Veteran actor Davis Ofor, ‘Clarus’ of New Masquerade, dies

Veteran Nollywood actor Davis Ofor, widely known as Clarus from the 1980s sitcom New Masquerade, has died.

Fellow actor Tony Akposheri announced the passing on Tuesday via an Instagram post, expressing shock and sadness. Akposheri recalled their recent time together over the New Year, when they shared memories and discussed future plans.

“Today, my heart is heavy. Davis Ofor, fondly known as Clarus from New Masquerade, is gone,” Akposheri wrote. “We crossed into the New Year together, laughing, talking, sharing memories, and speaking hopefully about the days ahead. We spoke about life, about plans, about how far we had come. None of us knew that time was already counting differently for you.”

Paying tribute, Akposheri described the late actor as more than just a screen personality. “You were more than a familiar face on screen. You were a friend, a brother, a man with warmth, humour, and a presence that could light up any space. It is hard to believe that the voice I heard not long ago is now a memory. Hard to accept that someone so full of life can suddenly become a story we tell. Rest well, my friend. You came, you gave joy, you made your mark, and you will never be forgotten.”

Clarus became a household name through his role on New Masquerade, one of Nigeria’s most beloved television comedy shows, which aired on the Nigerian Television Authority and was a favorite in the 1980s. His comic portrayal earned him national recognition and endeared him to audiences nationwide.

Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately available.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts