Popular Yoruba actor and filmmaker, Mr. Murphy Afolabi, has died.
He was said to have fallen down in the bathroom at his Ikorodu, Lagos home on Sunday morning, May 14, 2023.
Another filmmaker who is also the president of the Yoruba movies directors guild, Seun Olaiya, shared the sad news on a WhatsApp platform populated by filmmakers.
He was corroborated by the Managing Director of the popular movie marketing company, Corporate Pictures Nigeria Limited, Abdullahi Abdulrasaq.
Olaiya wrote, “I swear to God just before the news, I was still hailing him. This is really a rude shock to me.”
Showbiz personality and the convener of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, also confirmed the news to The Punch, saying, “It is true. He passed away after taking a fall in his bathroom at his house in Ikorodu this morning.”
Also, nother filmmaker, Tunde Ola-Yusuf, posted a picture of the late actor on Facebook and added the quote, “Rest in peace. May God give the family and close associates the fortitude to bear the loss. Good night, Murphy Afolabi.”
Yet another filmmaker, Fidelis Duker, wrote, “What is really happening? I am just watching him in a movie now.”
According to reports, while reacting to the news, another Yoruba movie star, Odunlade Adekola posted the picture of Afolabi with the caption, “Jesus Christ, we lost Murphy.’
Also, several other popular Nigerian movie stars have taken to their respective social media handles to mourn the veteran actor.
Kemi Afolabi said: “Phew! Rest in peace, sir. Death a debt everyone owes and must pay.”
“R.I.P Adedigba. We will surely miss you. We drank from your River of knowledge, we know how important you are,the sad news this morning really broke my heart @alafinoro1 sun re ooo,” Kunle Afod wrote on Instagram.
In another post, the actor said: “Another library is burnt down today. A great philosopher. An icon with so much Yoruba knowledge. A lover of God @alafinoro1. You departed this sinful world early hour of today. May your gentle soul rest in peace.”
Reacting on Afod’s post, Yomi Fabiyi said, “May his soul RIP.”
Yinka Quadri, Madam Saje and many others also commented on Kunle Afod’s post.
Tunde Ola Yusuf also announced his death on his Instagram page.
Yusuf prayed for the late Afolabi’s soul farewell.
“We lost a strong Filmmaker Murphy Afolabi….May God rest your soul bro”.
Afolabi died a week after celebrating his 49th birthday on May 5.
He had written on his birthday thanking the Lord “on this day which is my birthday”, and asking for His blessings grace and courage to continue to serve Him faithfully.
He had prayed: “I come to You on this day and ask for Your favor. May You grant me wisdom and knowledge to do Your Will and to live a righteous life. Happy Birthday to me.”
Afolabi died less than 24 hours after news broke on the death of another Nollywood star, Saint Obi.
The 49-year-old actor studied Movies Production, Mass Communications, and Theatre Arts at Ire Polytechnic, Osun, where he studied.
Born on May 5, 1974, in Osogbo, Osun State, Afolabi, he got into the movie industry in 2001.
He appeared in over 60 movies before his death.
His film credits include ‘Ifa Olokun’, ‘Omowunmi’, ‘Jimi Bendel’, ‘Wasila Coded’, ‘Olokiki Oru’, and ‘Idera’.
