Legendary Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has once again dismissed rumours of his death, expressing frustration over what he described as a recurring hoax that has trailed him for years.
The veteran actor, popularly known as Ebubedike, said he has been falsely declared dead about seven times, describing the repeated reports as baseless and mischievous.
Debunking the latest rumours in a telephone conversation with Vanguard on Tuesday, Edochie stated emphatically that he remains alive and well.
“I’m alive and will die when my maker calls me home,” he said.
The 78-year-old thespian recalled several instances when fake stories about his demise circulated, including claims that he died abroad or in a plane crash.
“I have been killed about seven times. There was a time they said I travelled abroad and died there. At other times, they said that the plane I boarded from Enugu to Ethiopia suddenly crashed and I didn’t survive,” he said.
He also recounted a disturbing incident involving his wife.
“There was also a day my wife woke up to prepare for church service, when her telephone rang and the caller said he heard that I passed away that morning. Last year, somebody from Ghana alleged that Pete Edochie was already in the grave,” he added.
Edochie revealed that he drew inspiration from a lesson shared by the late nationalist, Nnamdi Azikiwe, whom he once interviewed.
“However, there was something late Nnamdi Azikwe taught me when I interviewed him. He said that anybody who’s wishing you death will die before you.
“All those people that wished Zik death died before him. That was what I learnt from Zik,” he said.
The celebrated actor, who will turn 79 on March 7, said he remains grateful for good health, attributing his vitality to family longevity.
“On March 7, I will be 79. My father died at 96, so we have longevity in my family,” he noted.
Edochie, a recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and the AMVCA Industry Merit Award, remains one of Nollywood’s most revered figures.
Despite repeated death hoaxes dating back to 2012, the screen icon continues to enjoy admiration from fans across Nigeria and beyond.