Foremost Abuja Based Entertainer, Colins Ifeanyi Chukwu Dies

In what has become like an evil wind blowing across the entertainment industry in Nigeria and just as Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the death of Goldie, popular Abuja based actor, director and producer, Collins Ifeanyi Chukwu is dead.

The artiste died yesterday at the Maitama General Hospital after a brief illness. He is survived by his young wife, Blessing Collins, and little son, Doxa Efechukwu Collins.

The news, which was confirmed yesterday by the chairman of the guild in Abuja, Agility Onwurah, has thrown the Abuja chapter of AGN into mourning. The usually boisterous Access Garden, which is the official location of the guild's activities, was full of tears and wailings yesterday.

A call placed to his wife yesterday was answered by her mother who said Blessing Collins was not in the right frame of mind to speak. The mother-in-law however confirmed the sad news.

Doxa Efechukwu Collins, his sole heir, was born on May 12, 2012, and was dedicated on Sunday July 22 at the Christ Chosen Church of God, Gwarimpa, Abuja, after which his parents treated entertainment practitioners to a lavish ceremony at their Jikwoyi residence.

“It is quite unfortunate that the young lady has been widowed at this early age with such a little boy. This is a big loss, not only to the family, but to the entertainment industry in Abuja,” Frank White, chairman of the Producers Guild of Nigeria, Abuja Chapter lamented.

The late Collins had a knack for producing gospel movies and has to his credit The Burning Flames, el-Gibor, Back to Bethel, and was before his death, working on another blockbuster.

He is one of the very successful Abuja based entertainers who have been able to prove that you don't have to be in Lagos to make it in the industry.

Until his death, he was the PRO elect of the Actors guild of Nigeria, AGN, Abuja chapter.

· George Emine, Asst. Editor, Nigerian Pilot Saturday (newspaper), is the media director to the late Collins Ifeanyi Chukwu