Mr Elekwachi Ukonu, former General Manager, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Channel 6, Aba, Abia, has called for the immortalisation of the late Chief James Iroha (Giringory).
Iroha, popularly known as “Giringory”, was creator and one of the casts of the New Masquerade fame.
Ukonu, who made the call on Thursday in Aba, said that the death of Iroha was a great loss to the entertainment industry.
He recalled that Iroha, who died on Feb. 28, at the age of 70, worked with him at Enugu in the 60s before the Nigerian civil war (1966-70) adding that they later worked together at NTA Aba in the 70s.
“We are together at the Eastern Nigerian Broadcasting Service Enugu, and in the 70s he started the Masquerade as a radio programme and in the 80s as a drama on NTA, Network.
“I want NTA to create something in the name of “Giringory” to immortalise this famous actor, who made the station behold for the people to watch the drama while it lasted,” he said.
Ukonu said that Iroha was the originator, writer and producer before the likes of Chief Chika Okpala “Zebrdaya Okorigwe Nwogbo alias 4.30 joined.
Ukonu, who will turn 82 years on March 5, said that the best honour to be bestowed on the deceased was to immortalise him in the entertainment industry in the country.
The former General Manager regretted that Iroha, a famous actor and one of the pillars of the Nollywood industry, had to die a poor man.
He urged Abia Government and NTA “to do something to keep alive the children and family left behind by James and his late wife”.
Ukonu, the famous Ukonu’s Club presenter on NTA in the 70s also described the late actor as the best comedian ever produced in Nigeria and a genius in the entertainment world.
He said the deceased would be remembered by his admirers for long time.
“He can crack all kinds of jokes anytime and anywhere in many Nigerian languages. It is most unfortunate when I heard that he had finally died, it is a shocker to me that all our entertainers are dying one after another.
“I pray to God let him rest in perfect peace,” he said.
Iroha, a retired Director of Programme at the Abia Broadcasting Service, also retired from active public life at an elaborate traditional ceremony known as “Igboto Mma” in his home town Amokwe Item,? Abia recently.
“Giringory”, who spent 40 years of his life acting, died at 70.?