Nollywood mourns Oronto Douglas

Tributes and condolence messages have been pouring in from the Nollywood community in reaction to the death of one of the president’s close aides Oronto Douglas.

Douglas was special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on research documentation and strategy. He was also well-known as a Nollywood ally due to his contributions to industry through his influence on federal government policy on the Nigerian film industry.

Notable Nollywood celebrities such as Uche Jombo, Omoni Oboli and Rita Dominic have all paid tribute to late environmental and human rights activist.

Uche Jombo Rodriguez posted on Twitter: “This is sad! Oronto Douglas! Courageous and brave, may he rest in peace. #RIP”

Omoni Oboli posted his picture on her Instagram page and captioned: “Adieu dear friend! The tears won’t stop. I will miss you Oronto Douglas! Nollywood patron and friend. May you rest in the bosom our lord and may your family be comforted. May they never know lack. Sleep well.”

Rita Dominic wrote: “When I heard this sad news early hours of this morning, I secretly prayed and hoped it was a lie but no, he’s actually gone. He was kind, a big brother, uncle, friend, gracious, jovial, friendly, humble and a good friend to the entertainment industry. May God rest your soul oga Oronto Douglas till we meet to part no more. #Heavencouldnotwaitforyou #Godknowsbest #RIP.”

The Africa Movie Academy Awards also released a statement signed by founder Peace Anyim Osigwe mourning with his family and celebrating Douglas’ special history with the organisation.

“On behalf of the management and Staff of the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, I join the family and friends of Late Mr. Oronto Douglas, Special Adviser to the President on Research, Strategy and Documentation, whose sad demise from mother earth happened early morning today Thursday April 10th, 2015.

“AMAA as an award organization has a long history with Mr. Oronto Douglas from his days as the Commissioner of Information in Bayelsa State. He actually midwifed AMAA when the then Governor Depriye Alameyesiegha told him to work on our proposal”.

“For about 11 years now, we have maintained our relationship with this worthy son of Nigeria and environmentalist. The birth of AMAA also marked the beginning of his association with Nollywood, the Nigerian film Industry, which Mr. Douglas has partnered and worked with till date.

“AMAA and Nollywood will sorely miss him and President Goodluck Jonathan will also miss one of his trusted aides. We wish his family, friends and close associates the fortitude and grace to bear this irreparable loss.”

Douglas, who would have clocked 49 on August 6, cut his teeth as a young lawyer and environmental rights activist. He was the deputy director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, a group devoted to “protecting the environment”.

He was a member of the legal team that represented Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists at their trial under Gen. Sani Abacha’s government in 1994-95. The Ogoni Nine, as they were called, were executed in November 1995 in what was described as “judicial murder”.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and had been battling the disease since then. He left behind a wife and two young sons.