- Popular storyteller, actor, musician and poet, Jimi Solanke is dead.
- He is said to have died on Monday morning, February 5.
- Jimi Solanke was 82, and passed on after a brief illness.
One of Nigeria’s top cultural icons, Jimi Solanke is dead.
Reports claim the 82 year old dramatist, folk singer, plawright and poet passed on in the early hours of today, Monday, February 5 after a brief illness.
He died en route the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
Born on July 4, 1942, in Ipara Remo, Jimi Solanke’s artistic journey began as a pioneer member of the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by the renowned Wole Soyinka, in 1961.
His contributions to the global entertainment industry spanned seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on various platforms, from the Western Nigeria Television in the 1960s to international festivals in Senegal and Algeria during the 1970s.
Solanke’s versatility shone through in epic performances such as “Death and the King’s Horseman,” “Kurunmi,” “Kongi’s Harvest,” “The Divorce,” and “Ovaramwen Nogbaisi.”
Jimi Solanke’s captivating stagecraft and theatrical brilliance earned him accolades and recognition, both locally and internationally.
Affectionately known as Baba Agba, Solanke was more than just an actor; he was a consummate quintessential songwriter, performer, visual artist, and storyteller extraordinaire.
Jimi Solanke is survived by his wife, Chief Mrs. Toyin Solanke, and his passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian entertainment, leaving a void that will be felt for years to come.
The cultural ambassador extraordinaire has left an indomitable imprint on the history of African arts and will be remembered for his contributions to the enrichment of the nation’s cultural heritage.
The veteran actor claimed he did what he did because the president has been good to him, especially when he had a serious health issue.
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