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Son shares 1 thing people don't know about late actor, closest friends in Nollywood, receiving royalties after death

Omoruyi Efe also talked to Pulse about what he misses most about his late father, greatest advice he ever received from him and more.

On August 7, 2011, a 66-year-old Nollywood legend, Sam Loco Efe,  was found dead in his hotel room.

The late actor, whose acting career spanned decades, featured in unforgettable comedy films such as "Aki na Ukwa," "Ukwa," "Atinga," "Alice My First Lady," Tom and Jerry," "Everyday People," "Magic Cap," "A Fool at 40," "Slow Motion" among others.

During an interview with Pulse Nigeria, his son, Omoruyi Efe, talked about what he misses the most about his late father and legendary comedy actor.

He also shared the one thing people probably don't know about the late actor, the greatest advice he ever received from him, and receiving royalties for his works after his death.

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Read full interview below:

On what he misses the most about Sam Loco

I miss the way we used to play, because we played a lot. Before he died, I hadn't seen him for seven months because he was on location [and] I was in Law School.

In fact, he died a day before I started my bar exams. I was in Victoria Island here in Lagos and I think I heard [about his death] the next day.

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Someone who didn't know that I hadn't heard just said, "sorry about your dad,' and I was like, "what happened?' So I think he got to know that I didn't know, and he was like, "sorry, I was just playing."

It was a  Sunday and my bar finals started that Monday. It was tough, but I really missed having my dad because I could just call him then and gist. He was a friend, so I miss the friendship.

On family receiving royalties after actor's death

No, this is Naija. [There's] no such thing. But what we still get is people always remembering him and that's enough for us - to know that people actually still appreciate him, even several years after his death.

One thing people don't know about the late actor

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My dad didn't name me Omoruyi, he actually named me Buhari, after [the then] General Muhammadu Buhari. But I am not Buhari, before you people start chasing me on the streets.

My dad was also a historian and he also lectured in the University of Ibadan in the early 80s.

On the impact of following his dad to movie sets

I was with him for "Police Recruits," "Atinga" and any other movie that was shot in Enugu at that time. After my WASSCE, my dad actually registered me with Actors Guild of Nigeria. So I had a brief hint until I got admission into the Ambrose Ali university. I think that was the end of it.

When I started there, it was getting very addictive because anytime you're not around there [on set], it's as if 'mehn, movies are being shot and you're not there.' But my dad would always say 'no, you have to go to school first, after that you can decide.'

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But after studying law, I felt like there was no time for that [acting]. It would feel like starting a new career, so I just embraced Law and it has been good since then.

The support from Nollywood after father's death

At the beginning, yes [there was the support]. But of course, you know when time passes everybody moves on. It's just a basic fact of life [and] you get to understand it.

People move on with their own lives and all.

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Sam Loco's closest friends in the industry

His closest friends that I met personally, I would say Lasa Amoro. There's also Uchenna Amuta - Natty - from the "New Masquerade" series.

Also, Tom Njemanze from "Died Wretched." My dad used to call him Died Wretched. To an extent, I still keep in touch with some of them, the ones that are still there. Once in a while, we call.

Coping after Sam Loco's death

Sometimes we miss him, but what I am happy about is that he brought forth strong children. Over time, we began to cope and it has been good without him.

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It would have been nicer for him to be here, but even without him, we move on.

Greatest lesson and advice received from the late actor

The greatest lesson I learnt from my dad is to go after what I want, even when people are not helping.

He wasn't one to help you with anything. For instance, if you're looking for a job and the Managing Director is his friend, he wasn't one to call him for help.

He believed that if you merit it, you get it. So from that, I learnt a lot and it has helped me in life.

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My dad wouldn't sit you down to advise you, but overtime, with what he says, you would learn. The greatest advice I would say he gave me was to actually make sure that every decision you make, you're ready to live with the consequences.

For example, there was a time in Enugu. Popsy and I were staying in the same hotel. A friend of mine - a lady - came to see me. I didn't even know he was downstairs by the swimming pool and when I was escorting her, I saw him.

When I got back, he was like 'if you give girl belly, na you know. I no go pay any pikin school fees.' Basically, he taught us to stay with the consequences of our actions.

What Omoruyi Efe's has been up to

I have been facing my career. Right now, I am a partner in a law firm - Graceville Chambers in Ikeja - with some of my friends from school.

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On ever going into filmmaking

If I ever went back to Nollywood, it would be to produce because I have a knack for quality and not a lot of Nollywood movies that I watch...

I have a knack for excellence and perhaps, in future, when I am very tight, I want to create the best movie that has even been seen.

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