Orisabunmi: AbdulRazaq, Salami, Kosoko mourn

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has described the death of Folake Aremu, a veteran actress, popularly known as Orisabunmi, as the end of a glorious era in the theatre industry.
AbdulRazaq stated this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Wednesday in Ilorin.
“The governor joins the rest of the country, especially Kwara people, to mourn the death of the great Orisabunmi, who was one of the prides of the state on the continental artistic stage.
”He recalls her exploits in the 1980s through early 2000s, when she beautifully depicted the great African subculture in the Yoruba movie industry.
”Her pacifist roles and the bravery she exuded in most of her appearances were quite legendary and will be sorely missed,” the statement quoted AbdulRazaq as saying.
He described Orisabunmi as one of the ‘last men standing’ in the tradition she represented in Nollywood.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased and the entire Nollywood community, the governor prayed God to console her family and forgive her shortcomings.
Veteran Nollywood Actor Jide Kosoko on Wednesday mourned the late Actress who died at 61.
 
Kosoko described the late actress as a very jovial fellow who always concealed her anger to make peace with people around her.
 
He lauded Orishabunmi’s numerous contributions to the development of the entertainment industry.
 
“Folake did her best, fought and conquered as far as I am concerned. Her contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry can’t be erased, we cannot forget her so soon.
 
“One good thing about her is that she was very jovial, fond of playing with everyone, in fact she used to conceal her annoyance.
 
“We will miss her. I pray her soul rests in peace and may God console her family,” he said.
 
Also, Actor Yemi Shodimu said that the late actress was a good woman with a large heart and had left a huge vacuum in the entertainment industry which would be difficult to fill.
 
Shodimu urged other Nollywood actors to emulate the late actress’s dedication to the promotion of Nigerian arts and culture and her respect for the nation’s tradition and culture
 
“This is too much of a shock for me. She was not just a notable artiste, she had left her foot prints on the sand of time.
 
“She was a good woman with a large heart and left a vacuum which would be difficult to fill.
 
“We are going to miss her history, radiance, competence, kindness and friendship. She was dedicated to her profession. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
 
Also, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as “Oga Bello” who became emotional while speaking said, “Please, I am sorry, I cannot comment now, it is a painful loss.”
 
Orisabunmi was famous for playing the role of a priestess with magical powers expressed in incantations and some other mysterious manifestations which had endeared her to her fans for many years.
 
The late actress achieved fame in the 1980s when she starred in the TV series “Arelu”, alongside her ex-husband, the late Veteran Actor Jimoh Aliu.
 
This was shortly after she was discovered by Jimoh Aliu while she was working as a teacher in Kwara State.
 
Orishabunmi first appeared in a stage play “Ori Ma Binu” but her role as Orisabunmi in “Arelu” made her a household name.
 
Some of her iconic roles include: “Asabi” in Oluwerimagboojo” and the priestess in “Ayanmo Eda”.