Less than a week after foremost novelist and traditional ruler, Professor Chukuemeka Ike joined the ancestors, death has struck art house again, taking veteran Yoruba actor, Toyosi Arigbabuwo.
Arigbabuwo passed on Monday evening and was buried on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
TCN learnt that the actor, who also sold live goats at Oranyan Market in Ibadan, for several years, had been poorly for over six months.
Apart from acting and trading, the artist was also a devout Muslim who promoted Islam.
He was the Public Relations Officer of the Muslim Community in Apete-Awotan-Ayegun and environs in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Commenting on Arigbabuwo’s demise, actress Feyikemi Niyi-Olayinka, said that she knew him from way back in Ibadan when he used to visit his relatives that lived in her neighbourhood.
“He was an easy-going and humble man who visited his relatives staying in our neighbourhood opposite The Polytechnic, Ibadan, regularly. We used to see him on TV a lot, but we also saw him in the flesh whenever he came to visit his relatives behind my grandmother’s house. He was a normal person that related well with everyone, my grandmother inclusive. May his soul rest in peace.”
Also speaking about the deceased, the Ibadan-based actor and producer, Ademola Aremu expressed regrets over his passing. He said that though they never worked together, he respected him a lot.
“He was among the veterans we saw on TV when we were growing up. He had such a rich mastery of the Yoruba language and was always a delight. Sadly, we didn’t do any project together until I heard of his death this morning. May Allah grant him Aljana Firdaus.”
The late Arigbabuwo featured in many Yoruba movies including Chief Lere Paimo’s ‘Ogbori Elemosho’ and ‘Bashorun Gaa’ among others.