I never spared time to hang out with Saint Obi despite requests — Tchidi Chikere

Nollywood director Tchidi Chikere

Filmmaker Tchidi Chikere has made public his regrets following the death of actor Saint Obi.

Saint Obi dominated the screens in the 1990s and 2000s. He died at the age of 57 after a protracted undisclosed ailment.

The news of the death was confirmed on Saturday after nearly one week.

Recalling the memories he shared with the actor, Tchidi said in an Instagram post on Saturday night that Saint Obi invited him for a hangout severally but he was too busy.

He said, “We spoke several times in January. You kept saying we hang out and catch up. I never created the time. I thought we had all the time in the world! Friends could always finish their busy schedule and still meet another day. So I thought. Phew! For that I am terribly sorry!”

The movie maker also said he offered Saint Obi lead roles in movies which the latter rejected.

“I offered you a movie role in February and you declined. You said you had put on weight and wanted to get back in shape before acting. You told me loads of stuff and how you love your children and how you wish you could see them…You didn’t sound like your old self..I felt you ‘ d lost your zeal for life. So I called a few days later and I offered you three lead roles in three movies which you declined. You refused to act. I was shocked. You said ‘Tee I ll come to the USA and we will do big things, I want to relaunch myself with something big,'” Tchidi wrote.

He also recalled how he’s been friends with Saint Obi since 2004 and how the latter stood as witness at his court wedding.

Saint Obi married Linda Amobi, a telecom company executive, in 2006.

The couple, however, became estranged and battled for custody of their three children in court.

The actor accused his wife of threat to life and joined her brothers in a lawsuit in which he also alleged that she imprisoned their children.