Popular comic actor, Babatunde Omidina fondly referred to as Baba Suwe is dead.
The comic actor who dominated the Yoruba movie industry for decades as an actor and producer died today November 22nd after a battle with an undisclosed illness.
Confirming his death, Mr Latin, the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria, in a chat with PUNCH said “It has been confirmed that Baba Suwe is dead. I just got off the phone with his son who confirmed that the actor is dead. I don’t have much details about his death.”
Kemi Filani recalls that a few months ago, a video of Nollywood actor, Baba Suwe shedding hot uncontrollable tears after Yomi Fabiyi did the unexpected to him on his birthday today, surfaced on social media.
In the video, the comic actor who was obviously caught on aware with some birthday serenade, could not hide his emotions and decided to shed tears of joy.
News of Baba Suwe’s worsening health condition came to light in February.
Baba Suwe back then confirmed his health challenges in a interview where he lamented the worsening state of his health.
He confirmed that he was walking with the aid of a stick.
Baba Suwe was subsequently admitted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The admission was facilitated by the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) with the assistance of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Baba Suwe was born on August 22, 1958 in Inabere Street in Lagos Island where he grew up but hails from Ikorodu local government area of Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria.
Omidina had his primary education at Jamaitul Islamial Primary School in Lagos and Children Boarding School, Osogbo before he proceeded to Adekanbi Commercial High School in Mile 12, Lagos state but obtained the West African School Certificate from Ifeoluwa Grammar School in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State,
Omidina began acting in 1971 but came into limelight after he featured in a movie titled, Omolasan, a film produced by Obalende.He became more popular after he featured in Iru Esin, produced by Olaiya Igwe in 1997.He had featured and produced several Nigerian movies such as Baba Jaiye jaiye, a movie that featured Funke Akindele and Femi Adebayo, the son of the veteran actor Adebayo Salami.In 2011, he was accused of cocaine trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, an allegation that was described as false and defamatory by the ruling of the lagos high court of law.
His solicitor was the late Bamidele Aturu, a Nigerian lawyer and human right activist.
