Many years after it was rested, the 1980s Village Headmaster remained evergreen, its memory so compelling as to induce a move to reprise the drama series in 2013.
Although the original cast has been decimated by MERCY JOH a cycle of death, the man who played the eponymous role was alive to receive the news about the second coming of this drama under the new name of The New Village Headmaster. Sadly, however, Justus Esiri never lived to see it happened.
On February 19, 2013, the “Original Headmaster” bowed out of the stage of life. His demise attributed to diabetes, coming barely one week after the shocking death of Nigeria’s pop singer Goldie, was a rude shock to Nigerian movie lovers who had followed his career from the stage to the screen. His death is the latest of the grim reaper’s continuing ravages in the Nigerian entertainment circuit.
Justus Esiri was not just another actor. He was rightly declared as “one of the strong men of the African film industry.” Of his choice of career as an actor, he said: “My getting into this profession was because someone made me realize the wonderful talent I’ve got. He also recommended that I go to a school of performing arts to study theatre.” Famous for his iconic role in the Village Headmaster, where he played the Headmaster, he was reputed to have performed on more TV network drama programmes than any Nigerian actor.
He was also star of many acclaimed productions. His filmography include: Wasted Years, Forever, The Prize, Six Demons, Corridors of Power, Last Knight, The Tyrant, The Investigation and many more. One of his most recent movies, Assassin’s Practice, was produced last year.
Born in November 1942 in Delta State, Justus Esiri finished from Urhobo College, Efurum, Warri, in the then Bendel State, and then went to Germany for further studies. He attended the Maximillan University, Munich, Germany where he graduated in 1964. In 1967, he graduated from Prof. Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin. One year later in 1968, he concluded his studies at Ahrens School of Performing Arts. “I hadn’t even concluded my course there before I started receiving invitations to come perform in theatre in Germany, Austria, Holland and so many places,” he once recalled.
His acting career kicked-off on stage in Germany where he was the only Nigerian male performing on stage in the year 1968. He also worked for Voice of Nigeria (VON) German Service as a translator. It was while he was performing on stage in Germany that a delegation from Nigeria spotted him and invited him to come and perform in Nigeria in a government-sponsored programme.
Coming back to Nigeria, he never went back to Europe. Back at home, Esiri joined a theatre group and was actively mobilizing young people from Lagos to Benin by road. He was the fifth person auditioned for a headmaster role in what was later to become one of the best TV drama series in the country. His performance was so extraordinary the other major actors gave him a standing ovation. His eponymous role was one of the factors Village Headmaster remains memorable.
Esiri was a force to reckon with when the Nigerian movie sector known as Nollywood was born. The German-trained entertainer and former president of the Conference of Motion Picture was one of the pioneers who helped lay the foundation for the Nollywood of today. As a testament to his superlative talent the veteran actor in his lifetime won several awards for his acting exploits including THEMA Awards, NTA Honours Awards and AMAA Awards. In 2007, he was conferred with the national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Survived by his wife and children including Nigerian music star, Dr. Sid Sidney, the 70-year-old actor did not go to his grave discontented: “One thing I am happy with is that people appreciate what I have done,” he once reflected.
As Nollywood continues its marathon mourning, the grim implication of his death is not lost on all discerning Nollywood stakeholders – first Sam Loco, then Enebeli Elebuwa, now Justus Esiri - the pool of Nollywood veterans continues to shrink. Adieu the authentic Village Headmaster. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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