Stakeholders in the TV and film industry also confirmed her passing away.
Nollywood film director, and film festival founder, Fidelis Duker confirmed Oniga’s death.
He said: ‘Another Iroko has fallen. It’s true Rachel Oniga is dead. She died last night. It’s a sad loss for Nollywood.’
CEO of Best Of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi also confirmed the incident.
The Next Movie Star creator, Sola Fajobi also expressed sadness over the death of the veteran actress.
He said: “it’s a sad loss. I am personally pained because I have a personal relationship with her but God knows best.”
The death of the actress is coming after the passing away of veteran singer and broadcaster, Feladey.
Oniga has featured in over 200 productions – TV and films.
Her last major movie appearance was in comedian Bovi Ugboma’s comedy flick, “My Village People”which premiered on June 6.
Ojora told Premium Times on Saturday morning that: “She passed away on Friday night around 10 p.m. She had malaria and typhoid.”
He said that they were both supposed to meet on the ” Sensations” movie set this (Saturday) morning.
Her son, Olatunji, also told Punch that his mum died of Malaria.
Lagos State Chairman of the Guild, Emeka Rising, had earlier confirmed the news of her death in a telephone interview with this newspaper on Saturday morning.
“I got the news this morning, I have been down and surprised.”
Mr Rising promised to call back and share more details about Ms Oniga’s death.
Goldmynetv, which shared the news on Instagram, revealed that the veteran actress had only a few days ago shot some scenes in a movie in Mowe, Ogun State, before her demise on Friday night.
Ms Oniga, who hailed from Delta State, was born on May 23, 1957 in Ebute-Metta, Lagos State.
The veteran actress featured in some of the best English and Yoruba Nollywood movies until her death.
She became a household name after starring in the Yoruba classic family drama, “Owo Blow”.
She began her acting career shortly after her divorce. She was a full-time housewife and before then, a computer programmer.
After the separation, she went into business trading, travelling and buying things.
She worked briefly at Ascoline Nigeria Limited, a Dutch Consultant Company before she made her acting debut in the Nollywood classic (Memorial Hospital) in 1993 and her debut Yoruba movie was ‘Owo Blow’.
Over the years, the multiple award-winning actress featured in notable Nigerian films including “Sango”, Wale Adenuga’s television series, ‘Super story”, “Doctor Bello”, “Out of Bound”, “30 Days in Atlanta”, “The Royal Hibiscus Hotel”, “The Wedding Party”, and most recently, “My Village People”.
