Family releases Esiri’s burial arrangements

FAMILY of late Nollywood actor, Chief Justus Esiri, yesterday, released details of burial arrangement for the Village Headmaster.

According to the spokesman of the Esiri family and ace photojournalist, Mr. George Esiri, the late actor will be buried in his hometown of Abraka in Delta State on Friday, April 12.

There will be service of songs for the late Esiri on April 9, followed by a commendation mass at St. Jude Catholic Church, Mafoluku, Lagos, on April 10.

Immediately after the service the body is expected to be flown to Warri in Delta State for the second and final phase of the burial arrangements.

According to the spokesman, the body will then proceed to Abraka where there will be another commendation mass/lying-in-state at the Polo Turf in Abraka on April 12.

The body will, thereafter, be moved to his residence in Abraka for interment and entertainment of guests.

Chief Esiri popularly known as the Village Headmaster, died on February 19 this year following a complication from diabetes.

Born in 1942, Esiri had his primary and secondary school education in Abraka and Warri, respectively, before proceeding to the Maximillan University and Weners Institute of Engineering in Germany, between 1964 and 1968.

Having worked for some time as a newscaster with the Voice of Nigeria, German Service, he veered into movie, had a stint with the Schiller Theatre in Berlin before returning to Nigeria in 1976.

The late actor played a key role in the production of Dr. Ola Balogun’s movie, Dinner with the Devil, as well as during the Second World Black and African Festival of Art and Culture in Lagos in 1977.

He is survived by Mrs Omiete Esiri, widow; children, Mrs Ophlia Edewor, Mrs Ejiro Efijemueh, Mr. Justus Esiri Jnr, Dr. Sidney Esiri (Dr Sid), Mr. Andrew Esiri, Miss Tobor Esiri and grandchildren.

Vanguard Nigeria