Adebayo Salami, ace Yoruba actor, loses mum

Adebayo Salami, the ace Nigerian actor popular in the Yoruba movie industry, has mourned the demise of Aishat Ayoka Abdulkareem, his mum.

The 68-year-old film director took to his Instagram page in the early hours of Tuesday to announce the death of his mother.

“From Allah we all came, To Him we shall all return,” he wrote alongside a photo of the deceased woman.

“It is with a heart of thanksgiving and calm reflection that I announce the passing away of my most beloved mother. She was called to glory few hours ago.”

The Yoruba actor also disclosed that she will be buried today by 2 pm at their family’s house in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

“Details of Fidau shall be communicated later. Please put my late mother and the family in your prayers at this period. May Allah grant my precious jewel Aljannah Firdaos. Sleep well my mother, Alhaja Aishat Ayoka AbdulKareem,” he added.

Adebayo, who started acting in 1964, had told TheCable Lifestyle how his parents were not in support of his career in the film industry.

“In those days, no parent would allow their child become an actor because they didn’t see any prospects in it. The common dream of parents was for their children to become doctors, lawyers or engineers so naturally, my parents refused,” he had said.

“Let me say God directed me to remain adamant about acting. In fact, I ran away from the house and I was living with a friend in the church so I could continue acting. My parents found me after seven months.”

Oga Bello, as he is fondly called, had also explained why he doesn’t get roles in English-speaking movies.

“They do not invite me to feature in English movies and I cannot lobby for it. Maybe they feel that my spoken English is not up to standard; I do not know honestly,” he had said.

Bello got married in 1975, and his children — including Femi Adebayo, Tope Adebayo — have continued to prosper in the movie industry.