Connect with us

Entertainment

SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death

Published

on

124 Views

Story by: Zik Zulu Okafor

His social life was blunted. Perhaps by his reticent disposition.His persona, two dimensional. To a distant public, he was upscale and cool. His manly bearing spoke loud. His onscreen image ironically amplified some idiosyncrasies; heroics, romantic adventures and traits that did not gel with the mortal privacy that eerily define his quiet and lonely life.

Saint Obi, real name, Obinna Nwafor, was shy, almost bordering on timidity and insecurity. He cherished the pleasantly tranquil interractions among a few friends. He would vanish at any outburst that could upset the poise of such small meetings. As he repeatedly told me, he just wanted to live a cool, quiet and fulfilled life.

But, has he lived this cool and fulfilled life he envisioned ? I have my doubts.

I tell Saint’s story here with painful tears in my eyes; because he was a star, a super star whose life turned out a gleam of irony .

Yet, it was this stardom that fetched him his much professed financially strong and powerful wife . And their wedding, that solemn ritual of love, would drastically alter the cause of his life and tragically yank him off the creative community that threw him up for the wife to capture and indeed conquer.

Their marriage was at best a dramatisation of love. It was quick. He barely told us that he found a wife. Then, the marriage happened. It was something of a mystique, only those involved understood the histrionics that played out . None of us who were his closest pals, who walked with him through the crucible to the crest of his career in Nollywood, was invited. The distance between us and the guy I admirably called Saint of the Storm had begun. This gulf would widen with each year. We saw him perhaps once in a year after this marriage.

And life actually seemed to have given him a fair shake of the dice. He dressed well, drove big cars and even his skin, in literal lingo, spelt wellness.

The Saint would be blessed with three beautiful children. But not one occasion were his friends in Nollywood invited for christening or birthday. We were told that his wife was of the topmost hierachy in telecom giant, MTN . But even if their celebrations were designed to be a rendezvous of the elites of the technocracies that his wife chiefly belonged, you expected that Saint would reach out to a few of his fellow creatives, for even if they would herald his small beginnings, there could be no tinge of shame to it because we all have our journeys and our stories. And even at that, the actor or cineaste in Nollywood is by no means poor.

But more tragic is the fact that his marriage did not only take away Obinna from his friends, it took him away from Nollywood. Saint stopped acting, absconded from his career and perhaps his calling.

It would seem prognostic now. Yes, because I recall leaving my house in Lagos Mainland for his massive office in Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was about six years ago. There, I demanded to know why my friend abandoned our industry. He told me with his usual shy expressions that he wanted to focus on some other businesses and also to work behind the camera. Because his visage was unconvincing to me, I told him in stark terms, that whatever his new vision and pursuits, he must not abandon the trade that made him who he was.

It took another three years for Saint to return to his homies. But when he did, some of the deeply disappointed ones sniggered behind him. This was because the simmering rumours of cracks in his marriage had hit home. And though secretive in his ways, he knew it was time to open up. And he did. “I do not know why my wife’s sibblings see me as a gold digger. They confront me, harass and fight me in my own matrimony. And my wife did nothing to stop them. I work hard, I earn my money. I have never depended on my wife”, he lamented, eyes blurred with tears. You could tell he was in deep pain. By the next visit, the Saint returned with a deep cut from knife on his left eye. His wife’s brothers, he said, scaled the wall fence of their house to attack him. They were captured by hidden closed-circuit television, CCTV, installed for surveillance and security, he revealed.

He reported them at the police station and subsequently acquired a gun to defend himself. This effectively marked the beginning of the end of his marriage and perhaps Saint Obi’s long walk to a sad end. He moved out of his marital home to a new house to begin the reconstruction of his destiny, alone without his wife and worse still without his three beautiful children.

Meanwhile, his wife went to the police to defend her sibblings using her financial power to manipulate the cause of justice, Saint stated unequivocally. The wife also sued for divorce, not in Lagos, but in Ogun state. As Saint put it, “It was to make the journey difficult for me. But I will not bend neither will I break. I will fight with my last blood to take custody of my children. They love me and they know it will be hard for me to live without them.The divorce is not an issue. My marriage has long been over”, he said with a mix of courage and a quaky heart that betrayed his distress.

About mid last year, however, Obinna took ill. But he told no one. He simply became scarce. He was in and out of hospital, we would later learn. He sold two of his three big SUVs to take proper care of his health and to acquire six camry cars he’d use for Uber. But his vanishing health continued unabated. He seemed to have a premonition of his own passing as he wept repeatedly about not seeing his children. He emaciated. Life took a grim picture. When I saw him by chance in January 2023, the dude called Saint looked 15 years older than his age. His macho cut had shrunk. His fat wallet was gone. What was left was only his fat will. His eyes seemed lost in their socket. This would be the last time I would see him.

Saint snuck out of Lagos to hang in with his sister in Jos. He told no one.

But a month ago, in April precisely, the once delightful actor who brought joy to many a home broke his icy silence. He called our mutual friend in US to give him a devastating message. He was on a deathbed, he said and wanted our friend to pray for him. “It’s not looking good, pray, pray for me”, he appealed passionately.

His next call came on May 1, 2023. This time to his mentor, the man who made him a star with his productions, Zeb Ejiro, OON. He told him with a wavering voice that he had had three surgeries but was still in hospital in Jos. He averred again that his situation was not looking good, that he is also in a deep pain, distressed that he could not see his children. But still he begged him not to tell anyone about his ailment. Such was the life of this creative hermit, a lonely trouper.

I was the first to hear the news of his death late on Sunday, May 7. Having confirmed it, I called Zeb Ejiro. “I have a very bad news my brother, Zeb”, I began.

“What is it, what is it, Zik Zulu?”, he asked anxiously. “A big star has fallen in Nollywood”. Zeb broke down in tears. I hadn’t said who it was. But sobbing helplessly now, he said, “Don’t tell me it is Saint Obi”.

Sadly, Zeb was right.

May his soul find peace.

*Zik Zulu Okafor is a veteran journalist, a film producer and a former President of Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP).

This piece also serves as a tribute to the late movie star, Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi, who was a bossom friend of the house.

Credit: Zik Zulu Okafor

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Gen Z Slang: Bet, Simp, Glow Up and More

I’m Dead: When something’s really funny, Gen Z won’t just say “lol.” They’ll say “I’m dead,” meaning something is so funny it killed them with laughter, rather than just typing “lol.”

Published

on

By

19 Views

image credit : howstuffworks

Language evolves, and Gen Z — born between the 1997 and 2012 — has introduced an entire dictionary of expressive, clever, and sometimes confusing slang.

These Gen Z slang terms dominate social media platforms, group chats, and online video game lobbies.

Here’s a breakdown of the phrases you’ll hear from this generation.

  1. 1. No Cap: Used to express truth, “no cap” means someone is being honest or serious. If you say, “This new song is fire, no cap,” you’re saying the song is great (fire) and you truly believe it.
  2. 2. Bet
  3. Bet is a casual way of saying “OK” or “I’m down.” It’s a quick response that shows agreement or enthusiasm. You might use it instead of “sure thing” in real life or online.
  4. 3. Simp
  5. Originating in Black American hip-hop slang, simp became a derogatory term for a man perceived as overly subservient to a woman in the hope of winning her affection. Saying, “You’re such a simp,” carries negative connotations, especially in a romantic relationship context.
  6. 4. Main Character
  7. To describe someone as the “main character” is to say they carry themselves like the star of a movie. It’s both a compliment and a slight knock, depending on tone — often used in social media captions and stories.
  8. 5. Glow Up
  9. A “glow up” refers to a transformation — usually physical or stylistic — that makes someone look or feel better than before. This phrase is a great example of Gen Z’s thirst for self-improvement and style.
  10. 6.Cringe
  11. Cringe is used to describe anything awkward, embarrassing, or trying too hard. If your Baby Boomer uncle uses Gen Z slang words unironically, that might earn a “yikes” or a full-on “big yikes” from the group.
  12. 7. Touch Grass
  13. A favorite insult among Gen Z, to tell someone to touch grass means they’re online too much and need to get back to real life. It’s a witty way to say “log off and go outside.”
  14. 8. Vibe Check
  15. “Vibe check” is all about gauging someone’s mood or the feel of a space. Passed the vibe check? You’re cool. Failed it? Time to reassess your energy.
  16. 9. Whole Meal
  17. Calling someone a whole meal is a step beyond calling them attractive. It’s a bold phrase used to express approval or attraction: “She’s not just cute, she’s a whole meal.
  18. 10. I’m Dead
  19. When something’s really funny, Gen Z won’t just say “lol.” They’ll say “I’m dead,” meaning something is so funny it killed them with laughter, rather than just typing “lol.”
  20. In other words, this is the Gen Z equivalent of using a crying-laughing emoji to show something is hilarious. It shows they’re expressing excitement and humor in a big way.
  21. Source: HowStuffWorks
Continue Reading

Entertainment

NFVCB June Films top by ROK Studios, Silverbird Distribution, and OSSYKing Movies

62 films were rated 15, thirteen movies got an age 12- rating, 3 films were marked ‘G’ for general viewing and two of the movies were classified PG (Parental Guidance).

Published

on

By

26 Views

• Nollywood films cast

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) approved a total of 151 films for the month of June 2025 against 53 films earlier reported erroneously.

The approval also revealed the growing consistency of top production houses like ROK Studios, Silverbird Distribution, and OSSYKing Movies, which featured prominently in this month’s listings.

Breakdown of classifications from the Censors Board website shows that 71 were classified as rated-18 years, out of the 151 films approved.

62 films were rated 15, thirteen movies got an age 12- rating, 3 films were marked ‘G’ for general viewing and two of the movies were classified PG (Parental Guidance).

This classification points to a growing shift toward mature, emotionally complex storytelling, with 18-rated titles accounting for nearly half of the approved films.

This classification underscores a noticeable dominance of 18-rated titles and English-language productions.

It also reflects the increasing pace of local film production across regions and genres.

English-language productions accounted for the bulk of the approvals, continuing their stronghold as Nollywood’s dominant medium.

However, a fair share of Yoruba and Igbo titles also made the list, reaffirming the role of indigenous voices in the cinematic landscape.

Notably approved indigenous-language films include Obim (Igbo), Iyawo Eniyan and Ajegunle Lawa (Yoruba) and Itene (Idoma).

There was no hausa-language films approved during the month, marking a recurring gap in representation from the North.However, Itene produced in Idoma, was one of the few from the Middle Belt.Among studios with multiple entries include ROK Studios had a strong presence with films like Perfect Wife, Strings of Love, Hidden Truth and My Sugar Daddy, primarily rated 15 and 18.Silverbird Distribution secured approvals for Rebirth of King Kong and Jurassic World Rebirth, both notable for their international appeal.

OSSYKing Movies had a consistent output with Stray Bullet, Palace of Torment, and The Cost of a Lie, all within the 15–18 range.

The Executive Director of the NFVCB, Dr. Shaibu Husseini reaffirmed the Board’s stance on guiding responsible storytelling and content regulation.

“We are committed to encouraging stories that reflect Nigeria’s values and cultural richness while ensuring public safety through proper classification,” he said.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

2Baba Marries Natasha In Private Wedding Ceremony

2Baba’s wedding to Natasha Osawaru marks a significant shift in his personal life, garnering both support and criticism from fans.

Published

on

By

25 Views

Popular Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia known popularly as Tubaba has married his new lover, Natasha Osawaru at a private wedding ceremony, in Abuja.

Leadership newspaper reports that the low-key event was attended by close family members, with videos circulating online showing the couple posing with their traditional wedding cake.

Recall that this development comes months after 2Face engaged the serving Edo State lawmaker in February 2025, just days after publicly announcing his separation from his wife, Annie Macaulay Idibia.

The marriage has since sparked widespread conversation on social media, with many fans expressing mixed reactions to the singer’s latest move.

2Baba’s wedding to Natasha Osawaru marks a significant shift in his personal life, garnering both support and criticism from fans.

Congratulations to 2Baba and Natasha as they tie the nuptial knot.

Continue Reading

Trending