Nollywood Comic Actor, Baba Suwe Buried Amidst Tears, Tributes

By Akinwale Kasali

The remains of comic veteran Nollywood Actor, Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, were interred at his home in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The 63-Year Old actor passed away on Monday 22nd, November, 2021, after a long battle with illness.

Though he ought to have been buried the day he died according to Islamic rites, but there was fracas among the children, family members and Muslim Clerics who frowned at the non burial of the Nollywood star on the day he died. Due to his son’s absence, the burial was postponed till today.

Colleagues of the late Actor were present at his burial to pay their last respect.

Present were: Bolaji Amusan popularly known as Mr. Latin, Sunday Omobolanle popularly known as Pappy Luwe, Monsuru Obadina popularly known as Fala, Femi Adebayo among others.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among those, who paid tribute to the veteran Nigerian comic actor, Baba Suwe.

Atiku wrote on Twitter: “Babatunde Omidina, aka Baba Suwe, thank you so very much for bringing so much happiness and joy into our homes. May your soul rest in peace.”

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu in his tribute to the actor through his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, described Omidina’s demise as ‘painful and a great loss.’

He urged the bereaved family, friends, associates and movie practitioners to take Baba Suwe’s death in good faith and as an act of God.

“The late Baba Suwe was a bundle of talent, and he used his God-given gift to advance the course of mankind. He put smiles on the face of many through his comic roles.

“The death of a loved one is usually painful because it is irreparable, but we must always take solace in God, especially if the deceased had lived a fulfilled life, just like the late Omidina.

“Baba Suwe’s death has left a vacuum that would take some time to be filled. I pray God will grant the deceased eternal rest and repose of his soul”.

Baba Suwe started his acting while in secondary school, performing with theatre groups. However, the movie that brought him to the limelight was ‘Iru Esin’.

He featured in other films and also delved into filmmaking. Some of the movies he produced included ‘Eku Meji’ and ‘Alfa Nla’. He was famous in mostly Yoruba movies.

In 2009, Baba Suwe lost his wife and actress Omoladun. It was reported that the actor was deeply affected by the loss but before he could recover from the shock, there were rumours that his step-daughter had accused him of killing her mother. The speculations were later dismissed as false.

In 2011, the actor was accused of drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) but the allegation was dismissed by a Lagos High Court, which asked that Baba Suwe should be compensated for the defamation of his character. The actor had said in interviews that the experience crippled his health.

His health would become  public discourse in 2019, when friends solicited funds for his medical treatment. Through the generosity of well-meaning Nigerians like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Billionaire Femi Otedola and Reverend Esther Ajayi of the Love of Christ Generation Church, Cherubim and Seraphim, amongst others, he was flown to the United States for the treatment of diabetes and other ailments. He returned to the country a month later.

Before his death on Monday, Baba Suwe had been a victim of death rumours. In 2020, it was widely speculated that he had passed on but the actor debunked it.

He would be missed in the Nollywood industry for his creativity by his colleagues  and interpretation of roles.