I almost quit acting after claims I k!lled Baba Mero, his wife – Adebayo Salami

I almost quit acting after claims I killed Baba Mero, his wife – Adebayo Salami

Adebayo Salami celebrates five decades in Nollywood
Adebayo Salami, the ace Nigerian actor popularly known as Oga Bello, has revealed how the deaths of his mentor and his wife almost pushed him to quit acting permanently.

The 73-year-old thespian disclosed this in a recent interview with Feel Right News TV, recounting the deep emotional toll the losses took on him and his career.

Salami said the saddest moment of his life was the passing of Ojo Ladipo, his mentor and former boss also known as Baba Mero, in 1978, explaining that the grief was compounded by the painful circumstances surrounding his illness and death.

The actor added that the pain resurfaced seven years later when Baba Mero’s wife also died, an event that pushed him to the brink of abandoning the theatre profession entirely.

“The saddest day of my life was when my boss died, Baba Mero. It is not just that day; there were other days, the circumstances to his death, the sickness was a lot, I was very sad. The second time was when his wife died too, with the problem I faced then at that time,” he said.

“The suffering was a lot and made me conclude that I am not interested in theatre anymore. I made up my mind that I am no longer interested in acting at that time because 7 years exactly after my boss died, the woman died too.

“There was nothing the world did not say about me; they even mentioned that I was the one who was killing them, so many things happened.”

The actor said despite the allegations, he ultimately chose to continue his late mentor’s legacy, taking over as the leader of the theatre group after Baba Mero’s death.

“When my boss died in 1978, I was the next man to him at that time. So we had to continue. We had to immortalise the name. I felt reluctant to continue because what is underneath is not small at all,” he added.

“When we started, there were problems here and there, which are very plenty, and I don’t want to mention them for the sake of peace.”

His acting journey began in 1964. Salami began his acting career with the Young Concert Party group, led by Baba Mero.

The group’s name changed throughout the years, evolving from Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group to Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group.

Following Ladipo’s passing in 1978, Salami assumed group leadership, propelling him into the spotlight.

He made his cinematic debut in the first-ever Yoruba film, ‘Ajani Ogun’, where the late Adeyemi Afolayan played the lead role.

In 1985, he produced his first movie, ‘Ogun Ajaye’, under the Awada Kerikeri banner.

Since then, he has become a notable force in the Yoruba film industry, actively producing and directing numerous movies.

The artistic legacy continues with his sons, Femi Adebayo, Tope Adebayo, and Sodiq Adebayo, establishing themselves as successful actors and movie producers.

Last year, the ace actor revealed plans to release a movie marking his 60th year in the entertainment industry.