Actress Lanre Hassan, popularly known as Iya Awero, says she plans to continue acting for the rest of her life.
The 75‑year‑old screen and stage performer spoke about her long career in an interview.
Iya Awero said, “I will die acting. I have been doing this since 1964 and I don’t know how to do anything else aside from acting. I am also knowledgeable in film costuming because I learned that from my bosses in my early days as an actress.”
In the interview, Iya Awero also revealed names of members of the Awada Keri Keri theatre group that many people may not know. She said, “Sola Sobowale was a member of the Awada Keri Keri theatre group. Many people know myself, Oga Bello and Papi Luwe but we also had Jide Kosoko, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Ronke Odusanya, Kunle Afod, Bakky Adeoye, late Funmi Martins and Dele Odule as members. These names began their career with Awada Keri Keri.”
Iya Awero’s acting career began in the 1960s with the Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group, which later became the Awada Keri Keri Organisation. Over more than six decades in the industry, she has worked on numerous stage plays, television shows and films, earning recognition as a leading figure in Yoruba cinema and Nollywood.
Earlier interviews show that her dedication to acting has been shaped by personal experience. She has faced challenges, including resistance from her late husband, who initially supported her work but later objected to her acting. Disagreements continued until his death.
Iya Awero has also endured personal loss. She recounted the deaths of two of her children at young ages, saying the experience nearly led her to quit acting. Despite these hardships, she has remained in the profession and continues to act in current productions.
