Veteran Yoruba Nollywood star in the 80’s and 90’s, Tajudeen Adeoye aka Abijawara was a popular household name in Koto Orun, a traditional Yoruba Television series produced by Alhaji Yekini Ajileye.
Abija according to ‘Omo Oduduwa’, is celebrating his 63rd birthday today hence this special tribute to a man who made a distinct name in the Yoruba theatre industry.
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TRIBUTE TO ABIJA WARA-BI-EKUN
If I call him Tajudeen Adeoye, many people may not know who I am talking about. But the moment I mention Abija, tongues will start wagging in his praise.
The teenagers of today may not really know him much, but those in their 30s upwards have had more than enough of Abija’s prowess when it comes acting in Yoruba epic movies.
Somebody described him as the dare devil actor robed in charm-riddled costume; horn in hand, commanding fire and brimstones on his enemies, especially the ‘witches’ in movies.
If Abija is not the lead warrior in any movie back then, many people may decide not to watch it. That’s to tell you how much love people had for him back in the days.
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Abijawarabiekun made our days as kids. We grew up seeing him on our black and white television screens until the days of colour TVs.
From him, many of us learn some incantations and movie actions [laughs]. The ‘butter kids’ will not understand this – Those days, after watching Abija films, we will gather somewhere to start our own edition of the movie. Someone will be Abija and another person may be Fadeyi oloro or Lalude or Sokoti or Arakangudu, Dagunro, Ogunjimi and many others; then we start spewing incantations like warriors. What a nostalgia!
Abija doesn’t die in movies. He is always the winner of all battles and that’s why we all kids would want to address themselves as Abija.
At 23, Abija joined the world of make-believe, having been inspired by the likes of late Hubert Ogunde.
However, Abija is not living as expected. There is no money attached to his fame. The many roles he played in movies did not translate to opulence.
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At a time, the veteran actor said he did not have his own house. What a revelation! Isn’t that unspeakable?
Though some well-meaning individuals have been coming to his rescue, especially after he survived a fatal auto accident five years ago.
Abija is now an Alhaji after his pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in 2019.
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People teased him as the first person to use a mobile phone. That’s because Abija in those days used to have an Ado (spiritual gourd) in his pocket with which he communicatd with his deity called Ajan. I know many people can relate.
Abija just marked his 63rd birthday on March 22.
Veteran, thanks for your enormous contributions to the Yoruba movie industry. Thanks for laying the foundation for many young actors.
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You are an inspiration to the upcoming ones. You’re a promoter of Yoruba arts and culture. You are a symbol of what the Yoruba ancients days represent.
Thanks for being our pride. I wish you can come back to our screens again like in those days.
May you live long and reap the fruits of your labour. We love you baba.
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You have written your name in gold, not on paper, but in our hearts and nothing can erase that. Much love forever.
Please share this article to celebrate a veteran.
Courtesy: Omo Oduduwa
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