BY SUNNY A. DAVID
Chief Chika Okpala, the lead actor and later producer of the popular 80s Nigerian sitcom ‘The New Masquerade,’ better known as Zebrudaya Okorigwe Nwogbo (alias 4:30), has expressed deep shock and sadness upon learning of the passing of his on-screen wife, Mrs. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme.
The passing of the likeable actress at 81 on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
Her death was confirmed by the family in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement read: “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in ‘The New Masquerade,’ of her passing. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans.
“We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.”
The late actress with her on-screen husband, Chief Chika Okpala a.k.a Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwaogbe alias 4.30, were the darling of many TV audience in the 80s.
Meanwhile, when our correspondent reached out on Tuesday on the news of the passing of Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, a distraught actor/producer of the New Masquerade, Chief Chika ‘Zebrudaya’ Okpala was in shock and could not come to terms with the news of the sad passing of his on-screen wife in the iconic TV programme.
“Good evening… If the news of Ovularia’s passing is true, pls allow me to recover from the shock before giving a paragraph or two. Good night sir. ZB 4.30,” was all Zebrudaya could say in a text message.
