Veteran Nollywood actor, Diewait Ikpechukwu, has died at the age of 71, following a prolonged illness.

Ikpechukwu, who was also a former footballer, reportedly died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, according to a family source.

His death was announced on Friday by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, who paid tribute to the late actor in an Instagram post.

“Another Legend bows out!! RIP Diewit Ikpechukwu,” Yakubu wrote.

Although details surrounding his death remain sketchy, his passing has thrown the Nigerian film industry into mourning, marking another loss to a generation of actors who contributed to the growth of Nollywood.

From Football to Nollywood

Born on August 23, 1955, Ikpechukwu had an interesting career journey that took him through football, broadcasting, telecommunications and eventually the Nigerian film industry.

Before becoming an actor, he was a talented footballer who played as a right winger during the 1970s. His footballing abilities reportedly earned him an invitation to the Green Eagles camp, Nigeria’s former senior national football team.

He played for football clubs including Blue Diamonds of Nsukka and Kaduna Rocks. He also captained the Kaduna Polytechnic football team.

However, he reportedly declined the opportunity to pursue a career with the national team following his father’s insistence that he prioritise his education.

Educational Background and Career

Ikpechukwu attended Comprehensive High School in Awo-Omamma, Imo State, before proceeding to Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Marketing.

He subsequently completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

While studying in Kaduna, he developed an interest in broadcasting and reportedly worked with radio stations as a football commentator.

Before venturing fully into entertainment, he worked with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), where he served as a business office manager.

His journey into acting gained momentum through television productions at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Enugu.

Acting Career and Movies

Ikpechukwu made his feature film debut in 1998 in Evil Men, where he portrayed a traditional ruler alongside established Nollywood actors, including Pete Edochie, Alex Usifo and Liz Benson.

He subsequently built a career spanning more than 25 years, becoming particularly recognised for portraying kings, traditional rulers, elderly statesmen and other influential characters in Nigerian films.

Some of the productions he featured in include Royal Palace (2005), The Guilty (2006), Across the River (2006), Python King (2007), Omera (2019), A Dance to Forget (2020), Emecheta (2021), Nwando (2021) and Ìjé Love (2022).

His commanding screen presence and ability to interpret traditional roles made him a familiar face to Nollywood audiences.

Contribution to the Actors Guild of Nigeria

Beyond his acting career, Ikpechukwu was actively involved in the Actors Guild of Nigeria and served as the pioneer chairman of the guild’s Enugu State chapter.

He was also passionate about mentoring upcoming actors and encouraging young people seeking careers in the entertainment industry.

He reportedly advised aspiring actors against desperation in their pursuit of fame, urging them to take their craft seriously, dedicate themselves to every role and avoid exploitation.

Outside acting, he was also reported to have owned a communications company.

Family

The late actor was married to Gloria Ikpechukwu and was blessed with children and grandchildren.

His death marks the end of a remarkable journey that cut across sports, broadcasting and entertainment.

As tributes continue to emerge, colleagues and admirers will remember him for his contributions to Nollywood and his efforts towards nurturing emerging talents.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be officially announced by the family.

…Says Development Centres key to taking government policies, projects to communities

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has inaugurated the newly appointed 68 Development Centre Administrators and members across the state, charging them to prioritise grassroots governance and ensure effective communication of government policies and projects across the state.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Thursday, Mbah reminded the appointees that the oath of office constituted a social contract and a commitment to serve with integrity.

He said the Development Centres remained a critical component of his administration’s governance model because they represented the closest tier of government engagement with the people.

“Government is about the people, and we do not have an arm of government that is closer to the people than the Development Centres,” he said.

Mbah explained that the appointees were expected to take government policies, programmes and projects closer to communities, particularly women, families and other grassroots populations, while complementing rather than replacing the statutory responsibilities of local governments.

He urged them to work closely with their respective local government chairmen to ensure that government interventions and development initiatives reached their intended beneficiaries.

The governor further tasked the 68
Administrators with understanding government policies at both state and local government levels and effectively communicating their benefits to residents, especially those in rural communities.

Using the administration’s investments in Smart Green Schools and Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres as examples, Mbah said the appointees should go beyond merely announcing government projects to explaining their practical benefits to the people.

He charged them to educate communities on how the modern healthcare facilities would reduce maternal and child mortality, ensure timely childhood immunisation and improve access to essential healthcare services.

He also urged them to sensitise residents on government interventions in water supply, sanitation and the campaign to make Enugu an open-defecation-free state.

“I want you to carry the energy and zest I see in you to our communities. Carry the energy to your various homes and communities,” he charged them.

On the political front, Mbah urged the appointees to communicate the administration’s achievements and policies to the electorate, challenging opposition politicians to present their programmes and records in governance.

He also disclosed that the administration would take its campaign and performance assessment engagements to the various Development Centres to showcase projects and achievements across communities and wards.

“Our campaign is going to be at the different Development Centres. We are going to go to all our Development Centres to point out to Ndi Enugu what we have done, not just at the Development Centre level, but even at the wards and our communities,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to its 10,000-kilometre road development target, adding that significant progress had also been recorded in tourism, transportation and other sectors.

He expressed satisfaction with his administration’s payment of gratuities to retired workers, noting that the intervention was being implemented at both state and local government levels.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Frank Anioma, described the inauguration as another demonstration of Mbah’s commitment to effective grassroots administration and development.

He charged the appointees to mobilise grassroot support for the governor’s re-election bid in their respective.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, an Administrator from Enugu North, Kenechukwu Ikenegbu, expressed appreciation to the governor for the appointments and pledged their commitment to advancing the administration’s development agenda at the grassroots.

He said the appointees would serve as the governor’s representatives in their respective communities, taking the administration’s achievements to residents through sustained engagement and door-to-door mobilisation.

Ikenegbu also pledged their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the forthcoming elections, assuring that they would intensify grassroots mobilisation across the state.

Speaking to newsmen, the Administrator, Nkanu East South Development Centre, Hon. Emmanuel Edeh, enthused that with over 10,000 verifiable milestones, Mbah had given the appointees so much to campaign on.

The swearing-in conducted by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze, was witnessed by party leaders, members, and other stakeholders, including: the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology Dr Kingsley Udeh, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, the State Chairman of APC, Dr. Martin Chukwunwike, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, local government chairmen and members of the state executive council.

By Tony Edike

Several retired civil servants in Enugu State have expressed profound gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah following the payment of their long-awaited retirement gratuities, which had remained unpaid for years under previous administrations.

The retirees, some of whom had waited for more than two decades after leaving service, described the ongoing payment exercise as a dream come true, saying they had almost lost hope of receiving their entitlements while still alive.

They spoke during the ongoing disbursement of gratuity arrears by the Mbah administration, which inherited a huge backlog of unpaid retirement benefits from previous governments.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Luke Obi Ezea, who retired in 2014 after 35 years in service, said he had resigned himself to fate after waiting for years without receiving his gratuity.

Ezea said he had continued praying to God to keep him alive long enough to receive his retirement benefits, expressing joy that his prayers had finally been answered under the Mbah administration.

“I had lost hope of receiving my gratuity, hence I left everything to God. But I kept praying that I would be alive to receive it. God has answered my prayers as Governor Mbah has come to our rescue,” he said.

Describing the payment as a dream come true, Ezea praised the governor for fulfilling his promise to retirees, describing him as a man of his word and an action-oriented leader.

Another beneficiary, Sunday Nwadi from Uzo-Uwani local government area, who also expressed appreciation to the state government, said the prolonged delay in receiving his gratuity had subjected retirees to terrible experiences and financial difficulties.

He, however, noted that the situation had changed since Mbah assumed office, particularly commending the governor for ensuring that monthly pension payments were up to date.

According to him, previous administrations often owed pensioners several months of their monthly entitlements, leaving many struggling to meet their basic needs.

“Today, I thank God that we have an amiable governor, a listening governor. Today, I am rejoicing because I have received my gratuity. Governor Mbah is also not owing monthly pension. He is up to date,” he said.

He added that the governor’s intervention had restored hope and brought smiles to retired civil servants and their families, praying for God’s protection and continued blessings upon him.

Also, Mrs. Sussana Emehelu narrated the emotional experience of her family, saying her husband, who retired in 2013, had yet to receive his gratuity and was currently in poor health.

She explained that when the family heard that the state government had commenced payment of outstanding retirement benefits, her husband immediately asked her to visit the relevant government office to confirm whether his gratuity was ready.

Mrs Emehelu

According to her, her husband had previously feared that he might not live long enough to enjoy the benefits of his years of service.

“When we heard the news that pension is being paid, he asked me to hastily go to the office to collect his pension. He said his expectation to collect his gratuity while alive had become a reality,” she said.

Emehelu said she was overwhelmed with joy when she arrived at the office and discovered that her husband’s name was among the beneficiaries.

She expressed appreciation to God and Governor Mbah for remembering her family after years of waiting, adding that only God could adequately reward the governor for the gesture.

The reactions underscore the emotional and financial implications of the prolonged non-payment of gratuities on retired civil servants, many of whom spent decades in public service but were unable to access their retirement entitlements for years after leaving office.

The Mbah administration has commenced the clearance of the inherited gratuity backlog as part of efforts to fulfil its commitment to retirees and restore confidence in the state’s pension administration.

The ongoing exercise has brought relief to beneficiaries and their families, some of whom had waited for more than 20 years for payments that represent their legitimate entitlements after years of service to Enugu State.