Baba Sala is Dead: Here’s what you should know about the late Legendary Nollywood Comic Actor as Son Reveals How He Died

Nigerians woke up to reports of the demise of famous movie legend, Baba Sala. While close friendsand colleague in the entertainment industry are grief stricken and send their condolences to the family, here are some information that you may need to know about the late icon.

One of the children of Baba Sala, Emmanuel, has just revealed how the foremost comedian died in his sleep after taking his supper last night.

Emmanuel in a chat with punch disclosed that his father, Moses Adejumo, ate his last meal at around 6pm and took a rest for a while before he went to bed and died in his sleep.

He further disclosed that he was discovered dead by his youngest wife, Funmilayo.

He said, “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 No 1 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.”

Veteran actor, musician, dramatist cum comedian, Baba sala whose real name is Mr. Moses Olaiya Adejumo was brn on May 18, 1936. He hailed from Ijesha, Osun State. As an actor, his stage name is ‘Baba Sala’.

Baba Sala can also be regarded as one of the fathers if not even the grand-father of the modern Nigerian comedians.

He always sings in a spectacular way in all his movies. Hardly you will watch any of his movies without singing in it due to his passion for music.

There were other popular actors and actresses who used to showcase in his film. The likes of Iya Sala and late Adisa (as called in the movies) used to called him ‘Lamidi’. One could not actually say if this Adisa (stage name) was a friend or an apprentice of Baba Sala due to their good relationship.

Karounwi as popularly called in one of Baba Sala’s movie named ‘Orun-mooru’ was a big budget movie recorded on Celluloid which was later pirated into VHS home video then.

The piracy of this film cost Baba Sala a lot of havoc which if not for God and his bravery, could have led to one’s death. Today the pirate of the movie – ‘Orun Mooru’ is no more alive.

Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) was a friend to Late Oyin Adejobi – the creator of “Ile Iwosan” a Yoruba home movies series aired on the then Television Station Of Oyo State (TSOS) later changed to Broadcasting Corporation Of Oyo State (because).

He was also an actor alongside a father of actors (especiall Yoruba genre) Hubert Ogunde, the producer and owner of the then ‘Aye’, ‘Jaiyesimi’. Hubert Ogunde, apart from the fact that he was an actor, he was also a musician.

He composed and sang ‘Onimoto rora sare o, Onimoto rora gbesele….’. He also sang ‘Yoruba yo yo yo bi Ina ale, Yoruba ru ru ru bi omi okun, Yoruba baba ni baba nse’ and lots more.

Baba Sala was also a friend to Kola Ogunmola – the father of Peju Ogunmola also known as Peju Omobolanle (Pa Aluwe’s wife) and late Ayo Ogunmola (of blessed memory, a film producer and film director during his life time). Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) was also a friend of late Duro Ladipo, the producer of ‘Sango’ (of that time), ‘Oruka ife’ and others.

Late Ishola Ogunsola (of blessed memory) popularly known as Isho-Peppe was also an actor alongside Baba Sala. Lere Paimo (still alive) and lots more.

A movie produced for TV station by Baba Sala is ‘Obe gbona’ out of many and the movies for cinema are ‘Aare Agbaye’, ‘Orun Mooru’, ‘Mosebolatan’. Mosebolatan was a film produced after the pirated ‘Orun Mooru’ where he showcased the late magician – Professor Peller.

For many people who do not know, Baba Sala started his career as show business as a musician of ‘High life’ as far back as 1964 under a brand name of a band known as ‘Federal Rhythm Dandies’.

Through this band, he tutored and guided the master and the King of Juju music(ians) – Prince Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA) who played the role of ‘Lead Guitar’ in Baba Sala’s music band.

Baba Sala was married and gave birth to children. He was also a grand father. Among his children are Emmanuel Adejumo, Adedamola Adejumo – the producer of evergreen song ‘Oluwa mi mohun ti o se, Jesu mi mo’hun ti yo se….’