Segun Atanda/
How will Archangel Gabriel recognise the father of Nigerian comedy, Chief Moses Olaiya Adejumo MON, popularly known as Baba Sala, when he arrives at the Pearly Gates without his trademark gigantic goggles and bow-tie, tobacco smoke pipe, and the large table clock he used to wear as a wristwatch?
Two months after his death at 81 on October 7, NewsmakersNG captured the dramatist and actor lying in his casket yesterday at the Cultural Centre, Mokola in Ibadan, Oyo State, without his trademark paraphernalia as he began his final journey home.
The Lying-In-State attended by a galaxy of Nollywood Stars was a glamorous event, where Baba Sala arrived in a golden casket wearing a golden cap trimmed with cobalt blue, olive green, silver and brown embroidery and a white and blue cassock of The Sacred Cherubim & Seraphim church, in which he was the Minister-in-Charge at Idasa Parish and Chairman, Idasa District Council in Ilesha.
The vintage Baba Sala was only reflected in the dressing of the funeral party, as the colourful procession was led by people celebrating the comedian’s memory with his trademark paraphernalia.
Baba Sala’s final journey, which actually began with an initial Lying-in-State at the National Theatre, Iganmu, in Lagos on Monday, followed by the Ibadan event on Tuesday moved to Ilesha Wednesday in Osun State for a Service of Songs at his church, The Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Idasa Parish, in Ilesha. The Wake Keep will follow on Thursday at his residence in the town where he will be buried on Friday after an open air service to be followed by a Thanksgiving at the Church and entertainment of guests at Zenabab Half Moon Resort, on Ijebu-Jesa Road.
See Photos:
Dignitaries at the Lying-in-State included Oyo State governor, Sen Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun.
Nollywood presence was felt with the attendance of Pa Lere Paimo, Dele Odule, Peju Ogunmola, Tubosun Odunsi, Aderupoko, Mr Ayo Ogunsina, popularly called Papa Lolo; Rose Odika, Chief Toyosi Arigbabuwo, Chief Jinadu Ewele, and Veteran Broadcaster, Chief Yemi Ogunyemi, among others.
