By Bisola Bello
Moses Adejumo Olaiya, popularly known as Baba Sala, was taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday for the treatment of an undisclosed ailment.
His son, Emmanuel, told newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday that Baba Sala was rushed to UCH after an initial treatment in a hospital in Ilesa failed to bring relief to the octogenarian comedian.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the comedian had on Saturday complained of discomfort after which he was rushed to a hospital in Ilesa.
Emmanuel said the 80-year old comedian was responding to treatment and that his condition was stable.
He said his father requested for pounded yam on Tuesday after he was resuscitated by doctors.
Emmanuel did not reveal the cause of his father’s illness but said he needed oxygen when he was taken to the hospital in Ilesa.
He said: “Baba Sala is getting better.
“He demanded to be served pounded yam this afternoon.
“All I can say is that he is responding to treatment.
“I told people who called that my father is alive and okay.”
The art legend is regarded as the father of modern Nigerian comedy. He popularised theatre and television acting in Nigeria alongside other dramatists like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi and Duro Ladipo. .
Significantly, Baba Sala started his career in show business as a highlife musician, fronting in 1964 a group known as the Federal Rhythm Dandies where he tutored and guided the juju music maestro King Sunny Ade who was his lead guitar player.
He is a recipient of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) national honour.
