By Perekeme Odon
The
remains of the Chairman / CEO of Grand Touch Pictures, Mr. Chico Aziakpono Ejiro aka Mr.
Prolific has been laid to rest almost two months after he passed on December
25, 2020.
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Chico Ejiro
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Ejiro was buried on
Saturday in his residence at exactly 2.56pm at No. 1 Chico Ejiro Street, off
Owhelogbo Road, Ozoro, Isoko North LGA, Delta state. The final journey home had
kicked off on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, with a well-attended evening of
tributes and service of songs at the National Arts Theatre Complex, Iganmu,
Lagos state.
The interment began from Ozoro General Hospital mortuary at 11.47am to his homestead at No. 4, Iyethoto Street, Etivie Community, Isoko North LGA, Ozoro, Delta State. After a lying-in-state ceremony, family, friends, associates, and other dignitaries moved to the church to bid the Nollywood filmmaker farewell with a procession to the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), Royal Zone Parish, Ozoro, Delta state for the funeral mass.
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Mrs. Joy Chico-Ejiro & Son
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In his address, the officiating minister, Pastor Emmanuel Odili said Chico Ejiro, in his lifetime, exhibited traits that were enviable, as he never discriminated against anyone, selflessly accommodating and working for the good of others.
He said: “The traits Chico Ejiro exhibited ensured amiable co-existence in the film industry. But regrettably, these traits are being eroded in our society today.”
The reception at the Film and Broadcast Academy, Ozoro was filled to the brim with eminent Nigerian celebrities who came to pay their last respect to the late accomplished filmmaker.
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(l-r) Francis Duru, Zeb Ejiro, Justice Atigogo & Ejike Asiegbu
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Speaking highly of the late filmmaker, former President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr. Ejike Asiegbu, said, “Chico was a close friend that gave so much to the Nollywood industry, that’s why we are all here to pay our last respect to him. I worked for several years with him as his assistant director and also I acted in a lot of his movies. We will miss him so dearly. He was very humble and was always willing to help; even if he could not, he would lead you to others who can help. We are going to miss him dearly.”
Another colleague and friend, Mr. Francis Duru said, “Chico is gone. It’s painful, but he left a legacy. What do we owe him? Respect and solidarity; and that’s why we are here. He was a friend and brother who left his mark in the sands of time. We give God the glory for everything.”
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Officiating The Christian Burial Rite
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The Directors’ Guild of Nigeria (DGN) proficiently represented by its Public Relations Officer alongside Prince Emeka Ani presented a cheque of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000) to Mrs. Joy Chico-Ejiro as its structure stipulated. In his message of hope, the DGN President, Olorogun Fred Amata advised her that grief never ends, but changes. “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears as every next level of your life will demand a different version of you.” He stated.
Ejiro who
was featured in the 2007 documentary Welcome to Nollywood produced and directed over 200 movies in his
career.
He was married to Joy Ejiro, and they had four lovely children. He had two
brothers: Zeb Ejiro the best known of the new Nigerian cinema auteurs outside
of the country, and Peter Red Ejiro, also a movie producer.
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| (l-r) Parish, Nliam, Duker, Azuh, Nwagbara, Opa & Alex |
Present to pay their last respects were former President, Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor, former President, Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Mr. Fidelis Duker, President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, Chief Emeka Rollas, Ejike Asiegbu, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Vice President (AMP), Amb. Blessing Ebigieson, Francis Duru and Steve Eboh.
Others include Prince Emeka Ani, Ejike Metuselah, Comr. Patrick Ikpirima, Alex Enyengho, Justice Atigogo, Mrs Temitope Duker, Azuh Arinze, Berkley Ashiafa, Obi Osotule, Joe Dudun, Hon. Rita Daniel, Sam Obeakemhe, Ben Chukwuma, Tony Chukwuma, Charles Biriabebe, Fifi Godwin Nwokedi, Tony Wyse Inebu, Salome Oputa, Mike Nliam, Myke-Parish Ajaere, Abay Esho, Opa Williams, Collins Onwochei, Benjamin Njoku, and Charles Nwagbara.
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Pallbearers carrying The Remains Of Chico Ejiro
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Chico Ejiro Lying-in-state In His compound in Ozoro Village
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Children Of Chico Ejiro Displaying His Photos
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Chico Ejiro Children
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Chico Lying-in-State In Church
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Mike Nliam & Abay Esho
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Chico Ejiro Buried At His Residence
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(l-r) Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma. Ejike Asiegbu & Francis Duru
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Charles Nwagbara & Michael Parish
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(l-r) Steve Eboh (Ajebo) & AGN President, Chief Emeka Rollas
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| Ejike Metuselah & Bob-Manuel Udokwu |
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Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma & Dr. Jammy Guanah
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| (l-r) Mike Nliam, Fidelis Duker & Opa Williams |
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Celebrity Journalist, Azuh Arinze & Abay Esho
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(l-r) Alex Eyengho, Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma & Obi Osotule | (l-r) Mrs. Tope Duker, Azuh Arinze & Zeb Ejiro
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|  | Steve Eboh aka Ajeboh
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 | (l-r) Charles Biriabebe, Francis Duru, Perekeme Odon, & Ejike Asiegbu
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 | Sam Osiakpe Obeakemhe & Joe Dudun
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 | Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor & Mr. Azuh Arinze
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 | (l-r) Charles Nwagbara, Berkley Ashiafa & Dr. Opa Williams
 | Justice Atigogo & Clement Mudiaga Enajemo (Mudi)
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 | Prince Emeka Ani & Mr. Fidelis Duker
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 | (l-r) Opa Williams, Fidelis Duker, Bob-Manuel Udokwu & Azuh Arinze
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 | AMP Delta State Chapter with Iyke, AMP VP, Blessing Ebigieson, Solomon Apete
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 | Michael Parish & Perekeme Odon
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 | (l-r) Blessing Agofure, Ese Martins, Dr. Opa Williams & Alex Eyengho
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 | Mike Nliam & Abay Esho (Safari)
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 | Michael Parish & Charles Biriabebe
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 | Bob-Manuel Udokwu
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 | Solomon Apete & Kingsley
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 | Nollywood Film Director Alex Eyengho
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 | Kome Chico-Ejiro
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 | Mrs. Fifi Godwin-Nwokedi
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 | Berkley Ashiafa & Collins Onwochei
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 | (l-r) Ben Chukwuma, Sam Obeakemhe & Comr. Patrick Ikpirima
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 | Ejike Asiegbu & Charles Biriabebe
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 | Comr. Patrick Ikpirima & Ejike Asiegbu
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 | Henry Ejeta, Eazzy Ologe, Francis Duru & Charles Biriabebe
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 | Ejike Asiegbu & Francis Duru
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 | (l-r) Charles, Opa Williams, Alex Eyengho, Prof. Barclays & Obi Osotule
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 | Bob-Manuel Udokwu & Solomon Apete
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 | DGN Presenting A cheque To Mrs. Joy Ejiro
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 | AGN Isoko Zone
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 | (l-r) Blessing Agofure, Fidelis Duker & Friday Akpobome
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 | (l-r) Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, Salome Oputa, Fifi Nwokedi & Bob-Manuel Udokwu
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 | Sam Osiakpe Obeakemhe & Tony Chukwuma
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 | (l-r) Charles Nwagbara, Mike Nliam, Joe Dudun, Fifi & Abay Esho
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 | (l-r) Mike Nliam, Fidelis Duker, Opa Williams & Alex Eyengho
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 | Comr. Patrick Ikpirima & Ejike Asiegbu
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 | AGN President, Chief Emeka Rollas & Michael Parish
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|  | Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Solomon Apete & AMP Delta State
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 | AMP VP, Blessing Ebigieson & AMP Former President, Zik Zulu Okafor
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 | Azuh Arinze & Clement Mudiaga Enajemo (Mudi)
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 | Abay Esho & Collins Onwochei
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 | Mrs. Tope Duker & AMP Vice President, Blessing Ebigieson
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 | DOP Jocole & Kevin Uvo
 | Actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu & Director Henry Ejeta
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 | (l-r) Ben Chukwuma, Fidelis Duker, Obi Osotule & Blessing Agofure
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 | Fifi Godwin- Nwokide & Salome Oputa (CDGN Reps)
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 | (l-r) Obi Osotule, Tony Wyse, Ben Chukwuma & Collins Onwochei
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 | Tolu Agienoji & Morris Zeb-Ejiro
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| Mr. Fidelis & Mrs. Tope Duker |
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| AMP VP, Solomon Apete, Iyke & Delta State Members |
