Babatunde Omidina known as Baba Suwe is a
successful comedian better known for his exploits
in Yoruba home videos. He is still arguably the
most popular Yoruba comedian of his time. But
Baba Suwe hasn’t been having it easy. After the
much publicised crisis with National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency,NDLEA, he lost his wife,
Omoladun, who was almost always his soul-mate,
even in films. Baba Suwe talked with Potpourri,
opening up his heart on a number of issues,
Excerpts:
When did you begin to act?
I started acting at 18 when I dropped out of
secondary school, then I was in form four. I
developed the passion when Baba Mero and his
group came to Children boarding school in Osogbo
to act. After watching them, I got drums and other
musical instrument, picked some guys in my street
like Mufitau Ilumoka, Sola Taiwo and a host of
others and formed a theater group. And that was
what metamorphosed into the brand ‘Baba Suwe’
today.
Are you saying you never went for any training?
No, I didn’t and I was not trained by anybody. I
was born with the talent of putting smiles on faces,
so I really did not need any training.
Your first show?
My first show was at Amuto playing ground, Lagos
Island. Although it was a free show but I was so
happy because it recorded a huge success.
What was your first movie?
I did not start with home videos rather I started
with soap opera “Erin keke”. My first film was
“Omo Lasan” by Mr Obalende. But the first film I
produced was “Baoku” in the 90s.
Some people believe you over act some scenes.
Your comment?
It is not my fault. Most times when I am on set, I
make the director, film editor and a lot of others
laugh that they forget to cut out the unnecessary
parts. Some people have even confronted me that
it is because I didn’t acquire any professional
training is why I over act, but it is not true.
Tell us your background?
I am a special specie created by God. I hail from
Igbgogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State but born and bred
on the Island. My father was an average Nigerian
who was into trading of eye-glasses and my
mother was a trader . I am the only child between
my parents. My father had three wives. I dropped
out of secondary school when I was in form four.
Growing up for me was tough but fun. I enjoyed
every bit of it because I was quite mischievous. As
a teenage, I didn’t really know the importance of
education but thank God, I am managing well. I am
also a different person from what you see on the
screen, a quiet and easy-going person.
As a child, who were you looking up to?
Then I wanted to be like Michael Jackson who was
known all over the world but now I know better.
What has acting brought you.?
Acting has brought me many good things that I
can not say here. I do not think I would have done
well in any other field.
How have you been coping without a wife?
It has not been easy but life must go on. I believe
whatever happens has been pre-ordained. The
death of Omoladun was a great loss I cannot get
over in this lifetime. She will remain my best
companion. She understood me than any other
person on planet earth. At times when we quarrel
in the house, she would abuse me on set and that
would mark the end of the issue.
Any plan of remarrying?
Yes . In fact pretty soon.
Who is the lucky bride?
You can’t know her for now. She is not an actress
because I can’t marry an actress again.
Are you insinuating Omoladun was not a good
wife?
No, I don’t mean anything of such. What I mean is
that I cannot get someone like Omoladun among
the actresses again. Her good acting skills is one
of the reasons I loved her but I have decided to
check else where for love.
After the death of Omoladun, your step daughter
accused you of killing her mother?
That is mere rumour. She later came out to say
she never said that. We were all staying in the
same building. Omoladun was hypertensive for a
long time and I did my best as a husband, a friend,
and colleague to take adequate care of her. At a
time she spent months at a hospital. The day the
bad incident happened, I was about praying when I
told my child to go wake Omoladun because we
had an appointment. It was this child who ran out
to call me and with the help of neighbors, we
rushed her to the hospital. The doctor confirmed
her death on arrival.
Has her death affected your career?
Not really. There are many people who can take
her role but I miss her so much. After her death, I
produced “Baba Jaiye” part two and it was a huge
success.
Would you say many competitors like Baba Latin,
Baba Ijesa etc have taken over from you?
No, Baba Latin and the rest can never render me
useless. I have a good relationship with all of them
especially Baba Latin. Everything in life is time.
Many people now believe you are not as funny as
you used to, what is your comment?
That is never true. It is only people without eyes
that will say that. It is my God-given talent that
can never wear out.
How did you feel during the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency NDLEA crisis?
It was a tough time for me. I have been traveling
for years and something like that never happened.
It is a setup but I do not know the culprits till date.
Even after two days of not excreting cocaine as
expected, I was not left off the hook. Some even
said I used charms but if that is true many
herbalists in Nigeria should be billionaires. I spent
more than nineteen days sleeping on a couch for
something I know nothing about.
What were you going to do at Paris before you
were detained?
I was suppose to meet the person who handles my
family’s ticketing abroad. The man wanted my
presence at the naming ceremony of his new child.
On that same day, I went to Nigerian Aviation
Handling Company NAHCO’S office to get my
cameras as I traveled to America a month earlier
to get filming equipment like cameras and
generator before heading to the Airport. I was also
to be Master of Ceremony there.
Now that your lawyer, Bamidele Aturu is dead,
what is the next line of action?
I really don’t know what next to do but I believe
his colleagues will not disappoint me.
Do you believe you deserve the 25 million naira
compensation?
Yes I do. The crisis traveled so far that even if I
use all the newspapers in Nigeria to say my own
side of the story, some people will still not believe
it. It almost killed me, tarnish my image and my
career.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/life-omoladun-baba-suwe-finds-love-remarry-soon/

ok

I think dis is good news for dem yorubas .....

at last he will b relaxed to pour out jokes for u pple