Career
He came into prominence for his role in popular Nigerian Television Authority television-series The Village Headmaster and the film adaptation of Chinua Achebe"s book Things Fall Apart. The Nigerian government honoured him with several National honours with the highest being an Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON) for his contribution to the development of Film-Making in Nigeria. He is the father of popular Mavin Records Musician Doctor Sid.
Justus was born on the 20th of November 1942 in Oria-Abraka, Delta State.
He then proceeded to Effurun and attended Urhobo College, Bendel State. He left Nigeria for Germany for his higher education.
Institutions he attended in Germany included Maximillan University, Munich, German(1964), Professor Weners Institute of Engineering, West Berlin (1967) and the Ahrens School of Performing Arts (1968).
While in Europe he began his acting career.
He was working as a German translator for voice of Nigeria in Germany when he received an invitation home from the Nigerian Government to star in "The Village Headmaster" which he accepted. Esiri died in hospital in Lagos on February 19, 2013 from complications of diabetes. A tribute night, organized by the Actors Guild of Nigeria, was held at the National Stadium on 8 April 2013.
His body was then taken to its final resting place in his hometown of Abraka.
Several government officials and entertainment personalities were present at his funeral.