The name Adebayo Salami, a.k.a Oga Bello is a big fish in the Yoruba segment of the Nollywood industry in Nigeria that has spanned over five decades.
The popular Yoruba actor, movie producer and director, who celebrated his 50 years on stage in 2014 turned 63 years on 9thy 0f May, 2016.
But as the kwara born veteran actor celebrates his 63rd birthday, there unique facts his fans and lover of the Yoruba movie must know about him.
Here are the facts….
– A native of Kwara State, Adebayo Salami was born on May 9, 1953 in Lagos State where he had both his primary and secondary education.
-His acting career started in 1964 with a group called Young Concert Party, under the leadership of late Ojo Ladipo, popularly known as Baba Mero. After a few years, the group changed its name to Ojo Ladipo Theatre Group, and later metamorphosed into Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group.
– Oga Bello took the mantle of leadership of the group following the demise of Ojo Ladipo in 1978.
-Adebayo Salami featured in the first Yoruba film, Ajani Ogun, in which the late Adeyemi Afolayan, the father of Kunle Afolayan and Gabriel Afolayan, was the lead actor.
-He starred in the popular Nigerian comedy series Comedy Half Hour with the stage name Oga Bello.
-The actor produced his first movie, Ogun Ajaye, in 1985, from the stable of Awada Kerikeri.Adebayo Salami_Oga Bello
– Since 1985, he has produced, directed and featured in well over 50 Yoruba movies.
-Adebayo Salami was a pioneer member of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, and also served as president of the guild.Oga Bello
-One of Oga Bello’s wives, Risikat Adebayo is a renowned movie marketer. She owns Ejide Films.
– Apart from Femi Adebayo, who has become a household name in Nollywood, two other of Oga Bello’s children, Tope Adebayo (movie director) and Sodiq Adebayo (production manager) are doing well in the Nigerian movie industry.
– Oga Bello has 17 children; 15 of them are graduates while the other two are still in the university.
