“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.” —The 14th Dalai Lama, Head Monk Of The Gelugpa Lineage Of Tibetan Buddhism.
The drumbeats prelude The Alawada Series on WNTV, now NTA Ibadan, in the 70s every Wednesday from 7pm to 7:30pm. It was a must watch for most families. The Alawada series was laced with native wisdom and comic relief.
When Chief Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly known as Baba Sala, clocked 80 years some months back, the London-based Nigerian blogger and writer, Jagunmolu Oluwadare Lasisi, asked on Facebook for 80 fans to raise N80,000 to appreciate Baba Sala at 80. I saw it as a laudable move to appreciate a legend while he is still with us.
Through the efforts Dare and other fans, though not up to 80, the targeted N80,000 was raised through social media.
Along the line, Baba Sala took ill and rumours of his death were all over social media networks. Dare felt so concerned as to whether there would still be a chance to honour Baba Sala in his lifetime.
Penultimate Monday, a friend linked us with Bose Adejumo (Sala), who assured us that Baba was alive and recuperating well. Sala also ensured I spoke with Baba himself. His voice could not have been mistaken although weakened by old age.
Members of the Baba Sala @80 group were happy. Dare, the founder of the group, volunteered to donate extra N20,000 to round-up the figure to N100,000.
By Wednesday August 26, myself, Laolu Awoloola and Ademola Ibrahim Mandela were at Baba Sala’s residence at Coca Cola to show love and appreciation to a legend and present him with a token amount of N100,000 on behalf of Baba Sala at 80 group, which was handed over to his daughter, Bose Adejumo (Sala).
We met the legend in the company of his wife, two children and another veteran actor. He was looking fresh and recuperating well contrary to social media reports. Dressed in Ankara, vintage Baba Sala threw banters and cracked jokes with us despite his fragile health.
We spent over 30 minutes with the old man, during which Dare Lasisi called from London and the legendary Nigerian comedian prayed for all of us for our efforts to put smile on his face.
The show of appreciation from Baba Sala and his family was really overwhelming. Baba has since Friday returned to his base in Ilesa, Osun State. Fans, if you ever find yourself in Ilesa, please take time out to visit the old man. It will surely gladden his heart. Let us appreciate our heroes while they are still here.
. www.darelasisi.co.uk.