It is 20 years since Nollywood superstar actor, Richard Mofe Damijo lost his first wife, May Mofe-Damijo (nee Ellen-Ezekiel) to complications related to fibroid surgery.
The late May was the publisher of Classique Magazine, Editor of Quality Magazine and host of Mee & You Television Talk Show.
MEE (May Ellen Ezekiel) as she was fondly called was an amazing career woman, amiable talk-show host, mother and philanthropist whose affable personality endeared her to everyone who came across her.
It was no surprise then, when after her death on Saturday, March 23, 1996, RMD was quick to point out that she remained the great woman who polished him and helped his fledgling career.
As the people’s favourite actor stages a comeback to our screens after a long hiatus, Encomium.ng in this piece highlights some major changes in his life in the last 20 years.
1. MEE’s company collapsed
MEE’s publication, Classique Magazine, a publication that was doing pretty well before her untimely death disappeared from the newsstands shortly after her death.
2. RMD Floated Company, Whitewater
The Actor floated a PR outfit, Whitewater Ltd. with its office located at Ikeja, Lagos.
3. His acting career gained traction and he became a household name
RMD started acting heavily after May’s passing as he kept landing major roles back to back. Many still have fond memories of his roles in blockbuster movies such as Out of Bounds, Hostages, Diamond Ring, Private Sin and many more. Good times…
4. He remarried, tying the knot with Jumobi Adegbesan
He found love again in popular TV presenter, Jumobi Adegbesan and he wasted no time in tying the knot with her in year 2000, four years after MEE’s demise. His public expression of his love to Jumobi on her birthday earlier this year melted hearts over and over.
He said, “Love of my life. My Quarterback. My Rock. My wife. I am everything I am because you love me. Warts’n All. Ur d one God gave me to love me as I am. 16 years later see where we are. See how I am. You make it all look beautiful. Mother of my children. My Adumaradan. I know you’ll rather I don’t bring you out here but I will love them to know the OTHER source of my strength and pride. Thank you baby for keeping my feet on the ground and making it real. You are my HERO. I love you. Happy birthday my ABK.
5. He became a commissioner and served for two terms
RMD was appointed Commissioner For Culture & Tourism in Delta state where he served for two terms.
6. He shed weight significantly
HE caused a major stir in 2014 when pictures of him looking dangerously frail circulated on the internet, leaving many worried about his health. The din was so much that he had to explain the reasons for his new look. “I am not sick. I changed my lifestyle and lost weight and I am looking better than I have ever looked in my adult life.”
7. His son, OgheneKome got married
December 2013 produced one of RMD’s proudest moments as his son, Oghenekome Mofe Damijo got married to his beau, Eniola Oluwafunmilayo in a well attended ceremony.
The handsome actor became a granddad in March, 2015 when his son and wife gave birth to a baby boy.
8. RMD became an ambassador for GLO
In 2014, telecoms giant, Globacom announced the signing of RMD alongside other top actors, including Pa Aluwe, Zebrudaya, Mr. Latin, Madam Kofo among others as the company’s brand ambassadors.
9. Slays Effortlessly In Collaborative Shoot With Nigerian Designer
Nigerian menswear designer, Temitayo Ilesanmi Nathan (T.I. Nathan) hooked up with the fashionable actor to tell a story that portrays the many sides of Mr Mofe-Damijo’s life and lifestyle.
The result was a photoshoot that featured a line of bespoke pieces that convinced all that RMD could have become a successful international model if he had wanted to.
10. Staged a comeback to the screen with a major Soap Opera, HUSH
Fans of the superstar could hardly believe their ears when it was announced that their darling RMD was staging a major comeback to the screens via Africa Magic in a new telenovella, ‘Hush’.
culled from Encomium
