Who takes over from Sam Loco Efe?

By Adedayo Odulaja

The death of massively popular actor and gifted comedian, Sam Loco Efeeimwonkiyeke, took the whole of the industry by storm and on account of his impact and lengthy years of being around, it was not surprising. He died in his room at Rapport Hotel, Amakohia, Owerri in Imo State and an account says he was a man who liked lodging in hotels rather than settling down in apartments. The tributes that have poured in for the man, who became famous among even his artistic peers due to his light-hearted nature and homourous manner, have not come in drizzles. They have come in heavy torrents and are yet to cease at the time of writing this piece. Many among those who have had the opportunity of act with him at any point or the other have expressed sadness at the unexpected demise of the late Edo-born movie star. So also have those who have been impressed or affected by the sheer mastery of his craft both on stage and on the screen. Among these have been Nigeria’s number one citizen, President Goodluck Jonathan, who bemoaned the death of the actor and described it as a great loss to the Nigerian movie industry. Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, has also commiserated with the family of the deceased and the entire Nollywood community as a whole. Fashola, in a letter to Segun Arinze, National President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, said “It is indeed heart-rending to think that the very familiar face and very likeable humour merchant whom I had known since my teenage years, has taken a final exit from life’s stage.” Fred Agbeyegbe, a playwright who started creating sparks in the industry many years ago, said Efe was everybody’s favourite artiste. “He was a man full of jokes and he took Nigerian theatre to quite the heights in his commitment to the presentation of what is the best and never looked after his own welfare, most of the time he was more concerned with making sure that theatre progressed. God will rest his soul. We worked together on one occasion when we were shooting The King Must Dance Naked into a television series in a place called Ilogbo near the Badagry expressway. He was there and always giving advice and making his presence felt and looking after the welfare of the people on set.” Others who have added their thoughts either by issuing statements or commenting on social networks like facebook and twitter include Ejike Asiegbu, a former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN; star actress, Genevieve Nnaji who said Efe was her first screen dad; popular director, Charles Novia; actresses, Rita Dominic and Ufuoma Ojenebor; broadcaster, Soni Irabor; Mufu Onifade, chairman of the Lagos chapter of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP); Ozi Okoli, National Director of Publicity of NANTAP; Prof Duro Oni, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos and many others. Different accounts of his age and year of birth abound in the media, certain reports say he was 66 while others believe he was 71 although some others quote him as being 73 years old but his true age, according to his profile at the Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG) Literature Prize held last year, was 71. What is not in doubt, however, is that the late movie and theatre veteran was born as Sam Efeeimwonkiyeke in Enugu although he is actually from Benin City, the Edo State capital. Efe played the role of young Akara Ogun during the premiere of the 2nd Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) at the National Arts Theatre in Lagos in 1977 and in Nigeria's entry play ‘Lamgbodo’ written by Wale Ogunyemi and directed by Dapo Adelugba for the festival and for which he was voted Best Actor. Reputed as one of the most truly talented actors in the Nigerian theatre and movie circles, Sam Loco, popularly called Uncle Sam, by younger peers, was an enigmatic performer who garnished his remarkable acting with a profound knowledge and mastery of Nigeria’s three major languages, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo which he could speak fluently. For many years, he distinguished himself as a rare talent in television, movie and stage efforts, acting under the directorial vision of the likes of Femi Osofisan, Ola Rotimi and other iconic playwrights. He was educated at the University of Ibadan and founded the Overamwem National Theatre Group which won many laurels in late 1960s for staged plays. In his young days, he worked for Michelin Tyre Company in Ijora, Lagos, and later Dunlop Nigeria Limited. Although, he was said to have quit drinking and smoking a few years ago, it was one of the reasons being pointed at as one of the likely causes of the sudden death which is being looked at as liver failure. But his inhaler, which was always with him, was said to have been found beside his body. Sam Loco Efe was chosen as special guest at the multimillion dollar - NLNG Prize last year in which he was described as “something of an institute.” The invitation letter written to the veteran performer, said “This year’s literature prize is for drama and there is no one, in our opinion, worthier of this honour than Sam Loco Efeeimwonkiyeke. “You have over the years changed your medium, but have not changed your gift for bringing smiles to the hearts and faces of our compatriots. You are an actor with whom everyone feels a special bond of kinship irrespective of tongue or tribe.” Loco won three awards in the THEMA edition of 1996 and was at a time the National Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Actors Guild of Nigeria as well as chairman, board of veterans of the same guild. His performance at FESTAC 77 was of matchless beauty and his dominant virtues were that of love for self, family, nation and his profession. Some of the popular movies, which Efe, whose corpse has since been moved to the mortuary, took part in were Sergeant Okoro, Old School, Ukwa, Alice My First Lady, Games Fools Play, German Wahala, Old Cargo, Across The River, A Fool at 40, Brain Box, Magic Cup, Mama Sunday and Men on the Run and many more while his part in Everyday People, the TV soap in which he acts as Chief Emudiagha, stands out also. He acted in the premiere performance of some of the popular plays read in book forms over the years in universities, polytechnics and colleges Beyond Sam Loco Efe, the list of comedians in the theatre and especially, the movie circles; is fairly long but a closer look at who can take his place would require names to be mentioned. Victor Osuagwu is one man who has also captured hearts of many in some Nollywood movies but when it comes to acting in top rated movies in which it is more of your way with words as against over-acting, there is a doubt in his ability. How then will he manage to excite in a long running weekly soap for instance or a play that is not solely based on comedy and of which he would only play a part. Another one is John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu. The man seems unable to go the hog alone especially when usual suspects like Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze are not there. Although he is a considerably talented individual, questions abound concerning the believability of many of his actions in movies. Also one to rely on his mates a lot to make sense, consider if you have to see him in a movie at a cinema and moreover, their types of run-of-the mill movies seem to be fading out of sight. Nkem Owoh comes with a lot of credibility as one of those actors who can create a sensation out of nothing. Widely known as Osuofia, he was reported to be the highest-earning actor in Nollywood at a time due to his pull power and said to have cut his teeth as a production assistant on the set of Ken Saro Wiwa’s Bassy and company in those days. He has delivered on many occassions especially in movies and the blockbuster, Osoufia in London but is he not also fading or better still, can he add the stage part to it and still do well? Charles Inojie is always acting in the comedy movies along with the likes of Victor Osuagwu, John Okafor as well as Osita and Chinedu. Most of the movies can be very boring while some are down right annoying. It is not sure if he would be considered a serious candidate for the crown held by late Sam Loco who was effortlessly homourous. His foray into the world of directing would surely be more successful as evident in Champions of Our Time. Although his acting is Nollywood Hustlers is top notch along with Bishop Ime Umoh. Bishop Ime Umoh, as stated above, is sparkling in his role in Silent Scandals but even in that flick, his below par interpretations are not few but that is about how good it gets for him. However, his worst so far, as far as this writer is aware, is in Edikan, an entire Efik language movie produced by the Royal Arts Academy in which he plays the role of a pastor. But other movies where he can be manageably endured is in the moving effort, Bursting Out but as far as taking over from Sam Loco is concerned, he is just not there. Chinwetalu Agu is another person who has a way of getting an entry into the minds of people even when they are not prepared for it. He has a particular profound manner of coming up with one Ibo expression in each of the movies which would definitely be among the things you would remember about the movies later. But is his acting deep enough or can he be trusted to be as professional as carrying on in a manner of reinventing for better performances? The evidence abound that he cannot provide the sustainable attraction that can last. There may be other candidates around, even in the Yoruba and Hausa sections of Nollywood but if we are going to witness a performance that got even General Olusegun Obasanjo as military Head of State interested at FESTAC 77, the search for a replacement of Sam Loco might be longer and more intense. That is if you are not thinking of his enigmatic portrayal as King Odewale in Ola Rotimi's mega popular pay, The gods are not to blame