Veteran Yoruba actor, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, clocked 66 years old on Monday.
Oga Bello is a household name in Nigeria with multiple awards and tonnes of movies to his credit.
In honour of the living legend, we present some fun facts about him.
- He used to work as a library assistant at the Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos and wanted to become a lawyer before he went in pursuit his true calling – acting.
- He started acting as early as 12 years old.
- His first stage production was a role as herbalist in Baba Ba Nyeni in 1977 at the Glover Memorial Hall.
- When his parents found out that he was into theatre arts, they almost cursed him with the Quran.
- He got the name Oga Bello as a member of the Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group which later metamorphosed into Awada Kerikeri.
- Following the demise of Ojo Ladipo in 1978, Salami took the mantle of leadership of the group, which brought him into the limelight
- He is husband to many wives and father to at least 17 children including famous actor, Femi Adebayo, who traded law for acting.
- He is an advocate for the promotion of indigenous languages in Nigeria.
- He is a recipient of the Special Recognition award by the Best of Nollywood (BON) awards.
- He is not prepared to retire anytime soon.
- The Kwara indigene celebrated half a century on stage two years ago.
