Justus esiri biography
Justus Esiri: Profile of the Village Headmaster (1942-2013)
Many years after it was rested, the 1980s Village Headmaster remained evergreen, its memory so compelling as to induce a move to reprise the drama series in 2013.
Although the original cast has been decimated by MERCY JOH a cycle of death, the man who played the eponymous role was alive to receive the news about the second coming of this drama under the new name of The New Village Headmaster. Sadly, however, Justus Esiri never lived to see it happened.
On February 19, 2013, the “Original Headmaster” bowed out of the stage of life. His demise attributed to diabetes, coming barely one week after the shocking death of Nigeria’s pop singer Goldie, was a rude shock to Nigerian movie lovers who had followed his career from the stage to the screen. His death is the latest of the grim reaper’s continuing ravages in the Nigerian entertainment circuit.
Justus Esiri was not just another actor. He was rightly declared as “one of the strong men of the African film industry.” Of his choice of career as an actor, he said: “My getting into this profession was because someone made me realize the wonderful talent I’ve got. He also recommended that I go to a school of performing arts to study theatre.” Famous for his iconic role in the Village Headmaster, where he played the Headmaster, he was reputed to have performed on more TV network drama programmes than any Nigerian actor.
He was also star of many acclaimed productions. His filmography include: Wasted Years, Forever, The Prize, Six Demons, Corridors of Power, Last Knight, The Tyrant, The Investigation and many more. One of his most recent movies, Assassin’s Practice, was produced last year.
Born in November 1942 in Delta State, Justus Esiri finished from Urhobo College, Efurum, Warri, in the then Bendel State, and then went to Germany for further studies. He attended the Maximillan Universi
Official Statement from the Family of Nollywood Legend Justus Esiri on His Death
Here is an official statement from the family of Justus Esiri on his death:
We are heart broken as we announce the passing of Chief Justus Esiri OON popularly known as the “Village Headmaster”, following a complication from Diabetes.
Chief Justus Esiri OON, was a loving husband, father, grand father, brother, uncle and friend. An Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), The OtunAmuludun of the Source in Ile-IfeOsun State,and Veteran Nollywood Actor.
He died in the late hours of the 19th of February 2013. Chief Esiri, born on the 6th November 1942 hailed from OriaAbraka, Delta State. He was a strong believer in family values, and a great supporter of Nollywood.
While we mourn the loss of a great man we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to the youth to work hard to achieve their dreams, and play their own part in building a greater nation.
For those who may ask what they can do to honour Chief Justus Esiri, we simply request that you honour his example of service, accomplishment and modesty and the next time you turn on your Television and see his face we ask that you keep his memory alive.
He survived by wife, Mrs Omiete Esiri, Children, Mrs OphliaEdewor, Mrs Ejiro Efijemueh, Mr Justus Esiri Jnr, Dr Sidney Esiri (Dr Sid), Mr Andrew Esiri, Miss Tobor Esiri and Grand Children.
Dr. Sidney Esiri and George Esiri
For the Esiri Family.
Justus Esiri
Adeola Adeyemo is a graduate of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from University of Lagos. However, her passion is writing and she worked as a reporter with NEXT Newspaper. She believes that anything can be written about; anything can be a story depending on the angle it is seen from and the writer's imagination. When she is not writing news or feature articles, she slips into her fantasies and creates interesting fiction pieces. She blogs at www.deolascope.blogspot.com
Justus Esiri
Nigerian actor (1942–2013)
Chief Justus Esiri OON | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1942-11-20)20 November 1942 Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria |
| Died | 19 February 2013(2013-02-19) (aged 70) Lagos |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1968–2013 |
| Notable work | Wasted Years |
| Children | Dr. Sid |
| Awards | Best Actor award at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards |
Justus Esirilisten (20 November 1942 – 19 February 2013) was a Nigerianactor, 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 TV-series The Village Headmaster and the film adaptation of Chinua Achebe's book Things Fall Apart where he played the role of Obierika. He won Best Actor award at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards post-humously for his role in Assassins Practice and was also honored as the inaugural recipient of the "Goodluck Jonathan 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, OON for his contribution to the development of Film-Making in Nigeria. He is the father of Mavin Records musician Dr Sid.
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 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
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