Justus Esiri (20 November 1942 – 19 February 2013) was a veteran award-winning

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

, generally considered to be one of the pillars of Nollywood with an acting career that goes way back to the 1960s. He came into prominence for his role in the popular

Nigerian Television Authority The Nigerian Television Authority or NTA is a Nigerian government-owned and partly commercial broadcast station. Originally known as Nigerian Television (NTV), it was inaugurated in 1977 with a monopoly on national television broadcasting, after ...

TV-series ''

The Village Headmaster ''The Village Headmaster'' (later renamed ''The New Village Headmaster'') is a Nigerian television drama series created by Olusegun Olusola and produced by Dejumo Lewis. Originally a radio drama series, the programme was Nigeria’s longest-runnin ...

'' and the film adaptation of

Chinua Achebe Chinua Achebe (; 16 November 1930 – 21 March 2013) was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as the dominant figure of modern African literature. His first novel and '' magnum opus'', ''Things Fall Apart'' (1958), occupies ...

's book ''

Things Fall Apart ''Things Fall Apart'' is the debut novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, first published in 1958. It depicts pre-colonial life in the southeastern part of Nigeria and the invasion by Europeans during the late 19th century. It is seen as the ...

''. He won Best Actor award at the

9th Africa Movie Academy Awards The 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony honouring movies of 2012 was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on 20 April 2013. The event was hosted by actress and former AMAA winner Ama K. Abebrese and Ayo Makun with many celebrities in attendance. ...

post-humously for his role in ''Assassins Practice'' and was also honored as the inaugural recipient of the "

Goodluck Jonathan Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (born 20 November 1957)Lawson Heyford, ''The Source'' (Lagos), 11 December 2006. is a Nigerian politician who served as the President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. He lost the 2015 presidential election to fo ...

Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards. The Nigerian government honored him with several National honors with the highest being an Officer of the

Order of the Niger Nigeria became an independent country on 1 October 1960 and in 1963 became the Federal Republic of Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Repu ...

, OON for his contribution to the development of Film-Making in Nigeria. He is the father of popular

Mavin Records Mavin Records (also known as the Supreme Mavin Dynasty) is a Nigerian music corporation record label founded by record producer and recording artist Don Jazzy on 8 May 2012. The label's inception came to fruition following the closure of Mo' Hit ...

Musician

Dr Sid Sidney Onoriode Esiri (born 1 May 1980), commonly known as Dr SID, is a Nigerian singer. Early life Dr SID is from Delta State, he was born and raised in Lagos. His mother is a fashion designer and his father, Justus Esiri, is an actor.

Early life and career

Justus was born in Oria-Abraka, Delta State on November 20, 1942. He then proceeded to Effurun and attended Urhobo College, in the then Bendel State. He left Nigeria for

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

for his higher education. Institutions he attended in Germany included Maximillan University, Munich, German (1964), Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin (1967) and the Ahrens School of Performing Arts (1968). While in Europe, he began his acting career. He was working as a German translator for the voice of Nigeria in Germany when he received an invitation home from the Nigerian Government to star in "The Village Headmaster" which he accepted.

Death and legacy

Esiri died in hospital in Lagos on 19 February 2013 from complications of diabetes. A tribute night, organized by the

Actors Guild of Nigeria The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) is an umbrella union that regulates and represents the affairs of film actors in Nigeria and abroad. The corporate headquarter is located at Suite 29, Block 2, N.C.A.C, Artiste Village, National Theatre, Iganmu - ...

, was held at the National Stadium on 8 April 2013. Mass was at St. Jude Catholic Church in Mafoluku,

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 fo ...

, on 9 April 2013, and a Service of Songs was conducted in Warri the following day. His body was then taken to its final resting place in his hometown of

Abraka Abraka, is a town in Delta state, Nigeria. It is also home to two of the main 24 urhobo kingdoms. It is mostly known as a university town and has the main campus of the Delta State University located there. Abraka town is a favourite destina ...

. Several government officials and entertainment personalities were present at his funeral.

Filmography

He has appeared in several Nollywood and TV productions including *'' No limit'' *''Wasted Years'' *''Forever'' *''The Prize'' *''Six Demons'' *''Corridors of Power'' *''Last Night, The Tyrant'' *''The Investigation'' *''The Ghost'' *''Assassin Practice'' *'' Doctor Bello'' *''Twin Sword'' *''Keep my Will'' *''Invasion 1897''

References

External links

Justus Esiri
at the

Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Esiri, Justus 1942 births 2013 deaths Best Actor Africa Movie Academy Award winners Male actors from Delta State 20th-century Nigerian male actors Best Supporting Actor Africa Movie Academy Award winners Members of the Order of the Niger 21st-century Nigerian male actors Officers of the Order of the Niger Deaths from diabetes Burials in Delta State Nigerian male television actors Actors from Delta State Nigerian male film actors