The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has expressed condolence to the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) and other critical stakeholders in the Nigerian home movies industry over the death of a veteran movie actor, Babatunde Omidina.

Describing the death of the popular comic actor, whose passage was announced on Monday, 22nd November, 2021, as a great loss to the entire Nollywood, especially Yoruba actors and actresses, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, urged the movie practitioners to take solace in the impact made by the deceased during his lifetime.

She said that ‘Baba Suwe’, as the deceased was fondly called, brought relief to many households through his numerous home movies, stressing that he will forever be remembered for his contributions to the entire film industry where he spent a larger part of his life.

“Baba Suwe lived his life to bring laughter to many troubled homes, his simplicity and sense of humour are coveted by many, his death has left a huge vacuum in the Yoruba Nollywood”, the Commissioner stated.

Akinbile-Yussuf also extended her condolences to the immediate and extended families of Mr. Babatunde Omidina and prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

She recalled her last encounter with late Mr. Omidina earlier in the year during the presentation of a cheque of N3.1 million Naira to the deceased by the Lagos State Government as compensation for the demolition of his property to pave way for the ongoing Igbogbo-Igbe road expansion project.

Born in the 1950s, Baba Suwe, who began acting in 1971, came into limelight after he featured in a movie titled ‘Omolasan’ and became more popular after he featured in ‘Iru Esin’, produced by Olaiya Igwe in 1997, and thereafter starred in many other films.