and training in London, before returning in the 70’s to promote drama and movies.

“The President believes Chief Ugbomah was not only a gifted storyteller but a social commentator and activist, as the themes of his stage and tube presentations explored narratives that directly impacted on many lives and advocated better government policies and programmes.'“