Baba Suwe is the moniker given to veteran Nigeria comedian and actor. He graced the screens of many homes right from when the film industry was still budding. Over the years, he remained one of the foremost comedians in the industry. Best known for his roles in Iru Esin and Omolasan, he has done many movies and comedy skits.
His death at the age of 63 was a shock to many as recollections of his acting were lively. Not the first of his generation, his time in the limelight was marked by many controversies as is usual with many celebrities.
Also, his flourishing career was shadowed by a home life made up of family, marriage, and children. But who was this legendary comedian and actor and what are the untold details about his life?
Who Is Baba Suwe?
He was a veteran Nigerian actor and comedian well circulated in Yoruba movies. Born Babatunde Omidina, his lifelong nickname, Baba Suwe after a movie role stuck to him and defined his character in the industry.
Omidina hails from Lagos state and was born on August 22, 1958. At the time of his death on November 22, 2021, he was 63 years old.
He had his early education in Lagos and Osun states. Omidina out his trade in the entertainment industry with NTA 7 and 10 in the 70s.
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His Life And Marriage
After making his acting debut in 1971, he did not make it to the limelight till he was featured in Omolasan. The film was produced by Obalende and it was the defining film of his popularity.
Baba Suwe started his career from the bottom of the ladder before reaching the top. While he was building a career, he had a personal life he was building too.
He married his true love, Omoladun in 1995. the union produced three children, Adesola, Okiki, and Halimat.
Baba Suwe Controversies
His life was surrounded by many controversies. The top on the lists are
- His Wife’s Death: In 2009, Baba Suwe made the headlines following the death of his wife, Monsurat Omidina. Fingers pointed at him concerning the nature of her death. First was the fact that she foamed at the mouth for some time before dying. Secondly, there were bruises on her neck. Since these were unnatural, many accused him of directly killing her. His stepdaughter, Omolara Kareem, Monsurat’s daughter accused him because they had fought the night before. Some sources say the woman was hypertensive and this may have triggered issues that led to her death.
- The drug allegations by the NDLEA, Nigeria’s anti-drug trafficking agency. He was accused of trying to smuggle drugs in his stomach. They arrested him at the airport on October 13 2012 while trying to board a plane. The airport scanner detected suspected drugs in his stomach.
- Paternity Scandal: Baba Suwe was right in the middle of another scandal involving the paternity of actress, Opeyemi Aiyeola. After she gave birth to her child, many hands were pointing at Baba Suwe as the father. The actress claimed the child was not his ads the only relationship between them is professional.
The Death Of Baba Suwe
In the last years of his life, Baba Suwe had a partial stroke and some health challenges. Not one new to scandals, it sparked off the rumors of his colleagues abandoning him.
Like the case of many veteran actors, Baba Suwe’s fans stated that his colleagues did not care about him despite his sickness. Lizzy Anjorin’s name was at the forefront of the accusations.
His friends were generous enough to fly him to the US for diabetes treatment in 2019. On November 22, 2021, the news of his death filtered through the media. One of his children, Adesola posted it on his Instagram. He captioned it ‘This is the sudden death of my father Mr. Babatunde Omidina, the legend and rare gem Baba Suwe‘
5 Unknown Facts About Baba Suwe
1. Baba Suwe Movies
In the course of his life, he acted many movie roles. Some of the movies were produced by him. He was also the first comic to write scripts that allowed the audience to laugh in the background. These are some of the movies he acted in:
Baba Londoner
Elebobo
Obe Lomo
Oba Joba Lo
Larinloodu
Iru Esin
Arewa Okunrin
Kowope
36 Kiniun
2. Acting The Butler Or Guard
Baba Suwe had a way of portraying the character of a confused butler or guard in his movies. These characters often cement the comic relief in movies.
These roles were his most popular in both the English(Nollywood) and Yoruba versions of movies he acted.
3. He Was To Be Compensated For False Drug Arrest
Following his wrongful arrest by the NDLEA, they cleared him of the drug trafficking charges. After 25 bowel movements and his inability to excrete any drugs, the officials of NDLEA discovered there were no drugs in his stomach.
After they cleared him of the charges, he was to be compensated the sum of $155,000(N25 million). A judge at the high court in Lagos said the three weeks detention was an infringement on his rights.
The NDLEA was asked to publicly apologize to the now-deceased actor. Baba Suwe did not get the money as he lost the right to it.
4. Baba Suwe Had A Car Crash In 2006
In 2006, he had a terrible auto crash with three other members of his family. He was coming to Lagos from his home in Ikorodu. the timing of the accident came at a time when he was having health challenges and a low point in his career.
Alongside his late wife, Monsura, the two were making videos to survive after many colleagues shunned them. the accident shook them but marked another milestone for them.
5. Compensated For His Demolished Property
Baba Siwe’s property was among the unlucky ones that had to go when the government constructed a road. The Igbogbo-Igbe road expansion project touched his property.
Lagos state government compensated him the sum of N3.1 million for that property.
Baba Suwe Net Worth
He had a career that spanned over three decades in the movies. As one of the veterans in the industry, it is hoped his financial roots were strong. Many sources estimate his net worth to be up to $2 million.
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