The death of Amaechi Mounagor came as a huge shock to millions of people world over, especially at a time the industry and fans of Nollywood were still mourning the death of another big name in the industry, in the person of John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu.
It was like the roof of the mansion occupied by Nollywood was blown off by thunderstorm in the middle of the night. But in life, it is not your wealth that speaks for you after you must have bade goodbye to mother earth, it is your impacts and legacies that will automatically assume the position of your chief spokesperson in your eternal absence.
It is in this regard that we have decided to take a look at five of the iconic Nollywood movies that actually cemented his name as a force to reckon with in the industry.
1) Igodo: One of the most successful and iconic movies out of the Nigerian movie industry till date. The late actor played the role of a the traditional ruler of his community, which was besieged by strange deaths during his reign.
Amaechi Mounagor literally saw hell as the Igwe of his police, as people were dying in their numbers, home and abroad, yet all efforts to salvage the situation proved abortive. Meanwhile it was karma that visited the land after many years of its last visit.
Amaechi Mounagor starred along others like Chief Pete Edochie, Nobert Young (Igodo), Chidi Mokeme, Sam Dede, Charles Okafor, Gentle Jack, Chiege Alisigwe, Rita Edochie, and several others.
2) Ukwa: Yet another Nollywood classic and evergreen blockbuster movie were Amaechi Mounagor (Aguiyi in the movie) gave a very good account of himself and his acting talent.
Married to Patience Ozokwor, he was an acultic man, successful businessman. But his younger brother, Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) whom he brought out from the village to the city made life unbearable for himself and his entire family in the city.
He later died untimely, that was upon the death of their prophet, Cornelius Agbogidi, who is their spiritual leader. Upon the death of the prophet, things started falling apart for his members, and eventually Aguiyi was killed by assassins. His death instantly opened up another chapter of war in the family as Osuofia fought tooth and nail to siphon the wealth and properties left behind by the deceased. Well, Susana (Patience Ozokwor) made sure he never had it easy.
3) Aki na Ukwa: One of the most highly successful and popular movies out of Nollywood. The 2002 classic which was directed by Amazo Uzo Philips was forever remain evergreen in the history of Nollywood movies and in the hearts of movies lovers.
The movie was the stepping stone for two actors who would later turn to be among some of the all time Nollywood greatest actors, in the person of Osita Iheme (Paw-Paw) and Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki). Their father, Amaechi Mounagor practically saw hell in the hands of these his two troublesome sons.
The duo of Aki and Paw-Paw ensured there was never a trace of peace wherever they stepped their foot; be it in school, at home, on the road, in the market place, in the bush. In fact, the entire village saw hell in their hands.
4) Last Burial: A movie that literally shock the country and beyond. A movie most kids wouldn’t dare watch at night coz of the horror scenes in the movie.
Once again, Amaechi Mounagor being the traditional ruler of his community, was faced with the most hellish situation he would have ever seen in his entire life and reign as Igwe. This was as a result of the battle that ensued upon the death of one of their wealthy sons, Clems Ohameze, who belonged to a powerful occultic kingdom.
The entire community was thrown into chaos as a result, even the Igwe, being Amaechi Mounagor, was left with no solution to the worsening situation. Different groups battled for who to bury the deceased, Clems Ohameze (Ogbuefi Ozo Nnamani). His wife church, the traditionalist, the village, and his occultic group battled fiercely for who to bury the dead.
At a point, he resigned his reign as the traditional ruler of his people.
5) Issakaba: The 2001 movie by Lancelot Odua till date, is one of the most action thriller out of Nollywood. A story of the activities of criminal elements in our society, who were confronted by the highly spiritual vigilante group known as Issakaba.
In one of the communities, Amaechi Mounagor was their traditional ruler, who against all odds and resistance invited the Issakaba boys to his village, due to the worsening situation of evil, atrocities, killings, ritual killings, kidnapping, robbery, etc, mostly sponsored by the wealthy and powerful members of their community. Who fought tooth and nail to ensure the vigilante boys never stepped their foot into their land, as they will spoil business for them and equally expose them.
The traditional ruler, being Amaechi Mounagor stood his grand that the Issakaba boys will come and cleanse their community. It wasn’t really an easy battle for him. Unfortunately, his only son was among the first culprits caught by the Issakaba boys, and he insisted that he won’t use his position and influence to free his son. He gave the vigilante group order, to treat his only son same way other criminals were treated.
His wife, Susan Obi, fought so hard to convince her husband, to intervene, so as to save their son, but he stood his ground.
On the other hand, the late actor has featured in dozens of Nollywood blockbuster movies during his time in the industry, but these are some of the ones we felt played vital roles in shaping his acting career in Nollywood.
(Photo credit: Google Photos)