AUDIO: Alive And Well— Veteran Nollywood Actor, Lere Paimo, Dispels Death Rumour

Veteran actor and cultural icon, Lere Paimo, has debunked rumours suggesting that he was dead.

Reports earlier emerged that the veteran Yoruba actor passed away on Friday at 86 years in his Ogbomosho town in Oyo state.

However, Prince Adejonwo Oluwafemi Femson, the national public relations officer of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), refuted such viral claims, saying that it is false. He also shared an audio of the telephone conversation he had with the iconic actor in early hours of the day.

He informed members of the public to disregard the false reports, urging them to be “aware that they are being spread by unscrupulous individuals.”

“We would like to inform the public that reports circulating on Facebook about the passing of Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR) are *FALSE*.

“We have just spoken with Baba Eda Onile Ola and his wife. He is *alive and in good health*.

“Please disregard these false reports and be aware that they are being spread by unscrupulous individuals.

“Chief Olalere Osun Paimo (MFR), Chairman Board of Trustee, Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), is alive and well.”

“We urge everyone to verify information before sharing to avoid spreading misinformation.”

Paimo, popularly known as Eda Onileola, was one of the most influential figures in Yoruba theatre and film, with a career spanning over six decades.

Born in September 1939 in Oyo State, he began acting in 1958 after joining the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group.

He later moved to the Duro Ladipo Theatre, where he featured in major productions, including the stage play Obamoro, in which he played “Chief Basa”.

His breakout performance came with his lead role as Soun Ogunola in the Yoruba epic Ogbori Elemosho, which brought him national fame and established him as a household name in traditional theatre and film.

Since 1963, Paimo featured in, produced, and directed several acclaimed Yoruba films.

Some of his notable screen appearances include Agogo Eewo (2002), The Narrow Path (2006), Moremi Ajasoro (2009), Saworoide (1999), O Le Ku (1997), The Campus Queen (2004), and Arugba (2008).

In recognition of his contributions to the Nigerian film industry, Paimo was awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005.