By Deborah Enwerem
Dr Emeka Rollas, immediate past National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has mourned late Nollywood veteran Frances Duru, and called for strong support systems for actors in their trying times.
Rollas, in an emotional post shared on his social media page, mourned the thespian who died at 57 on Friday, describing his death as a reminder of the need for greater unity and care within the film industry.
In the post titled “Casualty of Warfare: The Untold Pain of Francis Duru,” the past AGN leader expressed concern over the industry’s response to the welfare and challenges of colleagues.
He criticised what he described as the industry’s tendency to celebrate actors after their deaths rather than support them adequately while alive.
“We are becoming an industry that is quicker to celebrate the dead than to stand with the living.
“Today, social media is awash with RIP messages. Everybody suddenly has something beautiful to say about Francis.
“But where were we when our colleague was alive, when the industry needed genuine unity, when we needed to build structures that would protect our people? “he asked.
Rollas acknowledged that many colleagues cared for Duru, but stressed the need for more practical efforts to support practitioners during difficult periods.
“We must begin to ask ourselves whether we are doing enough for our colleagues while they are still alive,” he said.
He recalled that Duru lost his mother in November 2020, his father in September 2021 and his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi, in August 2024.
The former AGN president also recalled Duru’s commitment to his Christian faith, citing his attendance at a prayer service organised following the death of actor Junior Pope.
Rollas urged actors to remain prayerful, seek support when faced with overwhelming challenges and avoid allowing suspicion to undermine relationships within the industry.
He also expressed concern over envy, jealousy, unhealthy rivalry and accusations surrounding success and wealth in the entertainment industry.
“Let us not allow envy, jealousy and unhealthy rivalry to destroy the bond that should unite us as practitioners.
We must learn to protect our peace, stand together, and never allow suspicion to replace evidence or brotherhood,” he said.
According to him, Duru’s death should serve as a reminder of the need to build stronger structures to protect actors and address their welfare concerns.
He compared the public expressions of grief following Duru’s death with those that followed the death of veteran actor Olu Jacobs, questioning whether such tributes translated into lasting improvements in the industry.
He called on Nollywood stakeholders to translate expressions of sympathy into practical measures that would promote unity and support for living practitioners.
Rollas expressed condolences to Duru’s wife, his children and other members of the family, praying that God would grant them the strength to bear the loss.
He urged Nollywood practitioners to ensure that Duru’s death inspired meaningful changes in the industry rather than generating wave of tributes on social media.
“Let it provoke reflection, compassion, unity and meaningful change,” he said.(NAN)
Edited by Joshua Olomu
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