Less than a week after the sudden death of pop diva Goldie, the Nigerian showbiz industry was last night thrown into mourning once more following the death of veteran actor Justus Esiri of Village Headmaster fame.

Father of pop star Dr. SID, Esiri, who died at 71 reportedly from diabetes or low blood sugar, achieved fame as a star actor in the famous but now rested soap, Village Headmaster. Thanks to his exploits as an actor (he also featured in some Nollywood flicks), Esiri won several awards, among them the top Nigerian national honour, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

Condolence messages have been pouring in for Dr. SID (real name Sidney Onoriode Esiri), one of the star acts of Maven Records.

“My condolence to DR SID,” tweeted Maven records boss Don Jazzy this morning. “RIP JUSTUS ESIRI.”

On her part, female pop star BOUQUI tweeted: “Take Heart Drew and Dr. Sid.”

While Goldie was pronounced dead upon arrival at a Lagos hospital last Thursday night, Esiri was said to have died after about an hour in a hospital in the same city.

•Photo: Late veteran actor Justus Esiri.