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Amaka Igwe’s final hours!

-Husband cries

‘I’m still in shock’

Daughter prays

‘The Lord is our strength’

+Nollywood colleagues eulogise her

THE death, on Monday, April 28, 2014, of prolific filmmaker and media entrepreneur, Amaka Igwe has devastated her family, the entertainment industry and the nation at large.

In a brief telephone chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Sunday, May 4, 2014 (at about 3.22 p.m), Amaka’s grief-stricken husband, Charles Igwe almost broke down, saying he is yet to recover from the shock of her sudden death.

...with hubby, Charles
…with hubby, Charles

“I’m yet to recover from the shock.  And you don’t expect me to be granting interviews now.”  That was all the said, pleading to be left alone.  At least, for now.

The deceased’s only daughter, Ruby has also handed her family’s pains and fate over to God Almighty.  In a remarkable and emotional post on her Facebook wall on Saturday, May 3, 2014, the Kent University, United Kingdom law student and writer wrote: “I lift my hands to believe again, You are my refuge, You are my strength.  As I pour out my heart, these things I remember.  You are a faithful God forever.”

Amaka Igwe’s two sons, David and Daniel, who are still in their early teens are also pained by their mom’s untimely death, especially when she practically died in their arms.  “They were all together in Obinagu-Udi, Enugu State when she had the asthma attack that later turned fatal.  And since the day their beloved mother passed on, they have been moody and withdrawn,” a source told ENCOMIUM Weekly.

On how the respected filmmaker died, ENCOMIUM Weekly was reliably informed that the Igwes were actually on a vacation/retreat of a sort when they lost the Nollywood colossus.  Her plans, we gathered, was to spend few days in her hometown before kicking off the shooting of an Igbo movie in the second week of May.  Unfortunately, Amaka Igwe didn’t live to commence the production of the movie that would have given fresh impetus to Igbo language films/series.

...with her children, Ruby, David and Daniel
…with her children, Ruby, David and Daniel

Unconfirmed sources also said the prolific filmmaker  was rushed to some hospitals in the Coal city where she was not attended to because of the strike action embarked upon by health workers in the state.

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians in and outside the entertainment industry have been eulogizing the fallen filmmaker.  Former National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ejike Asiegbu described her demise as a vacuum in Nollywood.  He prayed God to console her family.

Star actor, Omoni Oboli also mourns the filmmaker who she described as the mother of Nollywood when one takes into consideration her contribution to the evolution of Nollywood.

In a phone chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Sunday, May 4, 2014, famous movie director, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen lamented the gradual depletion of able creative hands in the industry.  “We need to pray because some of our best hands are going.”

From Government House Owerri, Imo State, star actor, Shirly Igwe also sent words to console the bereaved Igwes.  “I pray that Almighty God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

The veteran producer behind critically acclaimed early Nollywood flicks like Rattlesnake, Violated, commercially viable series like Checkmate and Fuji House of Commotion, among many others also got heart-touching tributes from her other Nollywood colleagues including Uche Odoputa, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Charles Novia, Julius Agwu, Genevieve Nnaji, Yaw, Kate Henshaw, Stephanie Okereke, Joseph Benjamin, Chika Ike, Desmond Elliot, Rita Dominic, Stella Damasus…

Amaka Igwe, 51, has been in the movie industry for over 20 years.  She left behind her 80 year-old mom, Mrs. Patience Ijeoma Ene, her husband and three children: Ruby, David and Daniel.

The family is yet to release her burial plan.

 

WHAT YOU DON’T  KNOW ABOUT ASTHMA

AsthmaASTHMA is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing.  It usually results from an allergic reaction on other forms of hypersensitivity. It is a chronic lung infection that inflames and narrows the airways.

According to medical experts, things can actually trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.  They mentioned allergies from dust, animal fur, cockroaches, pollins from trees, grasses, flowers, fried food, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace as well as perfumes and body sprays, etc.

Even physical activity including exercise and infection may also trigger asthma.

Asthma is, however, different for each person.  Some of the triggers listed above may not affect every patient.  There are also triggers not included here.

In the case of Amaka Igwe who could not survive her last asthma attack, it could have been that any of the triggers may have flared up her condition while she was at home or involved in the pre-production of her forthcoming movie.

Amaka Igwe could not get the instant medical attention she badly needed to survive the surprise attack on the night of Monday, April 28, 2014.

 -UCHE OLEHI and MICHAEL NWOKIKE

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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