Tinubu, Nollywood mourn veteran actor, Francis Duru

President Bola Tinubu, as well as the Nollywood industry, the Actors Guild of Nigeria, and fans, mourned the passing of veteran actor and filmmaker Francis Duru. The 57-year-old actor passed away following a brief illness, as announced by his family through a statement on his Instagram account.

Tributes have since flooded in from colleagues, industry leaders, and organizations, praising Duru's contributions to Nollywood and the broader African film industry. President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, extending condolences to Duru's family, colleagues, fans, and the Nigerian film community.

Kaduna International Film Festival director Israel Audu described Duru's death as a personal heartbreak and a devastating blow to African cinema. He lauded Duru's friendship with the festival, noting that the actor would always find a way to make the journey to Kaduna to mentor emerging talent, regardless of the circumstances.

Actress Kanayo Kanayo called Duru one of Nigeria's most versatile and prolific performers, adding that his loss is deeply felt. Actress Kate Henshaw described the actor as a flame extinguished, marking the end of a life. Other notable tributes came from actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie, who expressed her grief, and actor Desmond Elliot, who described the actor's death as tragic and heartbreaking.

The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, also paid tribute to Duru, saying, "Another great thespian gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru!"

Duru's career spanned several decades, during which he became a recognizable face in Nollywood. He is best remembered for his role as Ahanna in the 1995 film Rattlesnake. Duru's contributions extended beyond acting, as he was also a mentor to younger practitioners and actively involved in initiatives aimed at supporting emerging talent.