What Colleagues Say About Alade Aromire, 48 Hours To Burial

Aromire, who died on Friday, 4 July, in an auto crash along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway, has been described by his colleagues as a pacesetter and silent achiever.

The death of Alade, who produced the first Yoruba film on VHS, has however been described as a colossal loss to the movie industry and Nigeria at large.

According to the National President of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners, Prince Jide Kosoko, “I hereby express shock and sorrow at the news of the passing of my brother and notable pioneer of Nigeria's home video industry, Muyideen Alade Aromire.

“I had the privilege of knowing Alade very well both at public and private levels, and I can say with all authority that he was a principled, forthright, and an extraordinary gentleman committed to the development of the Nigerian Film Industry.

“At the public level, I regret the loss of such an accomplished man of such standing at a time when the country dearly needed him most.

“At the private level, I feel deep anguish at recalling some of his plans which he revealed to me the last time we spoke; the young man was to move into his own home in a few days.”

“I am also particularly saddened that Muyi, our industry role model, is one in the recent spate of untimely deaths which appear to be finding space in the Nigerian entertainment world; Music and Movie Industry alike”.

“I urge the new generation of Nigerian practitioners and young entrepreneurs to learn what they can from Alade's life; starting from his days as a very young Television Producer to his status as Founder/CEO of a transnational Cable Satellite TV station, where he expressed himself not only as a film-maker but also as a nation-builder.

I am thankful to the Almighty for the massive turnout of people from all sections of the industry on the news of Alade's home call. Alade, being a long-standing member of the ANTP, the association has instituted a committee to liaise with his family, government agencies and other groups to ensure that he is given a befitting burial.

“As I echo many people in saying that Alade shall be sorely missed, I regret that not enough documentation is being made about certain significant personages in Nigeria, with a chance that the next generation of Nigerians may miss from the heritage and legacies of people like Alade.”

Kosoko added: “I urge biographers, historians, and students of Film/TV/Theater-arts to study Alade's life, document and publish as soon as possible for the benefit of young Nigerians, and also for the records.

“I pray The Almighty grant him eternal rest, my sincere sympathy goes to Alade's family”.

Also speaking on the demise of Alade, movie producer, director and broadcaster, Dare Best-Alabi, said “there is only one word to qualify him: he was a genius. He believed that whatever he put his hands on will prosper. He broke the monopoly of film production in Nigeria, then later established Yotomi TV and made sure it is on DSTV – the first all - Yoruba station to do so.

“He came into my life at a time I was going through some difficulties. That was when he appointed me as the Director of Special duties in Yotomi TV, having known my antecedents in the film and broadcast industry.

“The last time we spoke, he told me about establishing a Radio/TV house but it is unfortunate that the dream was not fulfilled. Alade doesn't take alcohol. His best drink is coca-cola. He also liked rice and shawarma a lot.”

In her own words, veteran actress, Esther Idowu Philips, a.k.a Iya Rainbow, said “I can't still believe that he is gone because this man was too nice to die, at this time. I'm extremely bitter because he died exactly at the time when he was supposed to sit down, relax and be enjoying the fruits of his labour…”

NFC however gathered that as part of events marking Alade's burial, a documentary of his films will be shown at the Lagos Television ground (LTV8) tomorrow, 17 July. There will also be Christian and Muslim Prayer Sessions, Candle Night and Musical concert at the same venue.

On Friday, there will be a lying-in-state at the National Arts Theatre before he will be buried in his Magboro, Ogun State residence.