Nollywood actresses Ruth Kadiri and Nkechi Blessing, alongside other colleagues, have mourned actor Chijioke Temidayo Nwokafor, popularly known as Cjay, following his death on Wednesday.
Kadiri paid tribute to the late actor by sharing his photograph on social media.
“If anyone had told me my day would end at the hospital I wouldn’t have believed…. 💔💔💔 Farewell CJ,” she wrote.
Blessing also announced Cjay’s death after visiting a hospital in Badore, Lagos, where the actor was pronounced dead. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Following the news, Blessing cancelled the scheduled 5 p.m. release of her movie, Egusi Ogbono, in which Cjay featured.
The actress said she spoke with Cjay around 8 a.m. on the day he died, only to receive news of his passing a few hours later.
In an emotional tribute, she wrote, “Cjay Nwoke Oma, so this is really the end? Omo we had plans. I spoke to you at 8 a.m. today and a few hours later you are no more with us.
“Omo please return if possible because I refuse to type otherwise and this is too much for me to handle.”
Another actor, Charles Born, expressed shock over the news, saying he had planned to visit Cjay at the hospital.
“Wait what? I was supposed to go see him at the clinic. Is this a joke?” he wrote.
Emeka Nwagbaraocha also expressed disbelief over the actor’s death in a post on X.
“Can’t believe CJ is dead mehn. We just texted a few days back! WTF is going on.
“CJ is such a sweet soul, talking about him in past sense is just,” he wrote.
Cjay’s acting career
Cjay, who hailed from Awka, Anambra State, and was based in Lagos, began his professional acting career in 2021.
He appeared in several movies, including Larry Cold, Mum Overnight, A Day To My Wedding, The Lies She Tell and What Time Left.
His other acting credits include Sent from Heaven, Insecure, Godly Escort and My House Keeper.
Film credits identify him as Chijioke Nwokafor, while he used Cjay Nwoks as his screen name.
In a September 21 interview with Trybe TV, Cjay recalled his early experience on a film set with filmmaker Ruth Kadiri and explained how the experience influenced his decision to pursue acting professionally.
As of Thursday, his family and colleagues had not announced further details about the circumstances surrounding his death or funeral arrangements.
