Ailing Nollywood Actor, Amechi Muonagor is dead. He died after a protracted illness. Details of his death are still sketchy.
It was gathered that he died on Sunday afternoon.
Recently, a social media video showing him in poor health and begging for financial help has shocked many Nigerians.
He could be seen in bed with a bandage on his chest, barely able to talk.
Another actor, sitting next to him, explained that Muonagor needs money to pay for a kidney transplant.
In the video, released last Monday, a clearly distressed Muonagor, said in the Igbo language: “Igbo people, I greet you all.”
He is unable to continue and actor Kingsley Orji takes over explaining that the veteran performer is suffering from kidney-related issues.
“It has not been easy. He has been in this condition for months now. He wants to go for a kidney transplant,” Orji says.
“He just came back from the ICU… a couple of days ago. He was responding to treatment but not very well.
“We decided to bring him home because there was no money but it is not advisable. He barely talks well. Please, he needs your help,” he adds.
Reacting to the video, many people have been expressing their sadness, saying they are praying for the actor and pledging money.
Muonagor’s health issues, and the death of Mr Ibu earlier this month, highlight a huge problem facing Nollywood actors and their healthcare.
As they are paid on a film-by-film basis many are not part of a health insurance scheme or able to make regular payments. Although the Actors Guild of Nigeria says it has been able to get an insurance company to cover the industry, not all performers have signed up.
During his career Muonagor appeared in dozens of films, including Aki and Paw Paw, one of his most famous roles where he played the father of two mischief-making, over-exuberant teenagers.
