President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran Nollywood actor, Richard Francis Duru, who passed away at the age of 57, describing his demise as a painful loss to Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The President extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, his colleagues, admirers and the entire Nigerian film industry, acknowledging his contributions to the growth and development of Nollywood.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Duru belonged to a generation of actors whose dedication, talent and commitment helped establish Nollywood as a major platform for storytelling and cultural expression.
He noted that veteran actors such as Duru played significant roles in shaping the artistic identity of Nigeria’s film industry, nurturing emerging talents and projecting the country’s rich cultural heritage to audiences within and outside Nigeria.
According to the President, the contributions of Nollywood’s pioneers have been instrumental in transforming the industry into an important vehicle for promoting Nigerian stories, traditions and values on the global stage.
Tinubu observed that the influence of accomplished entertainers transcended their lifetimes, stressing that artists who devoted their careers to entertaining, educating and inspiring society would continue to be remembered for their contributions to national development.
He maintained that Duru’s artistic accomplishments and contributions to the evolution of Nollywood would remain an enduring part of the industry’s history and Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s recognition of the strategic importance of the arts and entertainment industry to economic development, cultural preservation and the promotion of Nigeria’s image internationally.
He assured members of the creative community that the Federal Government appreciated their invaluable contributions to the nation’s development and their role in projecting Nigeria’s identity across the world.
Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of Duru’s soul and asked God to grant his family, friends, professional colleagues and admirers the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.