By Adeola Aderounmu

Gringory is dead and as usual Nigerians are praising him for the laughter he brought into their homes especially in the 1970s and 1980s. Gringory was a comedian in the TV Series Masquerade (later The New Masquerade).

He has been reported as 69, 70 and 74 years and I don’t know which one of them is correct.

I don’t know how much recognition late Gringory got when he was alive. He has the title of a chief (local) and OON (National award). But these meaningless awards did not add quality to the live of Gringory.

Like many artists and sportspersons who have represented Nigeria or made Nigerian proud, Gringory suffered neglect. I have not read that a monument was erected in his local government talk less of his state of origin.

I have not read that the government of Nigeria is taking care of her heroes and heroines but I know that former presidents who looted the treasury are still receiving huge sums of money monthly on top of their loots. Even other ex-politicians still collect contracts fraudulently and they continue to enrich themselves.

Those who remain in public service continue to loot daily with recourse to the serious damage their disservice has done/id doing to the economy and low standard of living/ severe spread of poverty and penury.

Gringory is gone but the Nigerian story remains the same-one of the biggest tragedies of modern era.
Gringory was a delight to watch those days on the New Masquerade. He was very funny and he made us laugh. Along with the other creative members of the cast, he did a marvelous job.

May James Iroha rest in peace. May his family have the fortitude to bear the loss.