Saint Obi, whose real name is Obinna Nwafor, is a Nigerian actor and film producer. He gained fame in the Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood, during the 1990s. Saint Obi was born on November 16, 1965, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He attended the University of Jos, where he studied Theatre Arts.
He rose to prominence with his role in the movie “Goodbye Tomorrow” (1996), which was a commercial success and established him as one of the leading actors in Nollywood. He became known for his charming looks, talent, and versatility in playing various roles. Some of his notable movies include “Sakobi: The Snake Girl” (1998), “State of Emergency” (1994), “Take Me to Maama” (1996), and “Heart of Gold” (2003).
Apart from acting, Saint Obi ventured into music and released a few singles. He also worked as a film producer, and his production company, St. Obi Production, produced several movies.
While Saint Obi’s popularity declined in the early 2000s, he remains a respected figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry.He was a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and served as the chairman of the AGN Lagos chapter from 2004 to 2006. He was also a member of the board of trustees of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC). He made a comeback to acting in recent years, appearing in movies and TV series. His contribution to Nollywood’s growth during its formative years has earned him a place in the history of Nigerian cinema.
Saint Obi died on May 7, 2023, at the age of 57. His death was a shock to the Nollywood community, and he was mourned by fans and colleagues alike. Obi’s legacy will live on through his films, which continue to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Here are some of Obi’s most notable films:
- Candle Light (1997)
- State of Emergency (1999)
- Sakobi (2000)
- Goodbye Tomorrow (2001)
- Heart of Gold (2002)
- Festival of Fire (2003)
- Executive Crime (2004)
- Last Party (2005)
Obi’s death is a great loss to the Nollywood community. He was a talented actor who will be remembered for his many memorable roles. His legacy will live on through his films, which continue to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.