Entertainment
THE STORY OF A LEGEND Sam Loco Efe was born in Enugu on 25th December 1945
His father was a warder, by name— Arase Efeimwonkiyeke. He was a Benin man who worked in Eastern Nigeria and his mother was a petty trader who sold akara.
He spent his childhood in the town of Abakaliki in present-day Ebonyi State. In fact, he spent much of his years in Abakaliki.
When he was in primary school, he lost his father. He had to support his mother in her business which made him spend longer than usual years before graduating from primary school.
He started acting while still in school when a theatre group came to stage a play called “The Doctor In Spite of Himself”, afterwards he discussed with members of the group about the theatre and performance arts.
In elementary school, he was a member of various groups including a drama society that performed a rendition of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at an Eastern regional arts festival in Abakaliki, the play came last in the drama competition but Efe was noted as the best actor which earned him a scholarship to complete elementary school.
After finishing elementary school, he attended various secondary schools and was active in the drama society, organizing a performance of The Doctor in Spite of Himself and a play called Vendetta.
After secondary school, he was a member of a traveling theatre group and played soccer earning the moniker locomotive later shortened as loco. That was how his name Loco came to being.
During the Biafran genocidal War, Efe fought on the Biafra side until he returned to Benin in 1968. He saw himself as an Igbo man and a Biafran before anything.
While in Benin in the 60s, he started the Ovonranwen Theatre Group with their debut production being Ogierhiakhi’s Obaiwape.
However, his earnings from acting was meagre and thereafter, he traveled to Lagos to seek better career opportunities and to explore a career in football.
He got his first job in 1972 working for Michelin Tyres. He applied for the position without knowing how to drive which was a requirement for the job.
He learned how to drive a day before the interview. During the interview, he passed the oral interview and failed the driving test but honesty about his error in judgement won over the interviewer.
He worked for Michelin selling tyres in Lagos, Ijebu Ode and Abeokuta. He soon left Michelin to work for Dunlop Tyres as a Senior Sales Representative in the Tyres and Allied products division.
While working for Dunlop in Benin, he was a cast member of NTA Benin’s television series, Hotel de Jordan and also performed in a rendition of Ola Rotimi’s The Gods are Not to Blame.
In 1977, he left sales for a career in theatre. He auditioned and got the lead part of Langbodo, a play by Dapo Adelugba presented during FESTAC.
After the end of Festac, Adelugba introduced him to a friend of his at University of Ibadan about opportunities in theatre. Adelugba’s friend was able to get Efe a position as a senior artiste in the institution.
Sam Loco would later become a household name and one of the early pioneers of Nollywood.
He was such a funny actor.
He featured in movies like :
1. Tom and Jerry
2. Final World Cup
3. Long John
4. Ukwa
5. Akịdị
6. My Love
7. IJELE the son of Masquerade
8. Anunuebe and a lot unmentioned.
Sam Loco Efe died in his hotel room at Amakọhịa, Owerri, Imo State on 7th August 2011. Till date, nobody knows the cause of his death. Ventolin inhaler was found with him when the room was broken. Report has it that Sam Loco was an asthmatic patient.
A legend never dies
Kanayo O. Kanayo recently expressed his frustration regarding Angel Unigwe and her mother. In a video he posted online, the veteran actor alleged that Angel, with her mother’s support, breached their contract by prematurely leaving his set.
Responding to these allegations, Angel Unigwe’s mother strongly denied the accusations and defamatory statements made by Mr. Kanayo in his video. She stressed their firm adherence to contractual terms and their dedication to honoring all legal commitments.
Angel Unigwe’s mother provided a detailed account of events from June 17th to June 19th, 2024, during which Angel was engaged in Kanayo’s film project with clear agreements, specifically finishing filming by 9 pm each day. Despite their initial concerns about filming fifty-seven scenes in three days, they agreed to proceed based on assurances from Mr. Kanayo O. Kanayo and his director.
On the final day, filming extended beyond 9 pm by an additional 45-50 minutes, which they accommodated as a gesture of goodwill. She emphasized that they left the location after fulfilling their obligations, without any objections from the director or production manager.
Her statement:
“As a background to the events that led to this, between the 17th of June 2024 and the 19th of June 2024, Miss Unigwe participated in a film project under clear and agreed terms, most important of all being a daily wrap time of 9 pm. Despite our concerns about the feasibility of filming fifty-seven (57) scenes in three (3) days, we proceeded based on the assurances we received from Mr. Kanayo O. Kanayo and his director, in person of Ndifreke Matthew, that the three days period will be sufficient for shooting and that the talent’s shooting time of 12 hours starting from 9 am to 9 pm is acceptable to them, moreso there will be no extension considering her prior engagement. On the final day, despite the agreed terms regarding wrap up time of 9 pm, we accommodated an additional 45-50 minutes of filming beyond the agreed time, which was done out of the spirit of goodwill and understanding that had existed between us, Mr. Kanayo and the film Director. Upon completion of the shoot, we left the location without protest from the director or the production Manager Mr. Cosmos Nwaihe, having performed our obligations.”
Mrs. Unigwe was deeply shocked upon learning of the accusations made by Mr. Kanayo in his video. She shared the emotional distress caused by what she perceived as threats against her daughter, Angel Unigwe. She condemned these actions as cyberbullying and gender-based harassment, particularly hurtful given her long-standing respect for Kanayo.
Juliet Unigwe concluded her heartfelt statement by announcing their intention to seek legal action to ensure accountability and justice in this matter, asserting their refusal to be intimidated. She called on relevant security agencies and organizations to protect Miss Unigwe and herself from any potential hostility from Kanayo.
Nigerian musician, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, and his newly wedded wife, Chioma, commenced their honeymoon in a grand style.
We reports that Davido married to his long-time lover, Chioma, in a lavish event attended by the bigwigs in the entertainment industry and top politicians and businessmen in Lagos on Wednesday.
Shortly after the event, Davido took to his X account with images of a private jet with the caption, “Let’s first launch this one.”
It could not be immediately confirmed, however, where the couples would enjoy their honeymoon.
A viral video clip on social media also captured the couple boarding the private jet in Lagos, accompanied by Davido’s team members, including Asa Asika, Lati, and Chioma’s manager, Ubi Franklin.
On June 25, 2024, the world witnessed the union of one of Africa’s most beloved couples: Davido and Chioma. Their love story has been a topic of much speculation and fascination. As fans and followers celebrated their wedding, many wondered about the secrets that made their relationship so strong and enduring. Here, we uncover some of the key elements that have contributed to their journey together.
Davido and Chioma’s relationship began as a deep friendship. This foundation of trust and mutual respect has been a cornerstone of their bond. Friends before lovers, they have always valued open communication and support, which has helped them navigate the ups and downs of their relationship.
Both Davido and Chioma share a commitment to family and community. Their shared values have brought them closer, allowing them to work towards common goals. Whether it’s supporting each other’s careers or engaging in charitable activities, their unity in purpose has been evident.
As celebrities, Davido and Chioma have lived much of their relationship in the public eye. They have faced rumors, criticisms, and intense media scrutiny. However, they have consistently shown resilience and have maintained their privacy where it matters most. Their ability to focus on their relationship and block out external noise has been crucial to their success.
Davido’s support for Chioma has been unwavering, as has Chioma’s support for Davido. This mutual encouragement has helped them grow individually and as a couple. Davido has often expressed his admiration for Chioma’s strength and grace, while Chioma has praised Davido’s dedication and passion.
Like any couple, Davido and Chioma have had their share of disagreements and challenges. However, their willingness to forgive and move forward has been a defining feature of their relationship. They understand that no relationship is perfect and have shown a remarkable ability to learn from their experiences.
Both Davido and Chioma have achieved significant milestones in their careers. Davido, an international music sensation, and Chioma, a successful chef and entrepreneur, have always celebrated each other’s achievements. Their mutual respect for each other’s ambitions has strengthened their bond.
Family plays a crucial role in Davido and Chioma’s lives. Their families have been supportive of their relationship, providing a strong network of love and encouragement. Additionally, their shared cultural heritage has enriched their connection, giving them a deeper understanding of each other’s backgrounds and traditions.
Davido and Chioma’s marriage on June 25, 2024, is more than just a union of two individuals; it is a testament to love, resilience, and mutual respect. Their journey together has been filled with challenges and triumphs, but their commitment to each other has never wavered. As they embark on this new chapter, they continue to inspire countless fans with their love story.
What aspect of Davido and Chioma’s relationship do you find most inspiring? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
