Nigeria’s comedy icon, Moses Olaiya, popularly known as Baba Sala, is not dead contrary to rumours circulating on the internet, one of his sons has said.
Some gossip websites had claimed the octogenarian died at his home in Ilesha, Osun State on Tuesday evening.
Comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, also announced the death in an Instagram post.
“AN ICON IS GONE.. WE LOST HIM, What a Great Loss !!! THE ACE COMEDIAN MOST SENIOR APOSTLE MOSES ADEJUMO Popularly Known As BABA SALA Died 3 hours ago. May his gentle soul rest in peace,” Adeyinka wrote.
One of veteran comedian’s children, who spoke to The PUNCH on phone around 10:20pm, however, denied that his father had died.
”It is not true that Baba is dead. He is alive and he doesn’t even have a stroke.
“I don’t know where those peddling the death rumour got it from,” the son identified as Emmanuel said.
Spokesman for the Osun State Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, had earlier dismissed the death rumour in a phone interview with Qed.ng.
“I just spoke with one of his sons and he was wondering how many times people want to kills his father,” Mr Okanlawon said.
Adeyinka has apologised for his error, blamaing a source for misinforming him.
The veteran of theatre and music had recently cried to Nigerians for help during a media briefing held on his biography due for presentation on December 4,
“I need help. Nigerians should help me. I am not dead yet, they should not let me die suffering,” he begged.
His family had insisted he was suffering from lack of funds, not old age.
It was expected that money made from sale of the autobiography would be used to partially rehabilitate him.
