Pete Edochie, the well-known Nollywood actor, has denied rumours of his death, revealing that he has been rumored to be dead over seven times.
The veteran actor, also known as Ebubedike, while reacting to the recent report of his death, described it as baseless and mischievous.
Speaking with Vanguard by phone on Tuesday, the 78-year-old made it clear that he is alive and well.
“I’m alive and will die when my maker calls me home,” he said.
He also remembered several times when false stories about his death spread, such as claims that he died abroad or in a plane crash.
“I have been killed about seven times. There was a time they said I travelled abroad and died there. At other times, they said that the plane I boarded from Enugu to Ethiopia suddenly crashed and I didn’t survive,” he said.
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He also shared a troubling experience that involved his wife.
“There was also a day my wife woke up to prepare for church service, when her telephone rang and the caller said he heard that I passed away that morning. Last year, somebody from Ghana alleged that Pete Edochie was already in the grave,” he added.
Edochie said he found inspiration in a lesson from the late nationalist Nnamdi Azikiwe, whom he once interviewed.
“However, there was something late Nnamdi Azikwe taught me when I interviewed him. He said that anybody who’s wishing you death will die before you.
“All those people that wished Zik death died before him. That was what I learnt from Zik,” he said.
The actor, who will turn 79 on March 7, said he is grateful for his good health and credits his vitality to his family’s longevity.
“On March 7, I will be 79. My father died at 96, so we have longevity in my family,” he noted.