Moses Adejumo Olaiya , born May 18, 1935, is popularly known under the stage name of Lamidi Sanni, alias Baba Sala, is an Ijesha-born actor who can be rightly termed as the father and the king of Nigerian Yoruba films.
Not many know that he started out in life as a civil servant, a sanitary Inspector. After work, he would put off his sanitary inspection (Wole Wole) uniform and go for teaching part-time work in the evenings where he would go round town collecting daily thrift contribution — popularly called Ajo by Yorubas.
In the night, he would transform from a thrift collector into a highlife musician. Baba Sala started his career as a highlife musician. In 1964, he led a group known as The Federal Rhythm
Dandies. Interestingly, among his band's men was King Sunny Ade, who was his lead guitarist. Sunny Ade later left to become a music maestro and king of Juju music in Nigeria. According to the pioneer comedy actor, he started acting in 1960 in Lagos and since then had been bringing joy to his fans.
According to him, he never knew that comedy would bring the success he craved for as a young man: "I never knew comedy would become something that would take me that far. In those days people came to watch us at the National Theatre armed with analgesic tablets in readiness for a laughing session which could result in headache," he recalled.
"People would laugh until their heads get ached and tired. I have always wanted people to laugh and if I am on stage and people are not laughing, I will not be happy at all.
"I will make sure I do something that will make them laugh. In fact, in those days when we acted at the National Theatre with Ogunde on the other side of the theatre with his films, they preferred to come to Baba Sala side of the theatre. To come and watch our comedy."
He traced how he came about the name, 'Baba Sala,' which he said was chosen because he started out in a predominantly Muslim community. Though a Christian, he chose the names "Lamidi Sanni Oropo, Baba Sala."
Baba Sala advised youths, especially those who are interested in pursuing a career in acting to pursue their dreams and concentrate on developing their innate creativity with passion, and love which he believes will bring in the long run rewards.
'Our youths should be focused and dig deep in areas they know they have strength. They should identify the things they are passionate about; the drive from within will lead them to where they want to be. Acting is not easy but if you love what you do and have passion for it, it will reward you," he said.
Great works of creativity which have continued to make the appreciation of Moses Olaiya as a living legend and the ideal role model for young ones include: Orun Mooru (1982), Aare Agbaye (1983), Mosebolatan (1985), Agba Man (1992/Home video), Return Match (1993/Home video) and Tokunbo (1985, TV).
It will be recalled that Baba Sala, 74, became a full-time professional theatre comedian in 1969 after he did away with his Moses Olaiya Concert Party and came up with the more lasting Moses Olaiya International Alawada Theatre Limited, which travelled extensively round Nigerian cities and towns, and even the United States and the United Kingdom, with many brilliantly produced performances which contributed immensely to his popularity as a first-rate artist.
The advent of the first television station in Nigeria, The Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), equally impacted on the career of this maestro of hilarious comedy, for he was given one-year contract of drama sketches at the station based on the directive of the then legendary premier of the western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had at some occasion witnessed the enriching performances of Baba Sala.
It is on record that Baba Sala virtually wrote all his plays in which more often than not he was the lead character easily identified with his protruding belly, outrageously big bow tie, baggy trousers, pipe tobacco, big wristwatch, among many other embellished costumes and funny props.
An entrepreneur of enviable success, Baba Sala still provides leadership for his Alawada Group International Limited as the Chairman/Managing Director. Though the NANTAP honour warmed the cockles of his heart, Adejumo is not alien to such. He is a recipient of the national honour, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), which was conferred on him by General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1978.
Continue on part 2....
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