Nollywood Actor Ernest Asuzu Passes On

January 27, 2021

Nollywood actor Desmond Asuzu is dead. News Central TV was informed that he slumped and died at about 9pm on Tuesday.

Reports made available to News Central said his wife was said to have called fellow actor Desmond Elliot to announce the death to him.

Ernest Asuzu began his acting career in the ’90s and rose to prominence after he starred in the 1997 Nollywood classic, ‘Rituals’

He was the toast of Nollywood until his career nosedived after he came down with a stroke in 2015 and it affected his speech. He was also bedridden for three years.

In 2015, he announced that Jeremiah Funfeyin of Mercyland Deliverance Ministry healed him of stroke.

The cleric reportedly gave him a new SUV valued at about N3.5m and N1.5m as startup capital to help revive his career. For eight years, he battled depression and was rumoured dead at some point.

“ I was rumoured dead, some people said I was mad; that I was a never-do-well. It hurts badly. I don’t know what they want to achieve by wishing me ill. Some said my ex was behind my problems but I honestly do not know and I have not asked her.,

When we were dating, I introduced her to God. I think she was too heady, she doesn’t like God. It didn’t work out in the long run because I cannot do without God.”

Author

Emmanuel Bagudu

Emmanuel Bagudu is a Kaduna state (north-west Nigeria) born Multimedia Journalist currently reporting for News Central TV in Kano State. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA. Hons.) In Theatre and Performing Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and currently running a Master's Degree. Bagudu began journalism practice as a youth corps member in 2009 at DAAR Communications (AIT & RAYPOWER FM) in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, where he gained skills in reporting, non-linear editing, scripting and camera operations.

He has published groundbreaking investigations on;

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1. Corporate Transparency in the Extractive Sector - Commissioned by -Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)
2. Damage Caused by the Looted Funds by Ex-Taraba and Plateau Governors Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye - Commissioned by -Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)
3. Fact-checking Convicted Reverend King’s Presidential bid in Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential Election - Commissioned by DUBAWA.COM, a subsidiary of Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)
4. And lots more

He was also the winner of the 2020 edition of the SDG 16 innovation challenge in Nigeria in Abuja organised by Accountability Lab.