Veteran Nollywood actress, Rita Edochie has recently expressed her deep frustration and anger over the persistent spread of false death rumors concerning her colleague, Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw.
These rumors have been circulating on social media, causing unnecessary distress among fans and netizens. Rita Edochie took to Instagram to vehemently condemn these baseless claims, which have surfaced repeatedly, sparking grief and confusion.
In her post, Rita Edochie highlighted the alarming trend of spreading unverified death rumors about Nigerian celebrities, labeling it as a harmful and attention-seeking tactic employed by some bloggers and content creators.
She lamented, "This is not the first, second, or even third time such false news has been spread about our beloved celebrities. These bloggers and content creators are using untimely death rumors to generate traffic and engagements, but this madness must stop."
The actress shared her shock at how quickly people believed the fake news, with many flooding comment sections with condolence messages. She emphasized the need for society to hold bloggers accountable for their actions, urging a crackdown on those spreading false information.
While acknowledging the benefits of social media in empowering Nigerian youths, she criticized its misuse, stating that it has done "more harm than good" in many cases.
Rita Edochie also recounted her personal experience with similar false reports, recalling instances when photos of her movie scenes were used to fabricate death rumors about her and her husband, legendary actor Pete Edochie. She cited an incident during the production of 'Calabash', where her character’s on-screen death was misconstrued as real.
"My great husband and I have been victims of these heartbreaking rumors. I recall when bloggers claimed my entire family had died in an accident or when they falsely reported Sir Pete’s death during his trip to the U.S. This is pure madness and needs to stop," she stated.
The actress implored content creators to focus on ethical practices rather than sensationalism, questioning, "If we all die today, as celebrities, who will you have left to watch?" She further expressed her concern about the excessive amount of news regarding the deaths of actors, noting that such news was erroneously reported about her as well. A photo of her on a movie set was used to spread the false information, leading to widespread panic and misinformation.
Rita Edochie's outrage is not unfounded, as the spread of false death rumors has become a recurring issue in the entertainment industry. The constant barrage of fake news not only affects the individuals involved but also their families, friends, and fans. It creates an environment of fear and uncertainty, undermining the credibility of genuine news sources.
Osita Iheme, who is widely recognized for his role as Pawpaw in the popular Nigerian film "Aki na Ukwa," has been a victim of these malicious rumors multiple times. Despite the false reports, he continues to thrive in his career and remains a beloved figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry. In 2023, he became the ambassador of TAJBank and has plans to run for political office in the future. He is also the founder of Inspired Movement Africa, an initiative aimed at inspiring and motivating young Nigerians and Africans.
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