Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, has identified the root causes of the frequent deaths among her fellow actors. Speaking in Lagos this week, she attributed these tragedies to carelessness and negligence within the industry.
Mama G, who attended the funeral of late comic actor John Okafor, known as Mr. Ibu, which took place in his hometown in Enugu State last month, revealed the deep impact the death had on her.
“When you are doing something you are enjoying, you wouldn’t bother to take care of your health. Once there is life in you, you keep doing what you are doing. And it’s something that pays back on your body.
“Some people are so careless that when they are sick instead of going to the hospital for a proper check-up, they prefer to visit a chemist or a pharmacy to buy a pain reliever. It’s no longer safe with me.
“I don’t know how many people are thinking like myself. That’s why I blamed it on carelessness. We are trying to put smiles on the faces of people while forgetting to take care of our health,“ Patience Ozokwor added.
Reflecting on why she broke down at Mr. Ibu’s burial, Mama G said that the reality of his absence hit her when she approached his body and called him by name. When he didn’t respond, it struck her that he was truly gone forever.
“At that moment, I broke down in tears. It’s not because I was expecting him to respond, but it was when I realised that this man is gone forever,” she said.
She encouraged her colleagues to prioritise regular medical check-ups and to eliminate harmful habits that jeopardise their health.