Nollywood actress Lilian Esoro has announced the death of her father, Ferdinand Collins Esoro, weeks after she lost a close friend.
The actress shared a photograph of her late father on Instagram on Sunday while reflecting on the pain of experiencing two significant losses within a short period.
According to Lilian, her father was the person who introduced her to Christianity and was her only surviving parent at the time of his death.
She wrote, “A few weeks ago, just as I was gearing up to take a breather from the rude shock of the passing of my dear friend, my life took another unexpected turn.
“A man who was an integral part of my life—the man who led me to Christ, my only living parent, My Dad—passed away suddenly.
“Once again, I was stopped in my tracks by the cold, wild wind of grief.”
The actress said she had attempted to cope with the loss by keeping herself occupied with social activities, work and event planning, but admitted that the grief remained difficult to escape.
“Since his passing, I have tried to bury myself in social activities, working and planning events to keep my mind and soul busy. But the truth is, nothing feels quite the same,” she said.
Describing the experience as different from her previous losses, Lilian said her emotions have fluctuated since her father’s death.
“This kind of grief is different. It is heart-wrenching and almost impossible to explain. Some days, I am genuinely happy. Other days, a wave of sadness hits me so suddenly and so deeply that I almost don’t know what to do with it or how to react,” she added.
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Despite the pain, the actress said her faith remained a source of strength.
“Through it all, I’ll say…. it is well with my soul. God is still God! With him there is no controversy.”
Prompt News reports Lilian also expressed gratitude to her family and friends for standing by her through the difficult period.
“Thank you my amazing family and friends for your love, prayers and upliftmnent during this time. Thank you, and God bless you all.”
The actress had celebrated her father’s 80th birthday in September 2025, describing him at the time as “a true leader, a lover of life, a lover of Christ”.
She also credited him with teaching her the Bible, teaching her how to pray and introducing her to Christ.
Lilian previously lost her mother in August 2021, a loss she described as difficult to accept.
The actress is known for her roles in several Nollywood productions, including Clinic Matters, and has also established herself as a businesswoman.
