Adebayo Salami, others honour Baba Sala at book presentation

Friends and well wishers, on Thursday, gathered in Lagos at the public presentation of Triumph of Destiny, a biography of Nigerian comedy icon, Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala.

The book, according to the authors, Kunle Ajayi, Babatunde Akinola and Collins Oyedokun, was written to document the life and achievements of the actor over four decades.

The actor, who was absent at the event, was represented by his son, Rev. Dele Adejumo.

Adejumo, who spoke on behalf of the family , thanked the organisers, Precision Edge Limited, for the support shown his father.

He said the family had lined up activities to honour the comedic actor while he is still alive.

Adejumo said, “My father is alive and we appreciate all efforts to support him.”

Veteran actor and a close associate of Bala Sala, Chief. Adebayo Salami, urged his colleagues to rally round him (Baba Sala), saying this was the time he needed the industry’s support the most.

Salami said, “I have mixed feelings today because we are celebrating an icon while he is alive, but I would prefer if this event was well attended by players in the sector. Even those who didn’t know him personally have come to honour him today. I thank God because there was a time that Nigerians did not want to identify with artists and theatre practitioners, but the story has changed today.”

The Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Ondo State Government, Dr.Oladoyin Odebowale, who reviewed the book, urged governments and other stakeholders to pay attention to the needs of aging icons.

Odebowale said, “That Baba Sala is not at this programme is a failure of the system, and we must continue to put the welfare of our legends into plans.”

The Chief Launcher and the Onijimo of Ijumo-Jesa, Osun State, Kabiyesi Jacob Esan, said the book should serve as a resource for theatre and arts students in the nation’s universities.

He noted that more should be done by theatre practitioners and academics to document Baba Sala’s works in his lifetime.

source: Punch