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Tag: Baba Sala

  • Baba Sala was a man of wisdom – Sunny Ade

    Baba Sala was a man of wisdom – Sunny Ade

    King of Juju Music, Sunny Ade, on Wednesday described late comedian, Moses Adejumo, popularly known as ”Baba Sala”, as a man of wisdom and intellect.

    King Sunny Ade spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos at a symposium organised in honor of Baba Sala, tagged, ”The Role of a Stage Play in Nascent Democracy.”

    NAN recalls that Sunny Ade was the lead guitarist in Late Olaiya’s former music band in the 1960s before the deceased went into comedy.

    ”He was like a father to me. He was very loving and considerate.

    ”I was privileged to have worked closely with him as a guitar player when the Federal Rhythm Dandies was running.

    “He guided me through the path which I now walk today,” Sunny Ade said.

    Speaking at the symposium, a film producer and director, Tunji Bamishigbin, said that theatre had been an all encompassing means of communication since the time of Greek plays.

    “The government should use theatre to pass their messages across as it is a language understood by the masses.

    ”Theatrical plays can be used to reach citizens before, during and after elections because it reflects the society as it really is,” he said.

    Also speaking on the theme, Professor of Theatre Arts, Bakare Ojo, said that for a nascent democracy to fulfill its potential for growth, it must be deliberately nurtured.

    ”It is in the connection of creating a better democracy that theatre becomes relevant.

    “Drama has always sought to positively impact the government.

    ”It can be used as a tool of communication and negotiation between the government and the people,” he said.

    He added that because the impact of theatrical performances on the audience was always immediate and spontaneous, it would serve as a great means of making democracy better.

    Paying tributes to the late Adejumo, some of his colleagues described him as a man who was unique in thinking and doing.

    Veteran actor, Olatunbosun Odunsi, described the deceased as a man of the people who was God-fearing and made his job utmost priority.

    ”He was different in a unique way, very accommodating and wise and I don’t think we can ever have any other like him.”

    Similarly, veteran actor, Lere Paimo, said that he was a very truthful man who lived life according to the principles of God.

    ”It’s sad that death took him at this time. He was a man of good character.

    ”He set the pace for a lot of other comedians and his works will never be forgotten,” he said.

    NAN reports that there were cultural performances by Lagos State Arts Council, Ogun State Arts Council, Crown Troupe of Africa and Drumview Concept, among others.

    NAN

  • Baba Sala's colleague, Ajimajasan dies at 80

    Ola Omonitan, who was one of the comedians who dominated the stage at the same time with the late comic actor, Moses Adejumo, popularly called Baba Sala, has died at the age of 80.
    Omonitan, who was popularly known as Ajimajasan, died at his home in Ibadan after a protracted illness.
    The comedian had been admitted at the University College Hospital, Ibadan for age-related ailment a few weeks ago but was discharged on Monday.
    Public Relations Officer at the UCH, Deji Bobade confirmed that the family brought him to the hospital early on Thursday but the doctor who attended to him confirmed that he was dead.
    He said, “Ajimajasan was receiving treatment at the hospital ward for a few days but he was discharged on Monday. He was bought back early today (Thursday) but after being examined, the doctor told the family that he was brought in dead.”
    The late comedian was a regular feature at the then NTV Ibadan comedy show series several decades ago competing for fame and popularity with Baba Sala.
    Among popular comedians who worked with Ajimajasan theatre group are Ayo Ogunshina, popularly called Papalolo, and Kayode Olaiya, whose stage name is Aderupoko.

  • Remembering Baba Sala: The legendary comic actor viciously attacked by pirates

    Marcus Aurelius once said: “It is not death that a man should fear, he should fear never beginning to live”.
    Moses Olaiya Adejumo popularly known by his stage name, Baba Sala, will forever be remembered in the annals of theatre arts in Nigeria as man who impacted the entertainment industry with his God given talent.
    Baba Sala who passed on Sunday, October 7, at the age of 81 can be referred to as one of the foremost comedians in Nigeria.
     
     
     
    THE BEGINNING
    Born on May 18, 1936, Baba Sala began his journey into stardom as a civil servant, a sanitary inspector. He combined his job as a sanitary inspector with a part-time teaching work and the daily thrift collection. Baba Sala’s unique selling points were his enormous bow tie, gigantic spectacles, over-size shoes, alarm clock and pipe.
    Activities of Baba Sala’s theatre group had seen him making his mark in the 60s, 70s and the early 80s alongside Hubert Ogunde, Adeyemi Afolayan, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, Ishola Ogunshola and Oyin Adejobi.
    While his comic and drama series are viewed typecast in terms of delivery, it was widely accepted by fans who couldn’t communicate in Yoruba language.
    These achievements and contribution towards the Nigerian entertainment industry, earned Baba Sala a national honour.
    In 1978, Nigeria’s military head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo conferred the Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, on Baba Sala.
    THE GIANT LEAP
    Following the conception of the first television station in Nigeria, Western Nigeria Television, WNTV, Baba Sala’s career witnessed a giant leap.
    On the instruction of the Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had at some occasions seen the performances of Baba Sala, the comedian got a one-year contract of drama sketches at the WNTV.
    He collaborated with Alawada Series on WNTV and later NTA Ibadan every Wednesday between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM and his fame knew no bound.
    The talented comedian wrote all episodes of his drama series in which more often than not he was the lead character.
     
     
     

    THE STORM
    He was nudged him to make a film because of his growing fame gained through amazing work in theatre and television. In 1982 Orun Mooru was released. He put up his houses for sale so he could return a bank loan that piracy had ensured he would not be able to pay on the basis of proceeds of the film. Pirates were the ones smiling to the bank after a brother-in-law allegedly stole the master tape of the work originally made on celluloid.
    This affected his health, he lost his wives and he almost got paralyzed.
     
     

     
     
    THE KSA CONNECTION
    The revered King Sunny Ade owes his success to the years he spent under the tutelage of Baba Sala.
    In 1964, Baba Sala, who had honed his skills in high-life and Juju music, led a group known as the Federal Rhythm Dandies.
    Federal Rhythm Dandies launched the Moses Adejumo’s musical career – and ultimately a career in entertainment – himself into stardom.Unknown to many, Baba Sala’s band had Sunday Adegeye – now known as King Sunny Ade – as his lead guitarist.
    “Drama was in my blood. I was a drummer. Sunny Ade likes playing guitar. I taught him how to play guitar and he is very good at it. I am proud of him. Sunny Ade’s ambition was to play drums. He said that it was not in him to act. I felt that I should concentrate on acting and leave Sunny Ade to drumming and playing guitar. That was why I gave him my drum and musical instruments,” Baba Sala had said in an interview “.
    “Baba Sala is my boss and he would continue to be my boss for life. I owe him that gratitude for life. I was playing percussion in his band and he was playing guitar and a couple of instruments. I was in charge of the music in the drama section, playing conga. He actually prompted me to go into music with a proviso that I should go and if after nine months, I found it tough, I should come back. He told me, go and try and that if does not work, come back,” King Sunny Ade said in an interview.
     
    HIS LEGACY
    FG Mourns 'Baba Sala', Calls Him Incomparable Thespian

    In his biography written by Tosin Ajirire and Wale Alabi, Baba Sala declared how he would love to be remembered.
    “I want to be remembered for all the good things I’ve done for this country. I want to be remembered for the joys I’ve brought to many homes, the souls I’ve lifted out of sorrows”.
     

  • Immortalize Baba Sala, name a national monument after him- Saraki tells FG

    Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Senate President on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to immortalize the late comic-actor, Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala .
    He advised the Federal government to name a befitting national monument after him as a mark of honour and encouragement to both present and future artistes in the country.
    Saraki also expressed sadness over the death of Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala.
     
    In a statement made on Tuesday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the late comedian as a prolific artiste who contributed immensely to the development of the nation’s movie industry in particular and arts and culture in general, during his lifetime.
    “Baba Sala was a legend who through dint of hard work, tenacity and creative inventiveness, pioneered comedy and made theatre and television sitcoms and skits a culture embraced by the masses.
     
    “His regular dose of hilarity and wisecracks enlivened households across the country in unquantifiable ways. He was pivotal to making comedy a major art form in Nigeria, and we are seeing his impact in the comic superstars we have today.
    “Baba Sala brought laughter into people’s lives. He was a true hero who embodied the quintessential Nigerian spirit of growing from obscurity to stardom. He lived an impactful life and helped to discover and groom talents – some of whom are today leading lights in the Nigerian music and film industries.
     
    “I join millions of fans to mourn the passage of this comic genius whose movies served as a forerunner to Nollywood. He was a prolific artist and left his footprints on the sands of time. He shall be missed.”
     
    He sympathized with the family of the deceased, the Nigerian movie industry, the government and people of Osun State and all lovers of comedy across the country over the loss of such an entertainment icon.

  • Online scammers using Baba Sala’s name to make money- Son

    Online scammers using Baba Sala’s name to make money- Son

    The family of the late Moses Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala, has advised unwary members of the public against falling for the ruses of some fraudsters who have opened an online account for the funeral of the comedian.
    The oldest son of the comedian, Rev’d Bamidele Adejumo said the family had not opened any account for the burial of his father contrary to the claims of some fraudsters.
    Bamidele noted that the family was embarrassed that some persons had opened a fake account and asking funds from members of the public.
     
    Speaking in a chat with Punch, he said: “We have not opened any PayPal account or any online account. The claim is false information. The family has not asked for anything from anybody. We have not met and nobody is soliciting anything from anybody yet. If we will be expecting anything from any fans, admirers or anybody at all, it will be freewill donation.
    “We have not opened any PayPal site or any intent account for people to donate to. Anybody who wants to donate anything to the family should please come to the family in Ilesa. Such people can come with pressmen and take photographs to document it.
    “They should have standard record and avoid fraudsters. They should avoid fraudsters, who are posing as members of the family.”
     

  • Baba Sala: NANTAP, others commiserate with artiste’s family

    Baba Sala: NANTAP, others commiserate with artiste’s family

    The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) on Tuesday joined other Nigerians to condole with the family of Moses Olaiya Adejumo, a.k.a “Baba Sala’’ who died on Sunday.
     
    Its national president, Israel Eboh, expressed the condolence in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
     
    He said that the death of the legendary and iconoclastic comic artiste, also known as “ Baba Sala’’, was an “end of an era.’’
     
    He told NAN that the late Apostle Moses Olaiya Adejumo was among the last generation of the pioneers of the Nigerian theatre industry.
     
    “NANTAP joined other admirers in mourning the elder artiste who had a distinguished career as a thespian.
     
    “He brought joy to millions through his hilarious jokes and exemplified the spirit of adventure synonymous with most Nigerians.
     
    “He created many classics that will ensure his memory lives with us forever,’’ he said.
     
    Eboh noted that the late comedian left an indelible mark on the sand of time and an impressive legacy of courage, dedication, hard work, discipline and commitment to the theatre vocation.
     
    Also, Soibifaa Dokubo, an actor, described the late `Baba Sala’ as the `grandmaster’ of comedy in Nigeria.
     
    “This is largely unknown to the younger ones. As one who followed his works even as a non-Yoruba speaking person, I deeply feel the vacuum created by his transition.
     
    “May his jolly soul rest in peace,’’ he said.
     
    Similarly, Victor Agbo popularly known as “V-Level comedian’’ expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.
     
    “ A comic icon is gone but his legacy lives on, RIP Baba Sala,’’ he said.
     
    A dancer, Tosin Oyebisi, said that `Baba Sala’ was a wonderful man and the greatest comedian of our time.
     
    “He had gone home to rest, May his gentle soul rest in peace,’’ he said.
     
    Mrs Ngozi Ojogwu, a business woman based in Surulere told NAN that she never missed any of the episodes of `Baba Sala’ ’s drama series then.
     
    “What a legend he was.
     
    “Rest on sir until we meet to part no more. To the family she urged them to take heart, it is well,’’ she said.
     
    Mr Adebisi Oyebola, a civil servant, also told NAN that he was addicted to “Baba Sala” comedy in those days.
     
    “I was not missing out his programme and he was a very funny person.
     
    “May his soul rest in peace, thank God he was old,’’ he said.
     
    NAN reports that notable Nollywood actors led by Jide Kosoko, Segun Akiremi had on Monday condoled with the family also.

  • Baba Sala’s son urges thespians to learn from late father’s experiences

    Emmanuel Adejumo, the son of late veteran comedian, Moses Adejumo, popularly known as “Baba Sala, on Monday urged Nigerians to learn from his father’s achievements and mistakes.
    Adejumo said his father was a hardworking man who contributed his quota to the development of the movie industry in Nigeria.
    According to him, one of the greatest mistakes that befell his father while alive and active is the misfortune of piracy that financially crippled him.
    “My dad was strong till he died. He died of old age and nothing was wrong with him health wise.
    “My dad is well known in the movie industry and I urge actors to learn from his achievements in the industry as a comedian.
    “Actors should also be careful of piracy because it is an evil menace that is stunting the growth of the industry,“ he said.
    Adejumo said that Baba Sala died in his house at Ilesha, Osun on Sunday night after having his supper.
    “My dad passed on out of old age and not sickness. He was a very active person, someone who loved his job so much and knew what he wanted.
    “He has finally gone to rest with the Lord and I pray that he should rest in peace,” he said.

  • FG Mourns 'Baba Sala', Calls Him Incomparable Thespian

    FG Mourns 'Baba Sala', Calls Him Incomparable Thespian

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has expressed profound sadness over the death of Mr. Moses Olaiya, popularly known as ‘Baba Sala’, saying the death has robbed the nation of an incomparable Thespian and a colossus of his time.
    In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Minister described Baba Sala as a trail blazer, as he – along with his contemporaries – laid the foundation for the theatre and comedy that have now taken Nigeria’s creative industry by storm.
    ”Baba Sala’s sacrifices, contribution and commitment played a great role in launching an industry that is now a huge employer of labour and a significant contributor to the nation’s economy. Through it all, he lived a life of honesty and service that qualified him as a great role model,” he said.
    Alhaji Mohammed condoled with the family of the late foremost comedian, and prayed that God will grant repose to his soul and also grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

  • Baba Sala was not sick, he didn’t of any sickness-Son

    Emmanuel, one of the sons of the deceased veteran comic actor, Baba Sala has revealed that his father didn’t die of any sickness.
    Emmanuel noted that Baba Sala ate his last meal around 6pm and took a rest for a while before he went to bed and died in his sleep.
    He stated that Baba Sala’s youngest wife, Funmilayo, went to his room to tell him something when she discovered that Baba Sala had died.
    “Baba died last night. He died at 81. I was not there but his wife called the eldest son of the family immediately it happened and that one called me and narrated everything to me. His body had been taken to the mortuary. We will need to hold a meeting before we can fix anytime for his burial. Some of the children are just hearing about it this morning.
    “I will miss so many things about my dad. He was a very lively person. He was always advising us even those who were not his biological children, he advised them equally. He would tell you what to do and guide you.
    “Though he was not wealthy, he was rich in the knowledge of God and he had a wealth of experience. He would tell us that his own father did not encourage him to be a comedian, that he didn’t have anybody to advise him when he was growing up but he was always guiding us and praying for us.
    “He was a prayerful man. He was a Godly person, he never missed morning and evening prayers. If there was anything he was expecting or any trip he wanted to undertake, he would instruct all of us to pray and fast for nothing bad to happen. We all learnt this from him.
    “We were together with him two Sundays ago because that day was his Family Harvest Day. He was the minister in charge at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Idasa but that Sunday was set aside for him as his own family harvest and we were there. After the harvest, we played with him before we departed.
    “He was not sick. I was told that he ate last night. He did not die of any sickness. It was just the time for him to go and be with the Lord. One of my younger ones talked to him on the telephone on Saturday and he was okay. His wife, Iya Rhoda, told me that he ate around 6pm and rested for a while before he entered into his room to lie down on the bed.
    “His wife went inside the room to tell him something and she discovered that he was not responding. She started calling him, ‘Chairman, Chairman,’ but no response. She shook him and discovered that he had gone”, he told Punch.
     

  • 5 things you should know about Late Baba Sala

    5 things you should know about Late Baba Sala

    Veteran comic-actor, Moses Adejumo Olaiya better known as Baba Sala is dead.
    The ace entertainer died in Ilesa on Sunday evening and his body has been deposited at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex Annex, (Wesley Guild Hospital) in Ilesa.
     

    In this report, TNG takes a look at 5 things you need to know about the veteran entertainer.

    1. Baba Sala, regarded as the father of modern Nigerian comedy,[alongside other dramatists like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi and Duro Ladipo popularized theater and television acting in Nigeria.

    2 In 2017, Baba Sala solicited the financial support of well-meaning Nigerians for him to be able to take care of his health.He was said to be suffering from stroke.
     
    3. Baba Sala was also a rounded artiste who made his marks in other areas of the performing arts, especially music. The King of World Beats, King Sunny Ade, for instance, had his skills honed under the tutelage of the Ile-sha, Osun State-born performer.
     
    4. In 2017, a book was published in his honour titled ‘Triumph of destiny’ written by Collins Oyedokun, Akinola Babatunde and Kunle Ajani.
     

    1. In an interview, his son, Reverend Dele Adejumo noted that Baba Sala’s fortunes were wrecked by circumstances and debt incurred as a result of scrupulous business man, who pirated his ‘Orun Mooru’ flick many years ago.
      Among his investments listed by Adejumo are the Awada Spot in Ibadan; Alawada Standard Hotel, Ilesha; Alawada Records, Ibadan; and Ibukun Alawada photo magazine.