By BENJAMIN NJOKU

Romanus Amuta who played Natty in the evergreen sitcom, New Masquerade, has debunked the rumours that went viral last week that he has passed on, saying “ I am very much alive.”

He is one of the ailing actors, for whom the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)’s president, Ibibabo Fiberesima has been seeking financial assistance from President Goodluck Jonathan; an effort which two weeks ago, yielded a lifeline of N10 million for screenwriter Chike Bryan, who requires a kidney transplant in India.

The actor’s eldest son, Dr. Chukwuma Amuta refuted the rumours during the week. “It is true that my dad had stroke some five years ago, in 2009. Presently he is clinically stable and he is recovering well.That was why I was very surprised when I heard about such information being spread in the media. He is improving gradually. He goes for checkup. He’s okay. Nathy is still alive,”Dr Amuta said.

Also, speaking in Enugu, the comic actor declared that he’s still alive. He, however, praised the president of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima for rescuing him. Ibinabo was in Enugu recently alongside the Secretary-General of the guild, Mr Yakubu Abubakar where she facilitated the actor’s admission in the hospital for further treatment.

“ My daughter, only God will reward you for saving my life. You have showed me that there is God. Anybody that says you are not working is not well. As you have saved my life, God will continue to preserve you. You brought me to this kind of big man hospital, paid everything, still gave me and my family extra money, bought foodstuffs for me. Only God can reward you. You have given me hope. now I am free,”said Natty.