By Segun Adebayo
The LTV 8, Ikeja, Lagos, wore a sombre look on Tuesday as colleagues, friends and associates of late actress, Tope Osoba, gathered for a night of tributes in her honour, turning the venue into a place of tears, memories and quiet lamentation.
The mood was heavy as the venue gradually filled with familiar faces from the entertainment industry, many of whom had come not only to mourn the actress but also to celebrate the life she lived and the impact she made on those who crossed her path.
One after another, Per Second News which on ground to cover the proceedings observed how actors and actresses took to the stage to share personal memories of Osoba, recalling her warmth, generosity, resilience and the moments they shared with her while she was alive.
For many, speaking about her proved more difficult than they had anticipated, as memories quickly gave way to tears.
The late actress, who had survived breast cancer before her death, was remembered as a woman who continued to fight through difficult seasons of her life.
Her colleagues spoke of her strength and the battles she faced, while lamenting that she eventually died after reportedly battling depression.
Toyosi Akinsanya, Foluke Daramola, Bimbo Thomas and several other colleagues struggled to hold back tears as they recounted their experiences with Osoba.
While speaking with Per Second News, Foluke Daramola described Osoba as a selfless woman who would put others first before herself.
In an emotion-laden voice, Daramola said she was still struggling to come to terms with Osoba’s death, describing the reality of her passing as almost impossible to accept.
“I am yet to come to terms with the fact that she died because it feels unreal. She was very close to me, and I know how selfless she was. I am fighting back tears. I can’t even explain what is happening. I pray for the family she left behind,” she said.
Toyosi Akinsanya, in her tribute, took a swipe at those who questioned Tope Osoba’s place in the movie industry and argued that she did not belong to any recognised association and, therefore, did not deserve support towards her burial.
She described such reactions as a painful reflection of the lack of empathy and kindness in society, insisting that Osoba’s contribution to the industry should not be measured by her membership of any particular association.
“People just lack empathy and kindness. Tope is dead, but some people in different groups were saying she shouldn’t be supported because she was not a member of their association.
“That is rather sad and unfortunate. We are here today because she is one of us, and we are here to honour her,” she said.
“In one of her voice notes she told me aunty mi, I am happy you now have a child. I want to also have mine in life. I want to get back to work. I don’t want to be pitied. I just want to work.”
Persecondnews reports that their tributes moved between laughter and grief, as some remembered her playful side while others spoke about the difficult moments that shaped her later years.
Beyond her work as an actress, speakers repeatedly described Osoba as selfless and compassionate, recalling how she was always willing to extend a helping hand to colleagues and friends.
For those who knew her closely, her kindness was one of the qualities that made her loss particularly painful.
One of the actresses who belonged to Osoba’s theatre group was overcome with emotion as she wept profusely while speaking about the late actress.
In between tears, she lamented how her death had left members of the group devastated and uncertain about how to move forward without the woman who had become a major part of their lives.
The tributes also became an opportunity for some of Osoba’s colleagues to reflect on the struggles many entertainers face away from the cameras.
They urged people to pay greater attention to the emotional wellbeing of friends and colleagues, stressing that the pain someone carries may not always be visible.
As the evening progressed, the atmosphere at LTV 8 became increasingly emotional.
Some mourners sat quietly, wiping away tears, while others embraced one another as the reality of Osoba’s death appeared to sink in more deeply.
The night of tributes later moved beyond the walls of LTV 8 as colleagues and friends gathered for a candlelight walk in her honour.
Holding candles and walking together, the mourners turned the procession into a moving farewell to an actress whose journey had touched many lives.
From LTV 8, the procession continued as colleagues walked together in remembrance of Osoba, with the candles illuminating the night and serving as a symbol of the memories she left behind.
For those who knew her, it was more than a farewell; it was a final collective expression of love, grief and gratitude for a colleague they said would not be forgotten.