The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of Nollywood actor Chijioke “Cjay” Nwokafor.
Actress Nkechi Blessing announced his death on Instagram on Wednesday, sharing videos of herself with the late actor.
Blessing did not disclose the cause of his death but said she had cancelled the release of her movie, Egusi Ogbono, in his honour. Cjay featured in the film, which had been scheduled for release at 5pm on Wednesday.
The actress said she spoke with Cjay around 8am on Wednesday but received news of his death a few hours later after a hospital confirmed it.
“Cjay Nwoke Oma, so this is really the end? Omo we had plans. I spoke to you at 8 a.m. today and a few hours later you are no more with us,” she wrote.
Other colleagues also expressed shock over the actor’s death.
Actor Charles Born said he had planned to visit Cjay at the hospital, while Emeka Nwagbaraocha expressed disbelief in a post on X.
As of press time, Cjay’s family and colleagues had not disclosed further details about his death or announced funeral arrangements.
Cjay began his acting career in 2021 and featured in several Nollywood productions, including Larry Cold, Mum Overnight and A Day to My Wedding. He was an indigene of Anambra State.