Nollywood mourns veteran actor, Zulu Adigwe

The Nigerian film industry is mourning once again with the passing of veteran actor Zulu Adigwu.

Adigwe's death was announced on Facebook by renowned film producer and singer, Mike Nliam. He wrote, "An Icon passed on today. A rare gem with a fantastic sense of humor! I watched Uncle Zulu on TV as Mr. B in the hit Ken Saro Wiwa's TV series 'Bassey & Company' when I was in secondary school in the 80s."

"We became close in 2003 when I cast him as part of the cast of the movie 'Blood Diamonds,' which was shot on location in Sierra Leone immediately after the country's civil war," Nliam continued. "Uncle Zulu until his death starred in 'a thousand and one' Nollywood movies and endeared himself to audiences across the world with his great baritone voice and his acting skills."

"He was also a music enthusiast, which led him to collaborate with Abay Esho and my humble self in a song he wrote titled 'Ugo Buluum'," Nliam added. "Unfortunately, I've not seen Uncle Zulu for a couple of years now before his passing, but I remember the times I worked together with this simple, jovial, humble achiever with great nostalgia. Uncle Zulu was indeed a jolly good fellow. May his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord," he concluded.

Confirming the sad news on Instagram, another film producer Stanley Nwoko wrote, "I regret to announce the passing of a veteran actor, late Mr. Zulu Adigwe. What caused his death is yet to be reviewed. Rest in peace, good actor."

Adigwe had his secondary school education in Germany and was one of the few Nigerians to receive first-class honors at the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Ibadan.

During his career, Adigwe was famous for his roles in movies such as "Living in Bondage" and "Breaking Free," among others.

Adigwe's death comes weeks after the industry lost five practitioners in a boat mishap in Anambra State.