Veteran Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko, on Tuesday mourned Elizabeth Evoeme, popularly known as Ovularia in the 1980s TV sitcom, ‘The New Masquerade.’ She was aged 81.

Mr Kosoko, during an interview in Lagos, described the late actress as a disciplined woman who contributed immensely to the growth of the entertainment industry.

He said, “We lost another gem though at a ripe age. I pray the almighty God grants her soul a peaceful rest. We worked together on ‘The New Masquerade.’ I was a guest artiste at the time. She was just fantastic. May her soul rest in peace and may God continue to keep us that are still alive. Her virtue of discipline that has to do with keeping to call time, submitting to the directors’ wish at all time and other professional ethics she stood for, should be emulated by all other actors.’’

Also, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as “Oga Bello,” described the death of the actress as shocking.

He said, “We are all getting older but no one wants to die. We are going to miss her but her legacies still remain with us. We love her but God loves her most.”

Another actor, Fred Amata, also expressed shock over the death of the actress.

Evoeme’s death was announced by her family on Tuesday.

A statement by the family read,: “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in”The new Masquerade,” of her passing. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans. We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.”

(NAN)