By Priscilla Osaje, Abuja,/Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju, Ibadan

Nov. 22, 2021

Nigerian Veteran comic actor, Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, has passed away at the  age of 63, after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

The son of the legend, Mr Adesola Omidina, while confirming the sad news, took to his Instagram page @omo_omidina, to announce his death to his fans and well wishers.

According to him, his father who was a prolific Nigerian actor gave up the ghost on Monday, Nov. 22.

“This is to announce the sudden death of my father, Mr. Babatunde Omidina. The legend and rare gem “Baba Suwe “ died on 11/22/21.

“Other details will follow shortly! May your soul rest in perfect peace Dad. Signed: Adesola Omidina 11/22/21,” he wrote.

Baba Suwe 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.

Baba Suwe had also 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.

The comic actor, who was born on August 22, 1958, was married to comedienne Omoladun Omidina, who died in September 2009.

Baba Suwe dominated the Yoruba movie industry for decades, featured in several movies, and won several awards.

Meanwhile, the Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) on Monday expressed shock over the death of the iconic actor.

Damola Olatunji, the National Chairman, TAMPAN Guild of Directors, in a telephone interview in Ibadan, said that the vacuum created by Baba Suwe’s death would be difficult to fill.

Olatunji said: “Who are we to question God? He was one of the greatest actors that ever lived             .

“He started his comedy in Nigeria with his “Awada Kerikeri in those days.

“He was the king of comedy. He was able to put smiles on our faces through his craft.

“My sincere condolence to the Omidina family.

“We, at the TAMPAN Guild of Directors, sympathise with his entire family and pray to God to be with them in this trying time,” he said.

Also, Toyin Adegbola, popularly known as “Asewo To Re Mecca”, said that the death of “Baba Suwe” was sudden and least expected.

Adegbola told NAN that though, he has been sick for some time, his death still came unexpected.

“He has been sick, but I learnt that he was getting better. When one has been sick for a long time, coming out hale and hearty, is by God’s Grace.

“The death of his wife was the genesis of his illness.

“After the death of his wife, many people promised to assist him, which they did not redeem and that’s typical of Nigerians,” she said.

Adegbola said that the late actor was very pleasant and jovial to work with.

“I enjoyed working with him, because he was easy to work with.

“Apart from being on stage, he always aimed at making people happy. He was keen about making everything comfortable,” she said.

NAN reports that “Baba Suwe” died at the age of 63.

TAMPAN National President, Bolaji Amusan, had earlier confirmed the death of the actor, saying: “Yes, we lost Baba Suwe to the cold hands of death, it is unfortunate”.