‘Raji Samad Olabisi’ was more than a content creator. He was a karmic mirror of Tajudeen Akanmu Koledowo, another Osogbo-born comic actor who departed early. He was a gifted wordsmith, a verbal artisan of no small measure. He was ‘SANKU’—a sharp, averagely tall genius known for his unique storytelling and comedy style.
His nickname ‘SANKU’ is not ‘SAN KU’—premature death. Following his sad demise, many have misconstrued his nickname. They assume that you cannot bear ‘SAN KU’—premature death—and live long. Olabisi did not help matters either. He dumped everything and departed the world unceremoniously.
He died on Monday at 25. He tragically passed away on September 1, 2025. He died in a car accident along the Oyo-Ogbomosho road in Ibadan. Celebrities and top content creators like Funmi Awelewa, better known as Morili Ibadan, and Mubarak Kehinde, better known as Ozain, among others, took to their social media platforms to express their shock and condole relatives of the deceased.
SANKU was a magical comic actor who created content with a combination of verbal and facial expression. His comedic abilities stem from his tongue rather than from costumes or hilarious performances. Olabisi, like his senior colleague, Tajudeen Koledowo (now dead), knew how to drive comical words into the hearts of his audience.
Was SANKU a reincarnation of Tajudeen Akanmu Koledowo? Both were averagely tall, slim, and outspoken with dramatic facial expressions. SANKU was light in complexion, while KOLEDOWO was a dark man. But these Osogbo-born comic actors seemingly shared a similar pattern of comic acts—spoken words and funny facial gestures.
SANKU, a barely literate man in his mid-twenties, did not achieve stardom cheaply. He was a soft man who sacrificed everything for comedy and recognition. His performance, like his lifetime, was short but satisfactory. Within one minute, he knew the exact word to say or facial expression to make, and you would end up laughing hysterically. He was really good.
He began his comic career in 2021 using social media. He’d post short humorous videos with minimal engagement. He never stopped uploading until 2024, when a freestyle video went popular and had over 70,000 views. He never gave up. He took advantage of the breakthrough, worked relentlessly to develop more intriguing content, and soared to prominence.
Despite several hurdles, he did not let a lack of fundamental requirements or equal opportunities drive him to commit crimes such as fraud, theft, or robbery. His tale as the son of a pepper seller who came to prominence through hard effort and consistency demonstrates that anyone may truly achieve greatness if they do not give up.
Olabisi—son of a pepper seller—has contributed positively to the history of the Yoruba movie industry, Osogbo, and Nigeria at large. He placed Osogbo—the town of tie and dye—on the worldwide map of recognition as a town that has produced and donated to the world ‘giants’ who perform immaculate comic acts without apology.
The ancient town of Dye has not only lost legends to grim reapers, but it has also lost sons and daughters who are successful in the entertainment sector. For Osogbo, the loss is much greater, and only the preservation of emerging talents from all directions can console the community.
SANKU was more than an actor. He was a reflection of greatness and proof that perseverance and hard work enable success. In these days of torn moral fabric, where young people do not harvest their talents and result in fraud, SANKU has shown us all that you can live in the midst of wolves and still become a sheep.
As we bid him farewell on his journey to eternity, SANKU—son of a pepper seller—will be forever remembered as a shining light who went off unapologetically. It is indeed sad, but we console ourselves with his legacy works.
Rest on, Raji Samad Olabisi – SANKU COMEDY.
Discussion about this post