Veteran Yoruba actor, Babatunde Omidina, is dead.
The legendary comedian, who is better known as Baba Suwe, died on Monday at 63.
Baba Suwe’s death was announced by one of his daughters, Adesola Omidina.
She said: “This is to announce the sudden death of my father, Babatunde Omidina, the legend and rare gem, Baba Suwe. Details and other arrangements will be announced shortly.”
Baba Suwe became popular for his comical roles in Nollywood films in the Yoruba language.
RELATED
CAPPA appeals to Nollywood stars, celebrities to quit smoking
He suffered poor health in 2018, making several Nigerians including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to donate funds for his medical treatment abroad.
In 2011, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested him after its scanner at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport indicated that he was carrying drugs. After keeping Baba Suwe for weeks in its facility and giving him laxatives to excrete the drugs, no drugs came out. His lawyer at the time, Bamidele Aturu, also late, had approached a Lagos High Court to compel the NDLEA to release the actor after he had excreted 15 times without any trace of drugs in his stool.
The court later ordered his release and awarded him N25 million as compensation.
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.
Baba Suwe 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.
