Veteran Nollywood actor, Davis Ofor, popularly known as Clarus in the 1980s sitcom, New Masquerade, is dead.

The news of his passing was announced on Tuesday by a fellow actor, Tony Akposheri, in an Instagram post.

Akposheri expressed shock and sadness over the death of the actor, recalling their recent interactions.

He revealed that they had recently spent time together during the New Year, sharing memories and discussing future plans.

“Today, my heart is heavy. Davis Ofor, fondly known as Clarus from New Masquerade, is gone.

“We crossed into the New Year together, laughing, talking, sharing memories, and speaking hopefully about the days ahead,” he wrote.

“We spoke about life, about plans, about how far we had come. None of us knew that time was already counting differently for you.”

Describing the late actor as more than just a screen personality, Akposheri paid tribute to his character and impact.

“You were more than a familiar face on screen. You were a friend, a brother, a man with warmth, humour, and a presence that could light up any space,” he wrote.

“It is hard to believe that the voice I heard not long ago is now a memory. Hard to accept that someone so full of life can suddenly become a story we tell.”

He added, “Rest well, my friend. You came, you gave joy, you made your mark, and you will never be forgotten.”

Clarus gained prominence for his role in New Masquerade, one of Nigeria’s most popular television comedy shows, where his character became a household name.

Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately available.

Ofor rose to prominence for his role as Clarus in New Masquerade, a widely acclaimed Nigerian television comedy that aired on the Nigerian Television Authority and became a household favourite in the 1980s.

His portrayal of the comic character earned him national recognition and endeared him to audiences across the country, making Clarus one of the most memorable figures in Nigerian television history.

Major listed brewers in Nigeria generated a combined revenue of over N1.54tn from the sale of beer and other non-alcoholic drinks in the first nine months of 2025, indicating the estimated amount spent by Nigerians on brewery products during the review period.

According to the unaudited financial statements of Nigerian Breweries Plc, International Breweries Plc, and Champion Breweries Plc for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the companies collectively recorded strong top-line performance driven largely by beer sales.

Nigerian Breweries Plc, the largest brewer in the country, recorded net revenue of N1.05tn for the period, up from N710.87bn in the corresponding period of 2024. Cost of sales stood at N631.23bn, resulting in a gross profit of N415.15bn.

After accounting for selling and distribution expenses of N193.85bn, administrative expenses of N59.58bn, finance costs of N39.15bn, and other charges, the company posted a profit after tax of N85.51bn, compared with a loss of N149.50bn in 2024. Basic earnings per share rose to 275 kobo from a loss of 1,455 kobo in the previous year.

In March, Nigerian Breweries Plc announced a return to profitability in the first quarter of 2025, reporting a 186 per cent increase in net profit compared to the same period in 2024. The unaudited financial results released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that revenue for the period ended March 31, 2025, rose to N383.6bn, representing a 68.9 per cent increase from N227.1bn recorded in the first quarter of 2024.

International Breweries Plc, which operates in Nigeria and other West African markets, generated revenue of N472.57bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from N343.45bn in the same period of 2024.

The company reported a profit after tax of N57.83bn, reversing a loss of N112.81bn in 2024. Cost of sales increased to N311.64bn from N248.58bn, while administrative, marketing, and distribution expenses rose to N92.09bn from N72.68bn.

International Breweries Plc posted a profit of N11.9bn for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, marking a turnaround from a loss of N47.3bn in the same period last year. The company’s unaudited financial statements showed revenue increased to N167.4bn in Q2 2025 from N120bn in Q2 2024, while gross profit rose to N61.9bn from N33.8bn.

Champion Breweries Plc recorded revenue of N21.44bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from N14.02bn in the same period of 2024. The company posted a profit after tax of N2.05bn, compared with N21.50m in 2024. Cost of sales rose to N11.14bn from N8.13bn, while selling and distribution expenses increased to N4.24bn from N3.25bn.

Overall, the combined revenue of the three companies amounted to N1.54tn, with Nigerian Breweries Plc accounting for the bulk of sales.

Analysts say the figures highlight the resilience of Nigeria’s beer market, which continues to benefit from strong brand loyalty and distribution networks despite rising production costs and broader macroeconomic pressures.

Commenting on consumer behaviour, the Head of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co., Ayokunle Olubunmi, said the market is experiencing a gradual shift in spending patterns, with some consumers reducing beer consumption, a trend influencing how breweries adjust their strategies.

“Following AB InBev’s acquisition of International Breweries, the company invested in new breweries and production facilities to expand capacity. This indicates that firms are prioritising scaling operations and improving efficiency to meet rising demand and strengthen their market position,” Olubunmi said.

On the broader economic impact, the Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Ayo Teriba, cautioned that strong sales figures do not necessarily translate into greater economic contribution.

“The point is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Sales may be boosted by size, but if that size reflects purchases from other companies rather than actual value added, the contribution to the economy is limited. What really matters is net output, what value the company is actually creating. GDP, after all, is the sum of value created, not just total sales figures,” Teriba said.

Source: PUNCH