By Sola Ojewusi
The Yoruba cultural world was thrown into deep mourning today with the passing of veteran comic actor, poet, editor, and Yoruba language impresario, Chief Muritala Oyewole Olowomojuore, fondly known across Nigeria and beyond as “Baba Gebu.” He died this afternoon after a brief illness.
Chief Olowomojuore, a revered son of Ile-Ife and co-founder of the famous Ife Klub-1, leaves behind a towering legacy in theatre, journalism, film, literature and the promotion of Yoruba culture.
A Cultural Titan Bows Out
Born and raised in the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, Ile-Ife, Oyewole was an old student of the prestigious Oduduwa College, where his love for language, performance and culture began to blossom.
He would later rise to national prominence in the late 1970s and 80s as Editor of ATOKA, the iconic Yoruba photo-drama magazine published by Academy Press, Ilupeju, Lagos. ATOKA became a staple in Yoruba households, celebrated for its rich storytelling tradition—largely because of Oyewole’s sharp creativity and deep understanding of Yoruba humour and folklore.
Leaving Lagos, he moved to Ibadan and fully embraced the stage, where he became one of the top-rated actors of his generation. His charisma and signature comic flair earned him the stage name “Baba Gebu”, cementing his status as a household name in Yoruba travelling theatre and Nollywood.
He was, to many younger actors, a mentor; to his peers, a pillar of the dramatic arts; and to countless Yoruba speakers worldwide, a custodian of language and tradition.
A Pillar of Ife, a Father in Nollywood
The announcement from Ife Klub-1, the socio-cultural group he co-founded with Ahmed Omisore in 1977, described him as “a patriot and internationally acclaimed popular star… a superstar in the Theatre and Nollywood industry.”
Members of the club recount his brilliance, humour, discipline and unwavering devotion to the cultural upliftment of Ile-Ife and the Yoruba nation.
“He was not just a performer,” one member said. “He was an embodiment of the Yoruba spirit — witty, wise, colourful and deeply rooted.”
Final Journey Begins Tomorrow
Chief Oyewole Olowomojuore’s remains will be interred tomorrow at his Ibadan residence, where he spent decades shaping theatre, nurturing talents, and enriching Yoruba storytelling on stage and screen.
His departure leaves a painful void — in Ile-Ife, in Nollywood, in Yoruba literature and performance, and across cultural institutions where his voice, humour, and wisdom once reigned.
A Legacy That Will Live Forever
As news of his death spreads, tributes continue to pour in from filmmakers, actors, journalists, historians, cultural custodians and fans. Many describe him as a bridge between the old travelling theatre era and the modern Nollywood generation.
He lived for the arts.
He lived for his people.
He lived for Yoruba language, humour and identity.
Today, the curtain falls — but the echoes of his performance will never fade.
