Veteran actor, Otia Vitalis, journeys home July 6.

He will begin his last journey on Friday July 5, following the removal of his mortal remains from the Yaounde Biyem-Assi District Hospital mortuary.

According to the progamme, a requiem mass will be held at the St Peter and Paul Anglophone Parish, Simbock, before viewing of corpse. 

The corpse will be conveyed to Bamenda same day for burial on Saturday July 6. A funeral in Bamenda will be staged at the family residence at P&T Garage, Ntarinkon.

Meanwhile, a requiem mass will be held at the St Joseph Metropolitan Cathedral, Big Mankon, before burial in strict family intimacy.

Born on October 8, 1967, Otia Vitalis Suh, died on June 9, 2024, following a brief illness. The senior biomedical scientist cum movie actor, died in the early hours of Sunday June 9 in Yaounde.

We gathered that Otia Vitalis who featured in over 50 movies throughout his career, breathed his last after suffering from an unknown illness.

He was hospitalised at the Yaounde Biyem-Assi District Hospital from where he gave up the ghost.

The Guardian Post learnt that Otia who was amongst the pioneers in the Cameroonian film industry, took ill recently and was rushed to hospital.

After battling between life and death for days, he finally succumbed to the cold hands of death. It was not immediately known what might have killed the movie star and celebrated thespian.

Otia Vitalis gained recognition primarily for portraying fatherly characters in Cameroon Movie Industry, Collywood films in the early 2000s. 

The multifaceted movie legend was mainly seen in his movies as a statesman, police officer, traditional ruler, father, or elder.

His breakthrough came through his role in the popular series, Bad Angels, aired on state-run media, CRTV.

Humble beginnings             

Though originally a native of Modele in Menchum Division of the North West region, Otia Vitalis was born in Tole, near Buea of the South West Region.

He began acting as far back as his secondary school days in Bishop Rogan College, Small Soppo, Buea. It so happened that a member of the drama club was once absent and he was called up to replace him. 

He played the role so well and the Rev Father in charge, Fr Humphery Tatah Mbuy, was very impressed and so kept calling him to act.

Aside being an actor, Otia Vitalis was a senior medical laboratory scientist. He worked at the research unit of the University of Yaounde I. 

In the movie industry, Otia served as board chair of the Cameroon film industry. He was elected to the coveted position in 2013. 

A pioneer in the Cameroonian film industry, Otia Vitalis was founder of the Red Feather Awards which promoted Cameroon culture in entertainment.

He featured in over 50 made-in-Cameroon movies and three TV series. He was well known for his role in popular TV series, Bad Angels which gained popularity in most Cameroonian households. 

He also featured in movies including 4th Generation, Hidden Dreams, Saving Mbango, Daniella the Slave Girl, Love Trap, Dzemakou, Samba, Maestro and Broken which is on Netflix. he earned nominations and recognitions in the film industry for putting Cameroon on the global stage.

He was spotted in at least four adverts on TV and outdoor publicity for corporate companies. Vitalis Otia also featured in a famous music video by renowned singer, Mr Leo.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3141 of Friday June 14, 2024