2022 has been an eventful year for the entertainment industry, as the deaths of some big-name celebrities left the industry in pain and fans in shock.
From actors to singers to reality stars, the entertainment industry witnessed several deaths, bringing grief to bereaved families and fans.
In no particular order, here are 10 celebrity deaths that rocked showbiz in 2022:
Ada Ameh
Nollywood veteran Ada Ameh died on July 17, 2022 at NNPC hospital in Warri, Delta State. She was 48 years old.
The cast and crew of the popular TV series, ‘The Johnsons’, hosted a ‘Tribute Night’ event in her honor as the series’ lead actress, on Thursday 18th August 2022, at Freedom Park, Lagos.
She was buried on Friday, August 26, 2022, at her father’s compound in her hometown of Otukpo, Benue State.
Alone Onayiga
Another veteran Nollywood actress, Sola Awojobi Onayiga, died on July 18.
The toothless actress was popular for playing Ireti in the now-defunct family drama, Fuji House of Commotion.
Ngozi Nwosu and Jude Orhorha, who co-starred in the drama series and fans of the show, mourned the late Onayiga.
Sammie Okposo
Popular gospel singer, Sammie Okposo, died in his sleep on Friday morning, November 25, 2022. He was 51 years old.
A night of tribute was held for him on Tuesday, December 13 in Lagos State, followed by a song service on Wednesday.
Okposo was buried on Friday December 16 in a private cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Biji Bandele
Biyi Bandele, Nigerian novelist, playwright, director of Half of a Yellow Sun and co-director of Blood Sisters, a Nigerian series, died on Sunday, August 17, 2022.
He was buried in Lagos on Friday, September 23, 2022.
The ceremony was discreet and was attended by the family and close associates of the late filmmaker.
lari williams
The founding national president of the Screen Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lari Williams, died at the age of 81 on February 27, 2022, after a brief illness.
On Friday, April 15, 2022, AGN and the Artistes Village community celebrated the life and times of the multi-talented artist.
He was buried on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in his hometown, Yala Nkum, in the Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State.
rich swavey
Former Big Brother Naija season 3 housemate Patrick Fakoya, popularly known as Rico Swavey, was involved in a car accident which led to him being placed on life support. He died two days after the accident on Thursday, October 13, 2022.
An evening of tribute and candlelight walk will take place at Retro Citi, Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday 19th October 22
A private service was held at Trinity Methodist Church, Tinubu Square, on Thursday before his burial at Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Osinachi Nwachikwu
Gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022 at the age of 42 after spending days in an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.
Nwachukwu had teamed up with another singer, Prospa Ochimana, to make the song, Ekwueme, which brought both of them into the spotlight in 2017.
Following reports of domestic violence that led to her death, the federal government brought 23 charges against Peter Nwachukwu, her husband, charging him with manslaughter.
Tafa Oloyede
Yoruba actor, John Adewuni (popularly called Tafa Oloyede) died at his residence in Osogbo on February 1, at the age of 69.
The Nigerian Film and Theater Arts Producers Association, Osun Chapter, organized a concert in honor of the late Adewunmi on Thursday 10th February.
The late actor’s body was laid to rest in his hometown of Ede, Osun, on Friday, February 11.
roman amuta
Veteran actor Romanus Amuta, popularly known as ‘Natty’ in soap opera ‘New Masquerade’, died on February 9, 2022 at the age of 79 after long illness.
The New Masquerade was one of the most popular soap operas of the 1980s.
He left behind his wife, Cordelia, and six children.
Yinka Ogundaisi
The late veteran actor, Yinka Ogundaisi, died on Wednesday June 15 at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos.
The Village Headmaster actor was buried on the evening of the same day in Ibadan.
He had been bedridden for years before his death.