Church gives ailing Nollywood actors N3.5m

Lagos-based Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministry yesterday donated N3.5m for the treatment of 23 ailing Nigerian artistes.

The Ministry’s Senior Pastor Chris Okafor announced the donation during a Thanksgiving Service held at the behest of the Save Nollywood Actors Foundation being organised by Rita Edochie, Ejiro Okurame, Chioma Okoye and Emeka Torino.

The benefiting artistes are suffering from kidney and mental problems, diabetes, stroke, hole in the heart, leukaemia and prostate cancer, among other ailments.

“We pray for the entertainment industry that the presence of Jehovah takes control,” Okafor said.

Some of the entertainers walked up to the altar for prayers.

Torino said the gesture was part of ways to help the affected artistes, adding: “We can create a forum where actors, actresses, producers, marketers would be checked monthly because if you don’t check your health regularly, by the time you are aware, it would be too late. We want to make this foundation a place whereby any Nigerian actor that is sick will access fund through this foundation.”

Some of the beneficiaries are Prince James Uche, Obi Madubogwu, Romeo Casual, Romanus Amuta (Natty), Fregene Nicholas, Tunde Alabi, Emma Ugolee, Victor Olaitan, Jude Oteka, Harry B, Amaechi Monagor,  Patience Oseni, Theodore Anyanji, Tony Akposheri, Ernest Azuzu, Victor Eze, Adedayo Liadi, Victoria Ndubuaku, Frank Asiyai, Tommy Oyewole, Promise Nnaji, Sadiq Daba and Gbenga Peters.

Actor Joseph Okechukwu, who is a member of the donor-church, said the donation is from the Chris Okafor Humanitarian Foundation, adding: “What we’re tapping into now was the financial power of the church because we know that the church has money.”

“This is a small church, giving N3.5m cash. Everybody saw the money. That’s why my colleagues were crying because all the places they’ve been going to; it’s been promises, promises. So, imagine if other churches come together and do something like this,” Okechukwu added.

The foundation is responsible for the treatment of Leo Mezie, Madubogwu and Uche.