“I believe my father would not want Nigerians to be downcast. People should celebrate because when he was here, he always said he did his work well. Whenever he looked at the movie industry he was happy about the growth and felt proud because he had an influence in its development”.

Those were the words from Uche the second son of James Iroha, one of Nigeria's veteran comedic actors and creator of the hugely popular satirical comic series, Masquerade. Iroha, popularly called 'Gringory', after his popular character in the rested soap, died at Umuahia (Abia State) hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, February 28, 2012 after a brief illness.

As reactions continued trailing, Chika Okpala, who starred alongside the late Iroha, playing the charismatic character of Zebrudaya in the soap, expressed sadness at the development. “I'm shocked. My last encounter with him about three weeks ago was lively… we worked very well together. He was quite good to me, advised me and we talked from time to time,” he regretted.

Also condoling with the family of the actor and Nigerians on the sad loss through a text message to Fun-Code is the Nigerian ace comedian, Tony Greg Ukaegbu globally known as Prof. Banana Mouth said, “recently, I informed Dede 1 Day of him going blind on our way coming back from a traditional wedding. Now the story came of his death, may his soul rest in peace.”

Praying for his repose, Andy Ike a Nollywood actress added, “He came, he saw, he acted and he took a bow. He will greatly be missed by all lovers of art. May God grant the family the fortitude to bear the great loss,” she prayed.