Wale Fanu, a veteran filmmaker, has died. Jide Bisayo, a close friend of the director, revealed his death on Sunday.

The 72-year-old veteran, who had sickle cell, was the managing director of Cinekraft, one of Nollywood's most prestigious production houses.

In a statement announcing the legendary filmmaker's death, Bisayo stated that Cinekraft was instrumental in the formation of Nollywood.

"In the beginning, when Nollywood was only an embryo, there was CINEKRAFT," Busayo wrote. Cinekraft had a significant role in the emergence of the fledgling business.

"My boss, Wale Fanu, was the untiring, never-tired creative soul of Cinekraft administration and production management. Rest in the Lord's bosom, Uncle Wales (as I like to call you).

"A titan has returned home!"

Though Busayo didn’t state the time or cause of death, Fanu was known as a sickle cell survivor.

Fanu stated before his death that his illness robbed him of certain childhood experiences.

"It came to the point where my mum felt I'd never marry." She attempted to conceal the reality about my illness from others. But, to God's glory, I am married and have four children today," he had stated.