By Uche Amunike
Veteran Yoruba actor, John Adewunmi, popularly known as Tafa Oloyede, age confirmed to be 69, died Tuesday, after a brief illness at his residence at Arowomole, Kajola area of Oshogbo.
His death was confirmed by the General Secretary, Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN, Osun branch, Mr Ademola Oyedokun.
The late Tafa Oloyede age did not deter him from acting even till his last moments.
The thespian who hailed from Ede in Osun state, was born in November 19, 1952 but began acting in 1974 after learning under the tutelage of the late Oyin Adejobi.
Over the years, the late Tafa Oloyede took part in several movies like Jaiyesimi, Ekuro Oloja, Orogun, Ayanmo, Akanji Oniposi, among others. He was later to become famous for being a major act in Baba Oyin ‘Kootu Asipa’ (Ashipa’s Court) on Nigerian Television Authority, Ibadan in the 80s.
Oyedokun reiterated that the late Tafa did not show any sign of ill health when he attended the Annual General Meeting of Bigscreen Entertainment on January 16, in Ibadan.
He was also said to have been in high spirits when he made an appearance on a show on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) TV on Monday, only to be announced to be dead just a day after.
Tributes have continued to pour in since the late veteran passed on.
OAP Adeyemi Olabode of Rave 91.7 FM, Oshogbo posted the following on Facebook:
Adeyemi Olabode, an OAP with Rave 91.7 Fm, Osogbo wrote on Facebook: ‘I’m yet to come to terms with the reality that I won’t see or hear from you again Daddy! You love me and will always check on me. You are a devoted fan who loves what I do on radio and will always pray for me’.
‘You will always remind me of your birthday for shout-out. Apart from WhatsApp communication, it pains me that I haven’t spoken with you this year. Ahh, Baba there is no more! Rest in peace Baba Tafa Oloyede’.
From King Sunny Ade’s Ariya Kingdom, Lanre Azeez wrote: ‘Another great star in make-believe world has left the orbit, creating a space that hardly could be filled. One of the greatest and earliest thespians who started from childhood till old age in stage-drama-movie in Nigeria’.
The Governor, Osun Chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Alhaji Moruf Lawal has confirmed that the remains of the late thespian will be buried on February 11, 2022. He made this disclosure during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Thursday in Oshogbo.
While stating that the association has concluded burial arrangements for the family of the late actor, he also added that an ‘Artist Day’ will be organised in his honour on February 10 at his home town at Ede, between 2pm and 6pm.
According to him, a Christian Wake program will be organised for the deceased on February 10 before he will be finally laid to rest on February 11th.
