Lere Paimo Debunks Death Rumour

The veteran Yoruba actor and cultural icon, Lere Paimo popularly called Eda Onile Ola has debunked rumour of his death, affirming that he is alive contrary to the speculation.

Penpushing reports that he made the clarification on Saturday when Penpushing Media put a call across to him, explaining that the rumour of his death which hit social media was imagination of mischief-makers.

The aged theater practitioner emphasized that as at the time Penpushing Media spoke with him on phone, said he was at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, and thanked the media outlet for reaching out to him.

‘I am not dead; I am alive and in my home in Ibadan. I thank you for reaching out to me. The death rumour is the imagination of bad people, and that death wish will be their portion’, he declared

Penpushing further reports that Lere Paimo, a household name in Yoruba movie was born in September 1939 in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria, an actor, known for The Narrow Path (2006), Moremi Ajasoro (2009) and Agogo èèwò (2002).

The 86-year-old   began acting in 1958 after he joined the Oyin Adejobi theatre group, a theatre group founded by Pa Oyinade Adejobi before he later joined Duro Ladipo’s Theatre Group where he featured in a stage play titled Obamoro with the role of “Chief Basa”.

Penpushing also reports that he became popular following a lead role as Soun Ogunola played in an epic yoruba film titled Ogbori Elemosho which brought him into limelight and had featured, produced and directed several Nigerian films since he began acting in 1963.

The talent of Lere Paimo from the beginning was recognized and he was given leading roles. In Eda, a Yoruba version of Everyman, he played Everyman himself so memorably that up till today his nickname has remained Eda Onile Ola and while with Duro Ladipo, he featured in a stage play titled Obamoro with the role of “Chief Basa”.

Penpushing reports that in 2005, in recognition of his immense contributions to the Nigerian film industry, he was bestowed a National award of Member of the Federal Republic by Olusegun Obasanjo the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.