Veteran Nollywood actor Jerry Amilo laid his daughter, Princess Chidera, to rest on Thursday, October 10, 2024. The tragic event comes just months after their joyous reunion, leaving the actor and his fans grappling with the sudden loss.
As dawn broke over Lagos, friends, family, and fellow actors gathered at the Ikoyi Cemetery to pay their final respects. The mood was heavy with grief, a stark contrast to the jubilant scene captured in a video Amilo shared on August 21, showing his reunion with Princess at Abuja airport after two years apart.
“Guess who is in the building? Princess is back in Nigeria!” Amilo had exclaimed in the video, his voice filled with joy. “Abuja airport we are leaving. So nice to have you.”
Little did anyone know that this happy moment would be one of their last together.
Standing beside a white coffin, Amilo, dressed in black and shielded by dark sunglasses, listened as elderly women sang mournful hymns. The actor, known for his tough-guy roles on screen, appeared visibly shaken.
“You took a part of me with you. I’m so speechless,” Amilo had written on Instagram on October 4, announcing Princess’s passing. The cause of her death remains undisclosed, adding to the family’s pain.
As news of the funeral spread, condolences poured in from across Nollywood. Actor Chinedu Ikedieze, present at the service, shared, “This is sad. Nwanne jisie obi ike. May God comfort you and your household.”
Angela Okorie, visibly moved, told our correspondent, “Jerry is like a brother to me. Seeing him in such pain… it’s heartbreaking. We’re all here to support him through this difficult time.”
Despite his fame, Amilo has always kept his personal life away from the limelight. While details about his family are scarce, it’s known that he is married with three children, including the late Princess.
Film director Tunde Kelani, who has worked with Amilo, reflected on the actor’s private nature: “Jerry has always been a consummate professional, separating his work from his personal life. This loss… it’s a reminder of the human behind the roles we see on screen.”
As the sun set on the solemn ceremony, Amilo’s final Instagram post of the day echoed the sentiments of all present: “Good night 🌙😴 My 👼 Angel. May your soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
The loss of Princess Chidera Amilo serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, touching hearts far beyond the boundaries of Nollywood. As the industry mourns alongside Jerry Amilo, the outpouring of support demonstrates the tight-knit nature of Nigeria’s entertainment community in times of tragedy.
