Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has addressed trending rumours about the death of her colleague, Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw.
Taking to her Instagram page, Rita condemned the increasing spread of false death news about celebrities, describing it as a destructive trend perpetuated by content creators seeking engagement.
Rita revealed that Osita Iheme had been the victim of such rumors multiple times, with the most recent instance causing an outpouring of grief in the comments section of social media posts. She highlighted how netizens quickly believed the hoax, sharing condolences without verification.
Calling this behavior “madness,” Rita noted that the trend has affected numerous Nollywood stars, including herself and her husband, Pete Edochie. She recounted how a movie scene of hers from Calabash, where her character dies, was misused to spread false information about her passing. Similarly, false reports had circulated claiming Pete Edochie had died while traveling abroad.
Rita expressed her frustration at the growing irresponsibility of some bloggers and social media users. She emphasized that such behavior is not only harmful but also reflects a lack of respect for human life. According to her, these actions are driven by the quest for online traffic and financial gain, regardless of the emotional toll on those targeted.
“Why, in the name of God, would you wish untimely death on someone, especially Nigerian celebrities, simply because you feel we are famous and can fetch you the traffic, engagements, and funds that you don’t deserve?”
While acknowledging the positive impact of social media as a tool for youth empowerment, Rita lamented its misuse in spreading harmful content. She urged for stricter measures to hold content creators accountable, stating that without repercussions, the trend would persist.
“Social media has literally done more harm than good to society, even though it has also been a constant source of enrichment for most Nigerian youths in the country. But the abuse is getting out of hand.”
Rita concluded by imploring bloggers and content creators to stop spreading fake news, especially death rumors, about celebrities. She humorously pointed out that celebrities are central to entertainment, and their absence would leave these same creators without material to profit from.
“You don’t have to grow your pages through death wishes on innocent heads. If we all die today as celebrities, na who una go come dey watch?”
Fans and colleagues have shown support for Rita’s stance, agreeing that the abuse of social media platforms for spreading unverified information needs to be curbed. Many have also called for legal measures to address the growing issue of fake news.
Also Read:Rita Edochie Calls Out Hypocrisy of People Who Preach God but Harbor Wickedness
