SISI QUADRI was a drama phenomenon. Sisi Quadri, also known as Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, has passed away. He died of kidney-related issues at the age of 45. Despite his health struggles, he never missed the spotlight. He was always ready to portray an insulting personality in movies, including social media skits, to entertain people. If Death had wanted a hundred comic words to serve as appeasement for wadding off his stick, Sisi Quadri would have given a thousand.
He was a man of raw talent, hard work, and determination. If Death and Sisi Quadri were to engage in jaw words to determine his fate and that of his mother, the former would have willingly run away while the latter would become immortal. Sadly, talent and hard work cannot overcome death. The likes of Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Pa Ogunde, Gbenga Adeboye, and others would have lived forever. Money and power cannot defeat death. The likes of Moshood Abiola Kasimawo Olawale, Sani Abacha, and Queen Elizabeth would have become immortals. Tell the rich, the poor, the famous, the unknown, the powerful, and the weak that they won’t escape death.
Sisi Quadri’s passing is a tragic loss for Nollywood and a greater loss for Nigeria’s comic industry. His story was an inspiring one. He never aspired to be a star actor. His father wanted him to become a popular Islamic preacher, but he loved fashion and acting. He went to Arabic school in his quest to fulfill his father’s wishes, but destiny later prevailed. He proceeded to learn cloth design for four years before he was handed over to Toyin Olaiya, his mentor, by the elder brother of his father.
He joined the Yoruba film industry in 2000 as a random teenager carelessly running mouths and living through make-up design in film locations. He had been featured in movies either as part of a crowd or in two scenes before he was discovered as a talent. He later traveled to Lagos State, where he was opportuned to meet many celebrities and started the business of filmmaking wholly.
Tolani Oyebamiji, while disclosing how he became Sisi Quadri, stated that “it was Alhaja Yinka Oluaye who introduced me to makeup and acting that gave me the name. She would always call me Sisi Quadri because I behave like a woman. At first, I didn’t like the name and would fight back at people when they called me that. But when they were persistent, I had no option but to accept it as my nickname.”.
Three years later, he appeared in a movie titled ‘Seranko Seniyan’, which was released in 2004. The movie where he acted as a ‘notorious insulting personality’ shot him into fame. He rose from being a struggling make-up artist to an award-winning comic actor. He appeared in several movies, such as Koto Orun and Eran Iya Osogbo, among others, produced by the late Alhaji Yekini Ajileye.
Ajileye was a backbone to many Osun-based actors in the late 1900s and early 2000s. He made Osogbo a home for home videos, and actors like Abeni Agbon, Ogunjimi, Ibeji Ide, and Sisi Quadri were able to climb the ladder of fame. When Ajileye died, there was an unusual depletion of talents, and only a few were able to survive the tide. For Sisi Quadri, he abandoned acting for fashion, his first love.
In an interview with THE PUNCH, Sisi Quadri, when asked by a reporter if he would have loved to be a Muslim cleric if he were not acting, disclosed, “No, I won’t. If I weren’t acting, I would remain a fashion designer because I enjoy the job a lot. I had a passion for it from childhood, and it made me take my time to master the skill.”.
Ajileye’s demise was a big blow for the Yoruba film industry, especially Osun-based actors. In 2020, Sisi Quadri was exclusively brought back to the limelight after he featured in a movie titled ‘Eebudola’ that was produced by Funmi Awelewa, also known as Morili. His performance in the movie was so good that actors and film producers flocked to cast him. He appeared in several films, such as Big Brother Ibadan, Ololade Mrs. Money, Toko Taya, and many more. As a result of his sterling performance and uncommon acceptability, well-known content creators like Mr. Macaroni, Edem Victor, Woli Agba, Brodashaggi, Pastor Remote, and others featured him in their skits.
When I watched ‘Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre’, I saw the sterling performance of Sisi Quadri alongside Biola Ibadan and Layi Wasabi as ghosts in the blockbuster movie. Quadri, whose story from stage to home video to Netflix—an international stage—was inspiring, did not wait to enjoy the gains and extra love that come with the new dimension. His appearances in the blockbuster’s movie, Anikulapo, were amazingly fantastic and beautiful. That he’s no longer able to receive his flowers breaks my heart even more. Where is Saro? Where is Arolake? Where is the gourd? When will Arolake give Saro the gourd to wake Sisi Quadri from her deep slumber?
Sisi Quadri attended primary and secondary schools. He had a diploma from the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. He has a wife and two beautiful sons, namely, Hazani Olamilekan Oyebamiji and Olamide Oyebamiji. He has a large fashion store and sometimes acts as the Master of Ceremonies when he’s not acting.
Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, also known as Sisi Quadri, regrettably exited the stage when the ovation was louder. At 44, he had lived a meritorious life. As devastating and shocking as his demise might be, the consolation lies in the exemplary and meritious life he lived while on earth. Even though he had a brief stay on earth, it was amazing. Rest On! Tolani Quadri, Oyebamiji, and Sisi Quadri. A sad loss to all.