Madam Elizabeth Evoeme, fondly known as Ovularia from the 80s TV sitcom ‘The New Masquerade,’ has died at the age of 81.
She passed away four and a half years after rumours of her death on November 5, 2019.
Born on December 1, 1942, a family member announced that she died in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday, surrounded by her loved ones.
A statement from the Evoeme Emekalam family regarding her passing read, “Friends, fans, colleagues, the family of the legendary actress, Elizabeth Lizzy ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme, would like to notify the public, all those who loved her and her work in ‘The New Masquerade,’ of her passing. Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme will be dearly missed and was extremely loved by her family and also by you, her fans.”
“We thank you all for your support and for respecting our privacy at this time. God bless you all and may our dear Elizabeth ‘Ovularia’ Evoeme rest in perfect peace, now and always.”
Her daughter, Justina Ngozi Evoeme, who is based in London confirmed Ovularia’s demise, which she described as painful and shocking, adding “I need to get my head around what has happened.”
On November 5, 2019, rumors of Evoeme’s death were reportedly announced on X, formerly Twitter by Churchill Ebhodaghe, with no details regarding the cause of her rumored passing.
However, dismissing the rumor, Ovularia reportedly stated on November 8, 2019, that those behind the rumor deserved to be punished.
She said, “There was never a time I was so sick that it get to the paper or the media. I was never so sick that I needed prayer and I made it public. My sickness is just the sickness of elderly people — arthritis, hypertension, that’s it.”
When asked if she knew what was responsible for the rumour, she said, “I wish I knew. I wish someone can answer the question for me. Those behind the rumour deserve punishment.”
Following the rumor of her death, Chika Okpala, popular for his role as Chief Zebrudaya Okoroigwe Nwaogbe alias 4.30 in the sitcom, dismissed the rumor.
“Who’s wishing her dead? I am telling you now that Ovularia is not dead. You can call her on the telephone and she will speak to you. Wishing her death means that she will live longer,” Zebrudaya reportedly said.
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