Reports that veteran Nollywood actor Olalere Paimo has passed away have been denied by the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP).
In an earlier Instagram post on Saturday, celebrity journalist and Best of Nollywood Awards Chairman Seun Oleketuyi revealed the film star’s passing.
Oleketuyi claims that Paimo, a cultural hero, survived two strokes prior to his passing.
“Chief Lere Paimo (MON) is dead,” he wrote. At age 86, Baba passed away.
“A powerful man.” Baba has twice survived a stroke.
“May the soul of Baba rest in peace.”
However, the ANTP verified that the actor, also known as Baba Eda Onile Ola, is still alive and well in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Prince Adejonwo Oluwafemi Femson, the National Public Relations Officer.
“We would like to inform the public that reports circulating on Facebook regarding the passing of Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR) are false,” the message said.
“We have verified that Baba Eda Onile Ola is still alive and in good health with his wife.
“Please ignore these untrue reports and be mindful that dishonest people are spreading them.”
ANTP cautioned against the dissemination of false information and advised the public to authenticate information before disseminating unverified news.
According to the statement, “We urge everyone to verify information before sharing to avoid spreading misinformation.”
