We are heartbroken 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, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. An Officer of the Order of the
Niger (OON), The Otun Amuludun of the Source in Ile-Ife Osun 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 Oria Abraka, 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
Ophlia Edewor, 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.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF THE LEGEND
Born on 20 November 1942 in Oria-Abraka, Delta
State, Esiri attended Urhobo College Effurun in the then Bendel State, Warri.
He also attended the Maximillan University, Munich,
German, 1964, Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin, 1967 and the
Ahrens School of Performing Arts, 1968.
It is believed he started his acting career in
Germany. He was the only Nigerian male performing on stage between 1968 and
1969.
According to reports, he also worked for Voice of
Nigeria, German Service as a translator; and it was while performing on stage
in Germany that a delegation from Nigeria invited him home to perform in a
government sponsored programme. He never returned to Germany.
Soft-spoken but firm, Esiri was a fun-loving and
scandal-free actor who brought respect and regard for a profession that was for
many years looked down on by the Nigerian society.
And it is no surprise that one of his sons is today
a leading entertainer in his own rights, making music that’s making millions
happy. Dr. Sid, one of Esiri’s sons who broke the news of his death,
spent years studying to become a dentist, before dumping his certificate and
facing music.
With son Dr. SID |
‘I just called him and told him both the negative
and positive aspects of the entertainment industry and he has to be focused. I
scolded but gave him my blessing and he picked up.’, Esiri once said of his
son’s choice.
He had six children with his Kalabari wife Omiete.
A recipient of the Nigerian national honour, THEMA
Awards, NTA Honours Awards and AMAA Awards, amongst many others, he was a
greatly decorated performer who won accolades home and abroad for his talent,
hard-work and consistency.
Justus Esiri, 70, was an avid golfer.
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