On Monday, May 18, 2015, one of Nigeria’s most iconic comedians and dramatists, Moses Adejumo Olaiya who is far better known by his stage name, Baba Sala is 80 years old. A prolific filmmaker who started his career in show business as a highlife musician, fronting a group known as the Federal Rhythm Dandies as far back as 1964, it was through the group that he tutored and guided his lead guitar player back then, the man known today as Juju king, King Sunny Adé in music. Olaiya, who went on to achieve fame as a genius in the acting world, is often regarded as the father of modern Nigerian comedy alongside other dramatists like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi and Duro Ladipo who all popularized theatre and television acting in Nigeria. Upon joining the league of Octogenarians on Monday, the children of Baba Sala, who was one of those recently honoured AT NEC 2015 last month, organised a small get together for him. Some of his notable movies include Mosebolatan, Aare Agbaye, Tokunbo, Agba Man and several others.
