18th July, 2014
Sulaimon Mojeed-Sanni
Veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, is planning big to commemorate his 50 years in the entertainment industry.
The Kwara State-born actor who is also a movie producer, has picked 25 and 28 September for the celebration of his landmark achievement, P.M.NEWS reliably gathered.
The celebration would kick off on 26 September 26, 2014, at the Agip Recital Hall of the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, with a stage play titled Oloko Oba (King’s Namesake) and the grand party will hold on Sunday September 28, at Time Square events centre Ikeja, Lagos, western Nigeria.
According to Oga Bello, “it feels good to look back and see how far I’ve come and it sure calls for celebration.
“The stage play that would be directed by Abiodun Abbey mirrors the story of a wicked king who derives pleasure in terrorising his people.
“When the king finds out about a young man who bears the same name with him, he gets upset and orders that the man should be beheaded. The young man in his wisdom saves himself by asking the king a simple question he could not answer.
The stage play is for a select guest of 200 dignitaries that would include politicians, brand executives, businessmen, veteran movie stars, and the media,” said a statement made available by AO21 media, the organisers of the event.
One of Oga Bello’s children, Lai Adebayo who spoke with P.M.NEWS, said he is elated about his father’s successful career and that he had trained lots of the children in the same manner.
“I feel so elated that my father Otunba Adebayo Salami is celebrating his Golden year in the Nigeria entertainment industry. My joy, however, is not premised on the fact of his long stay in the industry, but his giant strides in the development of the movie industry in the country and his accomplishments in life both in career and family,” Lai said.
Adebayo Salami was born on 9 May, 1953, in Lagos. He started acting in 1964 at the age of 11 with Youngstar Concert group led by the late Ojo Ladipo. The group later transformed to Ojo Ladipo Theatre group and then Awada Kerikeri group.
In 1978, the mantle of leadership was passed on to Adebayo Salami, after Ojo Ladipo’s death. He led the group till the early 90s and became popular playing significant roles in the Awada Kerikeri, a TV drama that got many people glued to their TV sets in the 70s.
The advent of home videos led other members of the group to start independent productions. Thus he formed his own company called “UB Media Network” in 1993.
He produced his first celluloid movie titled Ogun Ajaye in 1975, Omo Orukan in 1987, and Eri Okan in 1989. In the early 90s, he joined the home video train and produced a blockbuster movie titled Asewo To’re Mecca. He has since produced over 18 movies including Agbaara Obirin, Ilu le, Oko (stone), Gbemisola and others.
Oga Bello has played lead roles in over 100 movies and still very relevant in the Yoruba movie industry. Few of his children have followed his footstep and are doing well in their chosen career. They are Femi Adebayo, Sodiq Adebayo and Rilwan.