Film loving Nigerians have continued to mourn the passing away of Nollywood's frontline producer cum director, Chico Ejiro.

On Thursday, his immediate constituency, the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), honoured the Isoko, Delta State-born filmmaker with tributes and encomiums, a man who single handedly churned out the highest number of movies at a time.

The DGN president, Fred Amata, said Chico Ejiro led an exemplified life, love, laughter and an irrepressible belief and faith in seeing the best in everything, even loss.

The full speech reads:

“How does one express the amazing essence and spirit of the Nollywood Iroko (Chico Ejiro) – his selfless generosity, uncompromising belief in all that is good and his unwavering commitment to the movie industry?

“Words, even the very best of words, cannot pay tribute or truly capture the sense of loss that we are all feeling at the moment.

“The loss is there, tangible and real within everyone…but Chico Ejiro’s exemplified life, love, laughter and an irrepressible belief and faith in seeing the best in everything…even loss.

“And so today we honor him, by profoundly feeling and expressing our loss but also by remembering Chico Ejiro – an amazing person who has played a unique and special role in all of our lives.

“We’ll remember you with all your special nuances and our memories from all the days gone before that we were privileged to share with you.

“And today we’ll grieve for you, cry for you and even smile because of you…

“And in all the tomorrows we’ll feel you – gone in some ways, but your presence ever near.

“To the family he left behind - @joychicoejiro, @ejirozeb etc, we pray the Lord comfort you and grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“We will all miss you, Chico Ejiro.

“Adieu, Nollywood Iroko

“Adieu, Mr Prolific.

“Adieu, Chico Ejiro.”

Chico, the third of the Ejiro brothers in Nollywood, made many stars and superstars through his production company, Grand Touch Pictures based in Surulere, Lagos.

His marriage of 22 years to Joy, his loving wife who is also a producer with Grand Tourch Pictures, produced four children.

He reportedly died of cardiac arrest at age 67, in the early hours of Christmas day, December 25, 2020 after completing shooting of a new movie the previous day.

A long standing friend of the house, Maggie’s Blog deeply mourns “Mr Prolific”, as he was fondly called by colleagues and friends, and pray God to console the family he has left behind.

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