Cynthia Okereke

Cynthia Okereke was a Nigerian actress and film producer who starred in Katakata, Osuofia in London, and Idemili. She died on July 11, 2023.

Career

Okereke began her acting career in the late 1990s and gained prominence with her role in the television series Ripples. She went on to appear in Nollywood films, often portraying motherly characters and matriarchal figures. Some of her notable films include Reggae Boys, Osuofia in London, and Second Burial, Nwando, A Fool At 40 and Katakata.
She was a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Enugu Chapter, and was respected as one of the veteran actresses contributing to the growth of Nollywood.

Kidnap incident

In July 2022, Okereke and fellow actor Clemson Cornel were kidnapped in Enugu State while returning from a movie location. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of $100,000. Both actors were released unharmed a few days later, after what the Actors Guild of Nigeria described as “efforts by security forces and support from the film community”.

Death

Okereke died on 11 July 2023. Her death was confirmed by the Actors Guild of Nigeria, which noted that she died while sleeping. The president of the AGN, Emeka Rollas, mourned her death and described her as a "dedicated, committed, and hardworking actress".