Two of the children of the late veteran
actor, Olumide Bakare, Mayowa and Oluwatofunmi, tell OLUFEMI ATOYEBI
about their father’s life off the klieg lights.
actor, Olumide Bakare, Mayowa and Oluwatofunmi, tell OLUFEMI ATOYEBI
about their father’s life off the klieg lights.
What kind of a man was Olumide Bakare?
Mayowa: My father was a
gentleman, a friend to his children, father to many children in the
community, wonderful adviser to many people and highly generous. He did
not discriminate and he was God fearing.
gentleman, a friend to his children, father to many children in the
community, wonderful adviser to many people and highly generous. He did
not discriminate and he was God fearing.
Oluwatofunmi: He was a
rare kind of parent. He was the only parent I know that would call you
to say he was sorry after an argument. He apologised to people a lot. He
was nice to everybody and not only to his children. He was a loving
father who played his role with real passion.
rare kind of parent. He was the only parent I know that would call you
to say he was sorry after an argument. He apologised to people a lot. He
was nice to everybody and not only to his children. He was a loving
father who played his role with real passion.
Outside being a family man, what can you say about him as an actor?
Mayowa: I was born
while he was acting. For many years, he worked with the Nigerian
Television Authority in multiple capacities. For about seven years, he
played the role of Father Christmas every Christmas period. I watched
Father Christmas show free with my siblings for all those years because
he was the man behind the Santa suit. At the time, Christmas carol was
our ticket to the show. One must know how to sing Christmas carol before
he would allow you to visit Father Christmas and receive gifts. At
home, we learnt Christmas carol because we always wanted to be at the
show. Another thing was that we must watch the NTA Network News and
summarise what we heard to him. One dared not miss the news.
while he was acting. For many years, he worked with the Nigerian
Television Authority in multiple capacities. For about seven years, he
played the role of Father Christmas every Christmas period. I watched
Father Christmas show free with my siblings for all those years because
he was the man behind the Santa suit. At the time, Christmas carol was
our ticket to the show. One must know how to sing Christmas carol before
he would allow you to visit Father Christmas and receive gifts. At
home, we learnt Christmas carol because we always wanted to be at the
show. Another thing was that we must watch the NTA Network News and
summarise what we heard to him. One dared not miss the news.
He also played the lead role in Koko
Close drama series on NTA which became a household name among viewers in
the South-West throughout the 1980s. I also remember another drama
series he featured in prominently, it was called Akpan Men. I never said
him doing anything in his life except acting.
Close drama series on NTA which became a household name among viewers in
the South-West throughout the 1980s. I also remember another drama
series he featured in prominently, it was called Akpan Men. I never said
him doing anything in his life except acting.
What prominence did he place on his children’s education?
Mayowa: I must thank
him for making sure that all his children had the best education he
could afford. He sacrificed his comfort to train us. He was always
telling us that without education, it would be difficult to be someone
in life.
him for making sure that all his children had the best education he
could afford. He sacrificed his comfort to train us. He was always
telling us that without education, it would be difficult to be someone
in life.
There was a time our driver took me to
school, St Catherine Primary School at Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State,
around 7am many years ago. As I walked towards my classroom, I looked up
and saw my father with the school headmaster. I was shocked because I
thought I left him at home. I thought to myself “what is this man doing
here with my school headmaster?” I thought I had done something bad and
probably he had come to report me to the school headmaster.
school, St Catherine Primary School at Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State,
around 7am many years ago. As I walked towards my classroom, I looked up
and saw my father with the school headmaster. I was shocked because I
thought I left him at home. I thought to myself “what is this man doing
here with my school headmaster?” I thought I had done something bad and
probably he had come to report me to the school headmaster.
When I was at The Polytechnic, Ibadan,
he did the same thing to me. I lived outside the campus in Bodija area.
One day, around 6am, he came to my house with food but I was not at
home. He then picked up my classmate and together they drove to the
school. When he got to the school, he was told that I had left for a
friend house. Again, he picked up one of my classmates and together they
drove to my friend’s house.
he did the same thing to me. I lived outside the campus in Bodija area.
One day, around 6am, he came to my house with food but I was not at
home. He then picked up my classmate and together they drove to the
school. When he got to the school, he was told that I had left for a
friend house. Again, he picked up one of my classmates and together they
drove to my friend’s house.
Unfortunately, he arrived at the place
as I left. Again, he picked my friend who owned the apartment and
together they drove back to my flat in Bodija. This time, I was lucky.
He got there just as I was walking down to home.
as I left. Again, he picked my friend who owned the apartment and
together they drove back to my flat in Bodija. This time, I was lucky.
He got there just as I was walking down to home.
When he saw me, he was upset because he
did not meet me at home when he came in the morning. He said that if I
was not interested in staying at the apartment, I should go back to our
house. He packed all my clothes and said he was taking me home. I was
afraid to say anything so I entered the car.
did not meet me at home when he came in the morning. He said that if I
was not interested in staying at the apartment, I should go back to our
house. He packed all my clothes and said he was taking me home. I was
afraid to say anything so I entered the car.
After a few kilometres, the driver
appealed on my behalf. He said since I only visited my friend because of
an assignment, he should allow me to stay at the Bodija apartment.
After several persuasions, he agreed to let me stay there but warned me
that I should stop visiting friends. He said if there was any assignment
we had to do together, they should come to my apartment.
appealed on my behalf. He said since I only visited my friend because of
an assignment, he should allow me to stay at the Bodija apartment.
After several persuasions, he agreed to let me stay there but warned me
that I should stop visiting friends. He said if there was any assignment
we had to do together, they should come to my apartment.
He did this so that I would know that he
was not only interested in paying my tuition and accommodation fees but
also in knowing what I was doing and how I was fairing in my study.
was not only interested in paying my tuition and accommodation fees but
also in knowing what I was doing and how I was fairing in my study.
Oluwatofunmi: I had a
similar experience when I was preparing for an entrance examination into
the university at the Education Advancement Centre at Bodija, Ibadan. I
did not want my friends to know that I am the daughter of Olumide
Bakare. One day, he offered to drop me at the school but before we got
to the gate, I told the driver to stop for me somewhere before the gate
but my father did not like the idea. He said he suspected that I was not
going to the school and that was why I wanted to alight before the
school gate.
similar experience when I was preparing for an entrance examination into
the university at the Education Advancement Centre at Bodija, Ibadan. I
did not want my friends to know that I am the daughter of Olumide
Bakare. One day, he offered to drop me at the school but before we got
to the gate, I told the driver to stop for me somewhere before the gate
but my father did not like the idea. He said he suspected that I was not
going to the school and that was why I wanted to alight before the
school gate.
He told the driver to drive straight to
the school and park at the parking lot. He followed me into the
classroom and spoke with my mathematics teacher, the school owner and
even my friends. He asked them questions about me. I was embarrassed
because all the candidates focused on me while the drama lasted. He then
told me that he was now convinced that I was going to school regularly.
the school and park at the parking lot. He followed me into the
classroom and spoke with my mathematics teacher, the school owner and
even my friends. He asked them questions about me. I was embarrassed
because all the candidates focused on me while the drama lasted. He then
told me that he was now convinced that I was going to school regularly.
How religious was he?
Mayowa: He lived the
life of a Christian. I never saw him calling on other names than the
name of God and Jesus Christ. He was blunt and fearless when it came to
addressing issues. When he was wrong, he would apologise. He hated lying
about who he was.
life of a Christian. I never saw him calling on other names than the
name of God and Jesus Christ. He was blunt and fearless when it came to
addressing issues. When he was wrong, he would apologise. He hated lying
about who he was.
If my father did something wrong and
that thing affected someone, he would call that person and tell him what
he had done and he would honestly apologise. Those who do that are rare
but my father did that a lot. He loved to clear his conscience so that
he could always move on. My father used to tell us to fear God in
everything we do and it’s working for me.
that thing affected someone, he would call that person and tell him what
he had done and he would honestly apologise. Those who do that are rare
but my father did that a lot. He loved to clear his conscience so that
he could always move on. My father used to tell us to fear God in
everything we do and it’s working for me.
Before he died, my father preached to
the people in public. About a month ago, my father would wake up early
in the morning and preach to the people in our area from the balcony of
the top floor of our house. He told them to believe in God or risk going
to hell. He told the people that they should not see him as the same
person they had known but that God asked him to tell them what he was
saying. People laughed over it and said that was Olumide Bakare acting.
the people in public. About a month ago, my father would wake up early
in the morning and preach to the people in our area from the balcony of
the top floor of our house. He told them to believe in God or risk going
to hell. He told the people that they should not see him as the same
person they had known but that God asked him to tell them what he was
saying. People laughed over it and said that was Olumide Bakare acting.
I look back at some moments in his life
and find it difficult that he was gone forever. I still can’t believe he
is dead. A number of things made his demise difficult for us to bear.
One of them is that his mother is still alive. He loved his mother.
and find it difficult that he was gone forever. I still can’t believe he
is dead. A number of things made his demise difficult for us to bear.
One of them is that his mother is still alive. He loved his mother.
Oluwatofunmi: I
realised that before he died, he became closer to God. Whenever I called
him and told him that I had a bad dream, he would calm me down and told
me that he would go and see his pastor immediately.
realised that before he died, he became closer to God. Whenever I called
him and told him that I had a bad dream, he would calm me down and told
me that he would go and see his pastor immediately.
Does being his children put pressure on you?
Mayowa: I have never
been under any pressure because it’s a thing of pride that he is my
father. I grew up around him and my nickname is Koko. That is what
people call me till today and that was taken from the NTA drama series,
Koko Close.
been under any pressure because it’s a thing of pride that he is my
father. I grew up around him and my nickname is Koko. That is what
people call me till today and that was taken from the NTA drama series,
Koko Close.
We have a lot of things in common. Through him, I met a lot of celebrities, politicians and many others.
Oluwatofunmi: I do not
like to live a celebrity life; that is why I don’t want people to know
that I am the daughter of a star actor. They ask a lot of questions
about his character on stage that I cannot answer. I do not like the
attention at all. My brother enjoys that a lot.
like to live a celebrity life; that is why I don’t want people to know
that I am the daughter of a star actor. They ask a lot of questions
about his character on stage that I cannot answer. I do not like the
attention at all. My brother enjoys that a lot.
Would you say that his name opens doors for you?
Mayowa: It always opens
doors for me. When I was working in the entertainment industry, I
worked with DJ T Films and Productions. Because the owner is my father’s
friend, he would tell people proudly that I am a son of his friend,
Chief Koko. He called my father, Chief Koko.
doors for me. When I was working in the entertainment industry, I
worked with DJ T Films and Productions. Because the owner is my father’s
friend, he would tell people proudly that I am a son of his friend,
Chief Koko. He called my father, Chief Koko.
When we went to shoot films on location,
he would tell actors and actresses that I am Olumide Bakare’s son. The
name is still working for me.
he would tell actors and actresses that I am Olumide Bakare’s son. The
name is still working for me.
When my brother was going to the US, my
father was with him. When he told some airport workers that his son was
travelling, they broke protocol and accorded him VIP treatment.
father was with him. When he told some airport workers that his son was
travelling, they broke protocol and accorded him VIP treatment.
The last time my father travelled before
his death, I was not with him at the airport but people took his
photographs and posted them on social media. I received many calls from
people who wanted to know one thing or the other about the trip and the
pictures.
his death, I was not with him at the airport but people took his
photographs and posted them on social media. I received many calls from
people who wanted to know one thing or the other about the trip and the
pictures.
Oluwatofunmi: Like I
said, I don’t like telling people who I am. Two years ago, I posted his
picture on social media when he had his birthday and people who did not
know my relationship with him started asking me questions. But
sincerely, the name opens doors for me when people realise that I am
Olumide Bakare’s daughter. I was at Yaba College of Technology with him
some years ago for an examination. Immediately they saw him with me,
they accorded me VIP treatment.
said, I don’t like telling people who I am. Two years ago, I posted his
picture on social media when he had his birthday and people who did not
know my relationship with him started asking me questions. But
sincerely, the name opens doors for me when people realise that I am
Olumide Bakare’s daughter. I was at Yaba College of Technology with him
some years ago for an examination. Immediately they saw him with me,
they accorded me VIP treatment.
What was his response when you introduced your spouse to him for the first time?
Mayowa: He was excited
at the prospect of me getting married but joked over the meeting and
asked why my wife had to choose me when there were millions of good men
in town.
at the prospect of me getting married but joked over the meeting and
asked why my wife had to choose me when there were millions of good men
in town.
Oluwatofunmi: I am not
married yet but often, he would ask me who my boyfriend was. He would
joke that with my stature, someone must be going after me. I would just
laugh over it. Then he would joke that if no one was going after me at
this age, he would have to go and pray over it. That is how extremely
funny he could be at home.
married yet but often, he would ask me who my boyfriend was. He would
joke that with my stature, someone must be going after me. I would just
laugh over it. Then he would joke that if no one was going after me at
this age, he would have to go and pray over it. That is how extremely
funny he could be at home.
Where were you when he died and how did you react to the news?
Mayowa: I was in my
house in Lagos. I worked late and was sleeping when my mobile telephone
rang. My wife called me to pick the call but I was too tired to stand
up. Then the telephone stopped ringing. Around 3.30am, the telephone
rang again. I picked it and saw that it was Uncle Gbenga, my father’s
closest friend. He told me that my father had died.
house in Lagos. I worked late and was sleeping when my mobile telephone
rang. My wife called me to pick the call but I was too tired to stand
up. Then the telephone stopped ringing. Around 3.30am, the telephone
rang again. I picked it and saw that it was Uncle Gbenga, my father’s
closest friend. He told me that my father had died.
I asked him what he had said and he
repeated the message. I quickly did a flashback of our meetings. Then I
took my bathe and left Lagos early in the morning. I could not drive. I
boarded a public transport. I was able to shed all the tears on the
road.
repeated the message. I quickly did a flashback of our meetings. Then I
took my bathe and left Lagos early in the morning. I could not drive. I
boarded a public transport. I was able to shed all the tears on the
road.
At home, the atmosphere was cold. People
started asking me what the next action would be. I tried to pull myself
together. By 6.30am, the compound was filed with cars and people who
came to pay condolences. My sister came in later and together we did
what we needed to do.
started asking me what the next action would be. I tried to pull myself
together. By 6.30am, the compound was filed with cars and people who
came to pay condolences. My sister came in later and together we did
what we needed to do.
Oluwatofunmi: I woke up
from a bad dream early that Saturday morning, then my mobile telephone
rang and I saw that it was a call from my father’s phone line. I did not
pick it because I thought I might have done something wrong for him to
have called me early in the morning. After a while, my telephone rang
again and this time, it was from Uncle Gbenga. He asked after my mother
and told me that my father had died. I screamed and called my brother
but he did not pick the call.
from a bad dream early that Saturday morning, then my mobile telephone
rang and I saw that it was a call from my father’s phone line. I did not
pick it because I thought I might have done something wrong for him to
have called me early in the morning. After a while, my telephone rang
again and this time, it was from Uncle Gbenga. He asked after my mother
and told me that my father had died. I screamed and called my brother
but he did not pick the call.
A lot of stories were going
around about the cause of his death. He was discharged from the
University College Hospital after receiving treatment in February. Did
he suffer a relapse?
around about the cause of his death. He was discharged from the
University College Hospital after receiving treatment in February. Did
he suffer a relapse?
Mayowa: I visited him
in Ibadan three weeks before his death and my wife spoke with him three
days before he died. My mother spoke to him the night he died. On that
same night, many people heard him speaking and he did not show a sign of
suffering from a relapse.
in Ibadan three weeks before his death and my wife spoke with him three
days before he died. My mother spoke to him the night he died. On that
same night, many people heard him speaking and he did not show a sign of
suffering from a relapse.
He woke up around 1 am and came to the
living room. He called the domestic staff to prepare food for him
because he was hungry. The house help was still in the kitchen when he
heard a sound. When he came to the living room, my father was gasping
for breath. He called people for help. Uncle Gbenga who lived around
also came and they tried to take him to the hospital but it was too
late. He had gone.
living room. He called the domestic staff to prepare food for him
because he was hungry. The house help was still in the kitchen when he
heard a sound. When he came to the living room, my father was gasping
for breath. He called people for help. Uncle Gbenga who lived around
also came and they tried to take him to the hospital but it was too
late. He had gone.
Oluwatofunmi: He had
been sick for a while and the kind of sickness does not just go away
easily. He was being treated and was fine. What we heard was that three
days before he died, he was not eating properly.
been sick for a while and the kind of sickness does not just go away
easily. He was being treated and was fine. What we heard was that three
days before he died, he was not eating properly.
Which of his film excites you most?
Mayowa: I always call him Omo Obatala because of the role he played in Oduduwa. That is the movie that excites me most. It is so real. I still want to see it. But apart from that, I also love his role in Maami where he used seven bottles of perfume in one of the scenes. I also love Koko Close as a drama
Oluwatofunmi: I love the Oduduwa film too. It’s my favourite.
Have you ever thought of following in his footsteps?
Mayowa: I have acted in a few movies but not a major role. I acted in Osunfunke but it’s yet to be released.
Oluwatofunmi: I am a student and not an actor.
Your father played some
controversial roles in some movies. Are there real life attitudes that
corresponded with his attitude as an actor?
controversial roles in some movies. Are there real life attitudes that
corresponded with his attitude as an actor?
Mayowa: He would do
what he had to do as an actor but he was different as a person. However,
his loud voice in the films was exactly what he was in real life.
what he had to do as an actor but he was different as a person. However,
his loud voice in the films was exactly what he was in real life.
Oluwatofunmi: He was as
emotional in real life as he was as an actor. When he was sick and
admitted at the UCH, he cried when people visited him. It was a
different kind of attention he was not used to.
emotional in real life as he was as an actor. When he was sick and
admitted at the UCH, he cried when people visited him. It was a
different kind of attention he was not used to.
How did he discipline you when you offended?
Mayowa: He was a disciplinarian. He would not tolerate nonsense from any of his children. We would never test his anger.
Oluwatofunmi: There was
a day he met me at home when I should be in school. He beat me and sent
me to the school. That showed how intolerant he was to unacceptable
practices and behaviour.
a day he met me at home when I should be in school. He beat me and sent
me to the school. That showed how intolerant he was to unacceptable
practices and behaviour.
Did he create time to play with the family?
Mayowa: He did that a
lot. On his way from film locations, he would buy bush meat and all
sorts of food stuff to cook for us at home. He loved cooking for the
family and I took that from him and turned it to a job. I am caterer by
profession today.
lot. On his way from film locations, he would buy bush meat and all
sorts of food stuff to cook for us at home. He loved cooking for the
family and I took that from him and turned it to a job. I am caterer by
profession today.
Oluwatofunmi: My father would never let you cook for him. If you do it for him, he would not appreciate it like the one he cooked.
What other things did he love doing at home?
Mayowa: He loved
playing with kids in the neighbourhood. They were his best friends. He
would call one and give him money to go and buy biscuit. By the time he
returned, he would come with more kids and they would start playing.
playing with kids in the neighbourhood. They were his best friends. He
would call one and give him money to go and buy biscuit. By the time he
returned, he would come with more kids and they would start playing.
Oluwatofunmi: He liked
joking with serious issues. If you are not his child and you called him
father, he would tell you he knows his children. He preferred people
calling him Chief Koko or uncle instead of father. He had no secret too.
Whatever he said behind you, he would repeat it in your presence.
joking with serious issues. If you are not his child and you called him
father, he would tell you he knows his children. He preferred people
calling him Chief Koko or uncle instead of father. He had no secret too.
Whatever he said behind you, he would repeat it in your presence.
Some people commented that your father liked women. How true is this?
Mayowa: People say what
they like on the social media but what I know is that my father was a
lucky man. I know what it takes to be famous and successful. Some of the
comments are laughable. Some even said he was having surgery when he
died.
they like on the social media but what I know is that my father was a
lucky man. I know what it takes to be famous and successful. Some of the
comments are laughable. Some even said he was having surgery when he
died.
Oluwatofunmi: I read a
few of such comments on social media. But people should put themselves
in our shoes. Our father just died and people were posting falsehood
about him almost immediately. Someone even said his last girlfriend was
under 20 years old but I laughed it off.
few of such comments on social media. But people should put themselves
in our shoes. Our father just died and people were posting falsehood
about him almost immediately. Someone even said his last girlfriend was
under 20 years old but I laughed it off.
What was his favourite food?
Mayowa: He liked efo riro (vegetable) a lot. He would buy different kinds of vegetables and cooked them by himself.
Oluwatofunmi: He liked vegetable with rice. He liked them with a lot of meat cut into pieces. He hated big meat on his food.