August 2021 witnessed many deaths of prominent Nigerians.
Some died as a result of COVID-19 complications and other kinds of age-long sickness while others died as a result of old age.
Here is a list of prominent Nigerians who died in August 2021:
- Legendary singer Sir Victor Uwaifo
Legendary singer and guitarist, Sir Victor Uwaifo died at 80.
Uwaifo studied at the University of Benin where he obtained a First Class in Applied Arts at 54, a Master’s Degree in Sculpture at 56, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Architectural Sculpture at the age of 77.
The ‘Joromi’ crooner and iconic highlife music percussionist celebrated his 80th birthday in March.
He was renowned for his hit tracks such as ‘Joromi’, ‘Mami Water’ and ‘Guitar Boy’.
- Billionaire businessman Capt. Hosa Okunbo
Billionaire businessman Capt. Idahosa Okunbo, popularly known as Captain Hosa, an indigene of Benin in Edo State, was born on January 7, 1958. He died in London, after battling pancreatic cancer.
The Olu of Warri, HRH Tsola Emiko, who is married to Okunbo’s daughter, Ivie, is an in-law.
- Permanent Secretary Ahmed Joda
Elder statesman, Ahmed Joda who grew up as a herder died at 91.
During his lifetime, he had served Nigeria meritoriously as a civil servant, first in the old Northern Region, and later at the federal level, rising to the position of permanent secretary.
He belonged to the class of the highly influential group known in the Aguiyi-Ironsi and Yakubu Gowon regimes as Super Perm-Secs, which also had in its ranks the late Allison Akene Ayida, Chief Philip Asiodu and Alhaji Musa Daggash.
Joda died in Yola, the capital of his home state, Adamawa.
- Shagari’s wife Hajiya Hadiza
Hajiya Hadiza, the wife of a former president, the late Shehu Shagari died at 80.
The family head, Muhammad Bala Shagari, said in a statement: “We lost her in the early hours of Thursday at about 3.00 am, after battling COVID-19 at the Gwagwalada Isolation Centre in Abuja.”
- Nollywood actor Stanley Okoro
Nollywood actor Stanley Okoro popularly known for his comedy roles in movies also died in the month of August.
He died from a suspected case of food poisoning.
- Prince Ifeanyi Dike
Veteran actor Prince Ifeanyi Dike died in the month of August.
Dike was confirmed dead hours after Tinsel star Victor Olaotan was announced dead by his widow.
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President Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas who confirmed the incident, said that Dike died after being ill for two weeks.
Dike, who was chairman Board of Trustees Actors Guild of Nigeria, died in Lagos.
- Gani Fawehinmi’s son Mohammed
Mohammed Fawehinmi, son of the late activist-lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN died at the age of 52.
The family disclosed that Mohammed died from COVID-19 related complications.
He was buried in his hometown – Ondo, Ondo State, beside the tomb of his father and grandmother.
- Nollywood actor Rich Oganiru
Nollywood actor, Rich Oganiru, died in the month of August, weeks after reports of his ill health surfaced online.
The Owerri-born actor died on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, after being ill for months without funds to cater for his health.
A video of Rich Oganiru lying in his sickbed and begging for financial assistance had surfaced online.
- Veteran actor Victor Olaotan
Veteran actor Victor Olaotan died at the age of 69.
Olaotan, who became popular for his role as Fred Ade-Williams in MNet’s popular series, Tinsel, died after six years of ill health.
He died on the day funeral rites for his colleague, Rachael Oniga, began.
In 2016, Olaotan was involved in a car accident, which left him bedridden.
- Security analyst Ekhomu
Renowned private security expert Dr. Ona Ekhomu, passed on after he took ill.
Born in March 1955, Ekhomu was the chairman, Transworld Security Systems and a founding member of the American Society for Industry Security (ASIS) International in Nigeria.
- Lagos PDP chairman, Dominic
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr Adegbola Dominic died in the month of August too.
The party’s spokesperson, Taofeeq Gani, confirmed Dominic’s demise in a statement.
Gani stated that Dominic died of a COVID-19 related ailment.
- Former PTF director Mu’azu
Former Director of Finance of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) Alhaji Hassan Mu’azu died at 83.
Mu’azu died in Kaduna after a protracted illness.
His son, Ibrahim, who confirmed that his father had been bedridden for a long time before he died.
- Ex-Foursquare Church’s G.O. Badejo
A former General Overseer (G.O.) of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Dr. Wilson Badejo, died at the age of 74.
The National Secretary of the church, Rev. Yomi Oyinloye, confirmed Badejo’s demise.
- Ayefele’s Station Manager, David Ajiboye
Ace musician Yinka Ayefele’s publicist David Ajiboye died in August.
Ajiboye, according to a statement released by Fresh FM, died of COVID-19 complications and was buried in his hometown, Okemesi-Ekiti.
- Ex-NFF President Oneya
Former President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Brigadier General Dominic Oneya (retd.) was born on May 26, 1948. Oneya, who hailed from Agbarho Kingdom in Ughelli, reportedly died yesterday in his home at Effurun GRA in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Oneya presided over NFF from 1999 to 2002 and he served in various capacities in CAF committees and recently headed the Ministerial Committee on Reforms in Nigerian Football
- Senator Nuhu Aliyu
A former DIG Operation of the Nigeria Police Force and senator for Niger North, Senator Nuhu Aliyu died in Kaduna after a brief illness.
Nuhu Aliyu was the first chairman of the PDP in Niger state before being elected into the Senate in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
Born in 1941, the deceased studied Advanced Police Management at the Police College Jos and rose to become a Deputy Inspector General of Police.
He was in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department before he retired.
- Renowned artist, teacher Grillo dies at 87
One of Nigeria’s most influential modern artists and art teachers, Prof Yusuf Grillo died at 87.
According to a statement, the first President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) died at the Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos state after a ‘brief illness’.
He was buried at the Atan Cemetry, Yaba on Monday according to Islamic rites.
Grillo, who was a prominent art teacher at the School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos before his retirement, trained at the Nigerian College of Arts and Science Zaria (now Ahmadu Bello University), and was a member of the Zaria School, a society founded in 1958.
Born in 1934 in the Brazilian Quarter of Lagos, Yusuf Grillo went on to become one of the most influential figures in Nigerian art.
After studying extensively in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Grillo became the Head of Art and Printing at Yaba College of Technology, a post he retained for over 25 years.
- Ex-NADECO chief Senator Biyi Durojaiye
Fourth Republic lawmaker, Senator Biyi Durojaye died in Lagos while receiving medical attention.
Durojaiye, 88, was once the Chairman, Board of Commissioners for Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
- Former First Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi
Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of late Nigerian Head of State, Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi died at the age of 97.
The former First Lady died peacefully Monday morning.
Her husband, and the Supreme Commander of the National Military Government, was killed on July 29, 1966.
Following the death of her husband, Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, never re-married.
- Ex-Deputy Senate President Mantu
Former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu died at 74.
A family source said the late Plateau Central Senator died at a private hospital in Abuja after nine days of sickness and isolation.
He informed Mantu died around 2 am on Tuesday.
Mantu, in 2001, was elected Deputy Senate President on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a position he held till 2007 when he did not return to the Senate.
He hailed from Gindiri District in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau and worked in various establishments before joining politics.
