Veteran actor Usman Baba Pategi, popularly known as Samanja Mazan Fama, is dead. He was 84. The Kaduna-based famous Kannywood actor died around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday. Mohammad Usman, one of the late actor’s sons, confirmed his death to Daily Trust and revealed that he left behind two wives and 12 children.

The cause of his death is unknown. His son, however, said the funeral prayer would be held at a mosque in Kabala Costain, Kaduna.

If you are a fan of 80’s television programming, you would be familiar with the name Samanja. Samanja Mazan Fama was an army officer with a signature moustache and a funny way of dishing out and receiving orders in English.

The word Samanja is a coinage of the military rank, Sergeant Major. Pategi was a movie veteran and a war veteran, having fought in the Nigerian Civil War under the late former military ruler General Sani Abacha, who was then of a lower rank. In a recent interview, the veteran actor said his performance was enhanced in the drama due to his military experience.

The Kwara State royalty was also said to have given up his claim to the throne to pursue his passion for entertainment. In 2021, the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Faruk Yahaya, donated N2m to Samanja in Kaduna.

Faruk Yahaya, who was represented by Brig.-Gen Vitalis Okoro, Chief of Staff, to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division made the donation when he visited the veteran actor at his residence.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/kannywood/642584-veteran-actor-samanja-is-dead.html

Tinubu mourns famous actor Samanja

President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the family of retired soldier, broadcaster, and veteran actor, Usman Pategi (Samanja), who died on Sunday at 84. The president described the death of the popular thespian as a painful loss, saying he contributed to the country through the various vocations he pursued in his lifetime.

“The late Pategi chose to obey the call to national duty when the country needed his service. His television show, Samanja, was must-watch entertainment for decades. Through the show, he taught young citizens national values and respect for our service people. He was a patriot who left behind several indelible impressions,” the president said.


President Tinubu encouraged the Pategi family, the people and government of Kwara state, the Pategi Emirate Council, and members of the Nigerian entertainment industry to take comfort in the worthy legacy of the deceased.

Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
November 14, 2023

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/643329-tinubu-mourns-famous-actor-samanja.html?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

THROWBACK: Iconic Norther Actors - Bashir Bala (Chiroki) Versus Usman Baba Pategi (Samanja)

A little about the Nothern Nigerian Veteran Actors.
Bashir Bala (Chiroki)
Bashir Bala popularly known as Chiroki was born on the 22nd of September 1969 at Durumin Zungura in Kano State.

He got his primary school education at Kowli Primary School between 1980 to 1986, from there he gained high school education at a Medical School at the 'New door' between 1986 to 1989.

He started acting in movies since he was 9 years old and has been in uncountable movies today, most of which are Drama's, but he gained his prominense and popularity from his earlier movie 'Aljana Sumbuka'.

Bashir Bala Chiroki played the roles of nefarious characters that the audience loved to hate but could still successful deliver outstanding comedic performances like in the movie "Doctor Gulam."
Had a popular chant in one of his movies that went:
(Duniya meka, meka, duniya Chiroki, Chiroki)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No9YtzOQ1E8?si=2IDUb7ETbWUfbAtz


Usman Baba Pategi (Samanja)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkpld5I8XRs?si=tFhnF0n42pc70bc9
Usman Baba Pategi, known mostly as Samanja Mazan Fama (born 20 May, 1942) is a retired Nigerian Army personnel.

Together with Yusuf Ladan, Mamman Ladan and Idi Jibril an NTA staff they introduced the Hausa comedy known now as Kannywood, Northern Nigerian films or Hausa films in 80s to the Northern audience. He mostly appears as a police or soldier in their common practice and dramatize moves in the movie industry.

When asked why, He said "due to the experience I got in the army, I decided to use the way we react, move and command and that's where the name (Samanja) came on to be, the way a Sergeant and Major take control and commands the order ranks" he also stated that acting gives him more joy and happiness that's why retired and returned to his acting career.

The popular actor, writer and director starred in populous Hausa films like: Samanja
Yusuf's Ladan's "Zaman Duniya Iyawa Ne"
Pategi got popularity for the movie Samanja by mixing Hausa/English and pidgin English the way Nigerian soldiers usually speak.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0uuNQawKbF2NRgabZw9geUpkyt84VwLzKXczMknJNYRyFixfRbQJN4NnCnxVaQNZWl&id=100064700678158&post_id=100064700678158_pfbid0uuNQawKbF2NRgabZw9geUpkyt84VwLzKXczMknJNYRyFixfRbQJN4NnCnxVaQNZWl&mibextid=Nif5oz Mynd44 nlfpmod

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW_tI0tAFfE?si=-tMbP5q-BTpQUVmJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeoNjq2vSF4?si=mt3nAFRNmLPd0jYZ

Braka mun da warahaka. Muna magana wasan WO Samanja. What a funny man he was. Samanja with his trademark bicycle-handle like kind of funny looking mouthstache. Always calling Musa! The environment used to mimic the typical army barracks kind of setting.

This reminds me of our Dalet barracks then @ Kawo Kaduna. Guy featured in the SOJA magazine one year in the 1980s. Abeg smile or laugh if this hausa comical really made your days in the 1970 - 80s.

nlfpmod

Indomie generation please keep off.

So samanja is a character... One oldsoja name for my area

Kestolove:
So samanja is a character... One oldsoja name for my area

So, you are of indomie generation?

BadMaster:

So, you are of indomie generation?

no am not... I watched Willi Willi ND tales by moonlight

The good old generation are just passing on. Shout to my gees in Odogbo and Dodan Barracks then when we used to cluster to watch this Baba mai gemu play on NTA back then. Rest on Samanja - your comical stunts also added to my childhood memories.

Kestolove:
So samanja is a character... One oldsoja name for my area

Well said. Old soldier of old. Rest on too Captain Maiguimeri