Nigeria’s foremost comedian, Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala, is dead. He was 81.
Baba Sala 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.
His media assistant, Mr. Isaac Hastrup, confirmed the death of the ace comedian to our correspondent on the telephone on Monday morning.
Hastrup said, “Baba has died. He died some minutes to 10 pm on Sunday night. His remains had been taken to the morgue. He died of old-age related sickness.
“He came to church two Sundays ago and he was the one that said the benediction. Baba has gone to be with the Lord and he will be missed by many people including his fans.”
135
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has expressed profound sadness over the death of Mr. Moses Adejumo, 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 trailblazer, 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 labor 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.
