… His condition has stabilised – UCH
From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
Three months after he celebrated his 80th birthday, father of Nigerian comedy, Pa Moses Adejumo Olaiya, popularly known as ‘Baba Sala’ was on Monday night rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) over his deteriorating health.
Checks by Daily Sun revealed that the prolific actor and filmmaker had been ill for the past few weeks, but his health suddenly got worse two days ago. He was rushed from his residence in Ilesha, a community in Osun State, to UCH for medical attention.
The Yoruba comedy pioneer, who is well known for his trademark ‘comedic goggles’ and very big ties, joined the league of octogenarians on May 18, 2015. He is regarded as the father of modern Nigerian comedy along with other dramatists like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi and Duro Ladipo. They popularised theatre and television acting in the country.
Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations Unit of UCH, Mr. Deji Bobade, told Daily Sun on telephone yesterday afternoon that Baba Sala was still alive, saying his condition had stabilised.
According to him, Baba Sala took his lunch in his presence yesterday afternoon.
“Yes, he was rushed to this hospital on Monday night but he has stabilised. I just left his ward about 10 minutes ago. He took his lunch when I was in the ward, where he’s admitted. Baba is healthy and there is nothing wrong with him for now. He is still alive. But the hospital is yet to discharge him,” Bobade said.
When Daily Sun requested to know the nature of Baba Sala’s illness? Bobade parried the question and simply responded: “I won’t tell you. But he is an old man of over 80 years. So, his illness is age-related.”
Baba Sala, who began his career in show business as a highlife musician, led a group known as Federal Rhythm Dandies, which also featured Nigeria’s juju musician, Otunba Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade, as lead guitarist.
Checks further revealed that the works of Baba Sala include Orun Mooru in 1982, Aare Agbaye in 1983, Mosebolatan in 1985, Agba Man in 1992 as home video, Return Match in 1993 as home video and Tokunbo in 1985 on television.