Amaka Igwe, one of Nigeria’s foremost film producers, writer, director and a leading player in the motion picture industry, is dead.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos by The Nigerian Entertainment (NET).

The statement said that Amaka died on Monday night in Enugu after a brief ill health.

Confirming the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Agility Onwurah, Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abuja Chapter, said Amaka’s demise was a big blow to the Nollywood industry.

“Amaka had gone to Enugu in company of her husband for a pre-production preparation for a new Igbo soap when the sad incident occurred.

“She suffered asthmatic attack and was immediately rushed to a hospital, but died before getting there.

“Amaka is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles Igwe, three children, and an aged mother, “the statement said.

Born Amaka Isaac-Ene, the deceased was an accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher.

She founded the BoB TV Expo, and was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Top Radio 90.9 FM, Amaka Igwe Studios, and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks.

The statement described Amaka as a visionary, and pioneer of modern Nigerian TV drama and film.

Amaka hit national limelight as the writer and producer of the award-winning TV soap, “Checkmate’’, and “Fuji House of Commotion’’.

“Her Nollywood projects include `RattleSnake’ and `Violated’, two critically-acclaimed movies that set apart Amaka Igwe Studios in the much-criticised Nollywood industry.

Onwurah described Amaka as one of the foremost producers in the industry and an encouragement to the entertainment industry in the country.

He said her contribution to AGN would be missed, stating that she did her best to ensure that the Guild was a force to reckon with in the entertainment industry in the world. (NAN).