•Two talented actors depart

As actors, they made people laugh. But their deaths last week were no laughing matter. First to exit was Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as ‘Sisi Quadri’, who died at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osun State, on March 1, aged 44.

The Yoruba word ‘Sisi’ denotes femininity. He explained that a woman who introduced him to makeup and acting gave him the nickname. “She would always call me Sisi Quadri because I behave like a woman,” he said, adding, “At first, I didn’t like the name and would fight back at people when they called me that. But when they were persistent, I had no option but to accept it as my nickname.”

Initially a makeup artist, he made his mark as an actor in the Yoruba-language sector of Nollywood. His performance in the 2004 Yoruba movie ‘Seniyan Seranko’ announced his acting talent. He cemented his popularity when he starred in the Yoruba film ‘Ebudola’ in 2020. He also performed in ‘Toko Taya’ in 2022, ‘Aje Ni Eegun,’ ‘Iya Oko Mi,’ ‘Omo Iya Oko,’ ‘Oluwa-Burna,’ and recently in the ‘Anikulapo’ series.

He was suited for the role of a sharp-tongued character. Interestingly, he said in an interview: “I learnt how to insult people in a joking way through my dad and mum.”

Born in Iwo, Osun State, he attended primary and secondary schools in Ore, Ondo State, and later learnt Arabic and the Quran in his hometown. His father wanted him to be an Islamic cleric. He studied fashion design, and graduated from a fashion school in 1999.

His journey to stardom began in 2000 when he was introduced to a group of actors. “Sometimes, when I have to go out, I disguise myself to get acquainted with the everyday experiences of Nigerians which I use to generate concepts for movies/skits. If I don’t disguise myself, I may not achieve my aim because of the attention from fans,” he said. This was a testimony to his recognition.

The exit of comic actor John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as ‘Mr Ibu’, who died in a Lagos hospital on March 2, aged 62, further depleted comic talents in Nigeria’s film industry.

A star in the English language/ Pidgin English sector of Nollywood, he became popular following his role as ‘Mr. Ibu’ in a 2004 movie, and the name stuck. He starred in over 200 Nollywood films, including the ‘Mr. Ibu’ series, ‘Coffin Producers,’ ‘Husband Suppliers,’ ‘International Players,’ ‘Police Recruit’ (2003), ‘9 Wives’ (2005), and ‘Keziah’ (2007). In October 2020, he released two singles, titled ‘This Girl’ and ‘Do You Know,’ which were said to be his last projects before he took ill leading to the amputation of his leg in November, 2023.

One of his strong points as an actor was that he could make people laugh without saying anything. According to him, “I was chosen to play a doctor in a film one time and when I came to the set dressed as one, even without saying anything, all the crew just burst out laughing.”

His participation in Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry of northern Nigeria, based in Kano, helped to build a bridge between the southern and northern sectors of the Nigerian film industry. His best known Kannywood film was the Hausa language comedy ‘Hajiya Babba.’

A native of Umunekwu in present-day Enugu State, he was a boxer, football coach, hair stylist, photographer and karate practitioner before he started his acting career. His acting talent was discovered at a film audition.

‘Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr. Ibu’ demonstrated the beauty of talent, the value of professionalism, and the power of art.

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