Popular Yoruba filmmaker and actor, Chief Adedeji Aderemi, widely known as Olofa Ina, is dead.
The 73-year-old actor was a well-known thespian who bestrode contemporary Yoruba theatre.
The news of his death was announced by fellow actor, Saidi Balogun, via his Instagram handle (@SaidiBalogun), on Thursday night.
He posted Olofa Ina’s picture with a caption “Goodnight legend Chief Deji Akinremi (Olofa Ina) RIP.”
The cause of his death, as of the time of filing this report, has yet to be revealed.
Background to His Career
Chief Adedeji Aderemi was a renowned name in contemporary Yoruba theatre and film circles. He was born into the family of the late Chief AbdulSalam Aderemi and the late Madam Aisha Aderemi of Jagun-Olukosi compound, Ede, in Osun State on May 15, 1950 during the reign of Late Oba John Adetoyese Laoye, the then Timi of Ede Land.
He had his primary education at St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School between 1957 and 1962 and then proceeded to Baptist Secondary Modern School, Ode-Omu, from 1963 to 1965. He would enroll for vocational training in carpentry and joinery at Olukorede Furniture Industry, between 1965 and 1970.
Alongside his career in carpentry, Alagba Aderemi had a fair taste of life in both the public and private sectors, working as a Grade II Officer with the Ministry of Works and Transport, Ibadan, in the old Western State from 1970 to 1977 and later as a Maintenance Officer with Daladson Hotel, Jericho Reservation, Idi-Isin, in Oyo State between 1977 and 1980.
In that same year - 1980 - he retired into full time Theatre Arts practice.
Prior to 1980, he had earlier floated the Olofa Ina Theatre Group in 1972 with the likes of Erinfolami, Dasofunjo, Gbolagade Akinpelu and the Late Oyetunji of Esinnla compound, Ede. He received his theatre training under the Late Oyetunji.
The Olofa Ina Group recorded landmark achievements in the Theatre Industry by pioneering the staging of epical histories of the Yoruba Warlords of the 18th and 19th centuries, including Basorun Ogunmola, Balogun Ibikunle, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ilesha, Aare Kurunmi of Ijaye, Kakanfo Afonja and a host of others. The productions were recorded by Nigerian Television (NTV) Ibadan in the 70s and were narrated by the late Dr. Babayemi, then of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan who later became the Oba Olufi of Gbongan, Osun State. Olofa Ina also recorded series of Television productions among which were Odetedo, Lakaaye, Kogun Maja, and Ade Oba.
Olofa Ina also displayed his talent in scriptwriting, script dialogue and directing, in addition to his acting roles in Yoruba film and television series.
He featured prominently in the production of Ija Omode by Korede Films, Idaamu Otunba by Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), Ewe Orun by Korede films, Kabiyesi Olodumare by Ogogo films and Mayegun by Yinka Quadri to mention but a few.
Olofa Ina made his debut in film acting during the production of Ejo Ngboro by Tunbosun Odunsi Films, and later in Lisabi Agbongbo Akala by Akin Ogungbe, Ayonmon by Hubert Ogunde, Mosebolatan by Alawada Films Limited, Taxi Driver (Parts I and II) and Ehin Oku by Ade Love Films Ltd. as well as Agbaarin by Jimoh Ali Films Ltd.
Olofa Ina had a rare opportunity of featuring in the first ever home video production by Alade Aromire titled Ekun in 1989 and soon attained celebrity status in subsequent home video productions. He emerged one of the very best in acting with outstanding dexterity in his solid command of Yoruba language.
Chief Adedeji Aderemi was also the recipient of many awards and recognitions too numerous to be reeled out in one article.
He had a strong social side to him, given his membership of the Positive Thinkers Club of Nigeria, among others. In addition, Olofa Ina also gave time to farming, driving, script writing and reading.
It is on record too that Alagba Adedeji Aderemi was given a mandate to present a live performance of the history of Agbale Olofa Ina and Alapo Ti Emi Ti Emi at the 2010 Ede Day Celebration by the Professor Siyan Oyeweso-led Ede Mapo Arogun Day Planning Committee. It was a well- attended stage production that fed added testimony to his place as a worthy son of Ede and one of its frontline cultural ambassadors.
Olofa-Ina was also a great mentor to many aspiring, and up and coming artists, a fact which find testimony in the words of one of his protégés, Tola Oladokun:
“I used to sell clothes before I started acting in 1983. I indicated my interest in the art and I was accepted by the veteran… I tried combining my business with acting. But at the time, I was envied by some of my peers because I knew how to read and write; those were some of the challenges I faced. They tried to plot against me, but… Olofa Ina was always on my side.”
Olofa Ina was also one of the prominent artistes honoured by the Osun State Government at the 20th anniversary of the state in 2011. Olofa Ina was also famous for the rich Yoruba proverbs and idioms that punctuated his lines in various films and stage plays including his April 2020 interview with BBC Yoruba.
His life was one long adventure on stage and screen, and may have given a true illustration of the words of the English poet, Alexander Pope, who said once, “Act well your part, there all the honour lies.”
