NewsPeoplePete Edochie Celebrates 75th Birthday, Buhari Sends Greetings

Popular Nollywood veteran, Pete Edochie has clocked 75 today, March 7, and he has taken to social media to celebrate.

In a video shared via his Instagram page on Monday, the ace movie star cum multiple award recipient said attaining the age of 75 “is not a small age” and that anyone who says age is just a number should be subjected to “psychiatric evaluation”.

“75 is not a small age. How does it feel being 75, you know I have heard a lot of people say, age is just a number, anybody who says age is just a number should subject himself to psychiatric evaluation because as you age, you feel it within yourself but you try as much as possible not to allow it weigh you down,” he said.

He continued by expressing gratitude to God for sustaining his life over the years as most of his colleagues have passed away, adding that even though he is aging, his “faculty is still complete”.

“So, I want to start by thanking the almighty God for helping me get this far, most of my colleagues who started with me are no longer there, may their souls rest in peace.

“It is not easy being 75, you are prone to several medical challenges, but you just have to keep moving on but I’m happy that my faculty is still complete, so once more, I thank the almighty God.”

The Nollywood legend has been well celebrated on social media by his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) also celebrated the thespian as he marks his 75th birthday and prayed that the Almighty God will crown the award-winning actor, who has many international recognitions, with good health and strength to keep serving the nation.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, brought the spotlight to Nigeria and Africa with his performance in Things Fall Apart.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari joins entertainers in the music and movie industry, particularly Nollywood, in celebrating with veteran actor, scriptwriter, and movie producer, Pete Edochie, on his 75th birthday.

“President Buhari congratulates the renowned actor for the many pioneering and motivating roles in the entertainment industry, hitting the limelight in the 80s as Okonkwo in the screen adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, where his superlative performance brought the spotlight to Nigeria and Africa.

“The President notes that Edochie’s background of living and working extensively in various parts of the country and the world, after serving the government as staff of the Nigeria Railway Corporation and Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, greatly shaped his global outlook and influenced his interpretation of roles as a thespian.

“Congratulating Edochie, the usually stereotyped actor as king and father in movies, President Buhari affirms that his role in the founding and growing of Nollywood as one of biggest entertainment industries in the world deserves commendation, especially in incubating younger professionals and nurturing talents like his son, Yul Edochie.”

The thespian, had on Sunday, hosted a pre-birthday thanksgiving service ahead of his 75th birthday and he was accompanied by some of his close colleagues.