Veteran Yoruba actor, Ahmed Oduola, popularly called Dento breathed
his last on Monday after a prolonged battle with illness.
His remains were on Tuesday committed to mother earth in Owode Academy
area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Governor of the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian
Theatre Arts Practitioners, Mr. Ayo Olabiyi, confirmed that the
58-year-old Dento died on Monday.
Olabiyi said, " Being a muslim, we buried him on Tuesday according to
Islamic rites. We have lost a gem. It is clear that the vacuum his
death created would be difficult to fill. In the ANTP Ibadan and
national level, we will sorely miss him."
It was learnt that members of the state ANTP at the burial eulogised
his acting style, even as emotion ran high due to how death painfully
eclipsed his career.
A popular comedian, Mr. Bolaji Amusan, otherwise called Mr. Latin,
described the decased as a senior colleague. He said his death showed
that an individual would be left alone to carry his cross whenever
problems arose.
"Death is inevitable. His death has shown that nobody will be willing
to assist you when you are in problem. You will be on your own,'' he
said.
An independent journalist, who played a key role in creating awareness
for the late dramatist's situation, Mr. David Ajiboye, expressed
sadness over his demise.
He said though death was a necessary end, his state before his demise
was worrisome.
Also, Executive Producer of Bon Awards, Mr. Seun Oloketuyi, said he
was saddened by the demise of the talented actor.
"I am sad that a man with so much talent spent his last days in so
much pain; sad that despite the success of Nollywood, there is no good
insurance scheme," Oloketuyi said.
Dento, who was a fine actor, built a considerable fan base through his
versatility in switching from one role to the other.
His greatest asset however lay in his sense of humour that
distinguished him as an actor for comic roles.
It was said that Dento was down with stroke which resulted in
paralysis on his right side.
Unfortunately, laughter has fled the mouth of the man who created so
much laughter for millions of people.
Two months ago, The PUNCH did stories on him, highlighting that he was
battling with an ailment that was threatening his life.
His condition, it was learnt then, was so bad that besides being off
stage for about five years, he was unfit to practise tailoring, his
first job to which he returned not long ago.
His family sources in Ibadan said then that he needed N250,000 to
return to normal life.
Many well-meaning Nigerians responded to the call to come to the aid
of the then ailing veteran actor, Dento
Veteran Yoruba actor, Ahmed Oduola, popularly called Dento breathed
his last on Monday after a prolonged battle with illness.
His remains were on Tuesday committed to mother earth in Owode Academy
area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Governor of the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian
Theatre Arts Practitioners, Mr. Ayo Olabiyi, confirmed that the
58-year-old Dento died on Monday.
Olabiyi said, " Being a muslim, we buried him on Tuesday according to
Islamic rites. We have lost a gem. It is clear that the vacuum his
death created would be difficult to fill. In the ANTP Ibadan and
national level, we will sorely miss him."
It was learnt that members of the state ANTP at the burial eulogised
his acting style, even as emotion ran high due to how death painfully
eclipsed his career.
A popular comedian, Mr. Bolaji Amusan, otherwise called Mr. Latin,
described the decased as a senior colleague. He said his death showed
that an individual would be left alone to carry his cross whenever
problems arose.
"Death is inevitable. His death has shown that nobody will be willing
to assist you when you are in problem. You will be on your own,'' he
said.
An independent journalist, who played a key role in creating awareness
for the late dramatist's situation, Mr. David Ajiboye, expressed
sadness over his demise.
He said though death was a necessary end, his state before his demise
was worrisome.
Also, Executive Producer of Bon Awards, Mr. Seun Oloketuyi, said he
was saddened by the demise of the talented actor.
"I am sad that a man with so much talent spent his last days in so
much pain; sad that despite the success of Nollywood, there is no good
insurance scheme," Oloketuyi said.
Dento, who was a fine actor, built a considerable fan base through his
versatility in switching from one role to the other.
His greatest asset however lay in his sense of humour that
distinguished him as an actor for comic roles.
It was said that Dento was down with stroke which resulted in
paralysis on his right side.
Unfortunately, laughter has fled the mouth of the man who created so
much laughter for millions of people.
Two months ago, The PUNCH did stories on him, highlighting that he was
battling with an ailment that was threatening his life.
His condition, it was learnt then, was so bad that besides being off
stage for about five years, he was unfit to practise tailoring, his
first job to which he returned not long ago.
His family sources in Ibadan said then that he needed N250,000 to
return to normal life.
Many well-meaning Nigerians responded to the call to come to the aid
of the then ailing veteran actor, Dento
No comments:
Post a Comment