•As Many More Full On Bad Times
Many were moved to tears, while some cried uncontrollably when they saw the health condition of many Nollywood veterans at Foluke Daramola’s Gala Event and Awards that was organized for the veterans in the industry. The programme is tagged PARA. The event venue which was filled to the brim with many Nollywood stars elicited a mixture of happiness and sorrow. You may ask why? They were all happy that Foluke Daramola came up with that idea and initiative because it is very rare to see a Nollywood star spend heavily on her colleagues. She went as far as reaching out to many veterans who have been forgotten in the industry. The part that saddened everyone present is the health status of many of these veterans. Although, the news of the illness of some of these veterans was all over the place when their various ailments began, but there were some that we either never heard of or probably never knew it was that serious.
Clearly, the sun hasn’t been smiling on many of these veterans because we could barely recognize some of them when they were brought into the event hall. It will shock you to know that some could not even stand on their feet. One of them was practically carried into the hall as he couldn’t walk. His health condition made many people cry at the event because many couldn’t recognize him when he was brought into the hall. We are talking about popular Nollywood actor, Olukayode Odumosu popularly known as Pa Kasumu. It was gathered that Pa. Kasumu has been battling with a re-occurring illness since 2009. In 2011, the news went viral that he reportedly suffered stroke but he bounced back. As you read this, he is in critical condition. He can’t walk either can he talk clearly. You would be forced to ask if that is really popular Pa. Kasumu we see on screen. He has lost so much weight that people couldn’t control their tears when they saw him. It is no longer news that veteran actor Sadiq Daba is very ill, he is an ace broadcaster and veteran actor who made waves in the 1980s on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). About 2 years ago, Sadiq Daba was diagnosed with leukemia and Prostrate Cancer. He was all over the news when this ailment first hit him. Many Nigerians contributed money for him to pay his hospital bills and get an oxygen machine and while this was on, Femi Otedola also supported him. According to Sadiq, “Femi Otedola, I had never known or seen him in my life. He sent a couple of people to my home and they told me that he said he had been watching me on the screen while he was growing up. He recalled enjoying watching Cockrow at dawn and he wanted to help me. In the process, they arranged for a physiotherapist for me and got me a mobile oxygen converter which I can go out with. They also made available for me a supply of drugs that can help my process in the next year’’. With this support, he has been able to walk around but with 24hrs mobile oxygen, which he was also seen using at the event Foluke Daramola organized for veterans.
Veterans actress, ObiageliMolube who acted the role of mama Nduka in the rested popular soap opera by late Amaka Igwe is battling with a life-threatening ailment. Obiageli is a widow and a mother of five children who has featured in so many flicks and popular movies. She was bedridden for sometime after suffering from multiple strokes and heart-related problems. Although, she is back on her feet but she isn’t very strong. You could tell from the way she walked at the event, that she has not fully recovered. One of the actors that were quite popular in the 80s and 90s is Ojo Arowosafe, he is popularly known as Fadeyi Oloro. He is also very ill. He is known for his roles as a herbalist in movies, especially with his trademark costume. The cause of his ailment hasn’t been made known to the public but a short video of him on the sickbed was released to the internet. Ayo Mogaji Feyikogbon is another veteran that has been able to carve a niche for himself in the movie industry. Feyikogbon was one of the most-watched television series with a wide range of viewers in the Yoruba speaking region back then. One can still remember the great legend, Akanbi Sunday Akinola popularly known as Ayo Mogaji and other characters such as Busari, Awero, Saamu, Ajobiewe, Bimbo, Sanusi and others who entertained millions via the popular series. In spite of the huge acceptance and success of this most-watched TV program, the brain behind it is in a pitiable condition. He was also at the event but not very fit and healthy, maybe that is coupled with the fact that he is old. We can’t help but mention Babatunde Omidina popularly known as Baba Suwe. He is also in a very critical condition. Of course, it was all over the internet when his ailment started and he was supported by many Nigerians but it seems that he is yet to recover as he was sighted at an event organized by a Nollywood actress a few months ago. This event had to do with health and we noticed that he couldn’t walk by himself, he was assisted to the venue. Do you remember a screen character called Charles Olumo or Agbako, can you also recall that he always played a devious character in most movies he was cast in? He clocked 95 this year and he seems to be suffering from an ailment that comes with old age as he looked so lean when he appeared at Foluke Daramola’s event some days ago.
Famous Yoruba actor, Dayo Akinpelu, popularly known as Alabi Yellow has also suffered a partial stroke. It was gathered that the 62 years old actor’s health deteriorated following his wife’s death. The news of the actor’s sickness came as a surprise to many because he featured in Kunle Afolayan’s movie titled MOKALIK and did not show any signs of illness. Over four decades after his debut as a professional actor, the actor is one of the most recognized faces in the Yoruba movie industry.
Award-winning actor, Chief Lari Williams should also be mentioned as he is also ill because he can barely see with his eyes. What about this very handsome actor, Leo Mezie? He is also suffering from Renal failure and he has also raised awareness to get funds for a transplant.
Just as we have many veterans who are critically ill, there are also many who aren’t sick but they have fallen on bad times. We all know that the movie industry is not pensionable which has made it so hard for many of these veterans to survive since most of them no longer get movie roles once they start ageing or slowed down by one ailment or the other. According to one of the veterans, Obiageli Molube, she said ‘’we are like damaged goods’’. She further said, we make people happy, we make childhood fun for many but because we are old, they have abandoned us.” She even added that maybe if she is based abroad and she is very rich, they might not abandon her. Many of these veterans also fall sick due to depression. Producers no longer find them worthy of acting a role for them not because they can’t act that role but because they believe viewers are only interested in young actors believing they are the only ones who can sell their films. By so doing, these veterans become very jobless and this has affected many of them a lot. Should we also add that social media has also affected them a lot as marketers now cast movies based on the activeness of actors on social media. Most young actors now get movie roles based on their followers on Instagram or other social media platforms. This leaves out the old veterans that are not active on Instagram, and others who do not even have an Instagram page, they are left to suffer the consequences of social media in the industry. Some of these great actors who are going through hard times are Chief Olofa Ina, Chief Lere Paimo, Alhaji Kareem Adepoju popularly known as Baba Wande, Chief Peter Fatomilola, Yemi My Lover, Barbara Soky, Iyabo Oko, Samson Oluwole (Irunmulowo), Yetunde Ogunsola Ayoni.
– TOYIN OGUNDIYA
