Rachel Oniga, the veteran Nollywood actress, has passed away at 64. Samklef, Nigerian singer and producer, broke the news in a terse post via his Instagram page on Saturday.
“Sad news another legend is gone. Rip to my childhood actor @racheloniga May her soul Rest In Peace. Nollywood lost an angel,” he wrote.
The movie star was said to have breathed her last on Friday night.
Details of what led to her death, however, remain sketchy as of the time of this report.
Oniga started her acting career in 1993 after working briefly at Ascoline Nigeria Limited, a Dutch consultant company.
She made her Nollywood debut in ‘Onome’ and started pulling the strings after starring in ‘Owo Blow’, her first Yoruba movie.
Oniga went on to establish herself as a household name in the Nigerian movie industry, featuring in several hit movies including ‘Sango’.
She also gained prominence for her role in ‘Super Story’, a popular TV series by Wale Adenuga.
Her colleagues and other Nigerians have taken to social media to pen tributes to her as the news of her demise continues to spread.
Joining the fray, Bimbo Oshin, Nigerian actress, said she was left “speechless” by her death.
Heaven has just gained yet another beautiful soul. Aunty Rachel! Haa! I am speechless. . . . Rest in peace Aunty This life sha!” she wrote.