Yomi Obileye: Tributes Pour In For Veteran Actor

Colleagues, friends, and fans of veteran actor, Chief Yomi Obileye, who passed on to the great beyond yesterday have been paying tributes to the respected thespian.

Chief Obileye who was the elder brother to another actor, Mr. Taiwo Obileye of the Chief Daddy fame, breathed his last yesterday morning.
Although he lived in Ibadan, he gave up the ghost in Lagos where he was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.

Mr. Taiwo Obileye confirmed the death to TCN yesterday and expressed shock and sadness over the loss of his look-alike brother.

A respected actor and close associate of Chief Obileye, Mr. Bimbo Manuel said: “Booda (Brother) Yomi as I called him was one of the major reasons I wanted to be an actor. He was suave, laughed easily, and infectiously. He recommended me to Prof. Ola Rotimi to read Creative Arts in University if Part Harcourt. I remember him for having a firm word when anyone stepped out of line but never an abusive language. He was a cultured, brilliant actor, confident style and fun to be with.”

Similarly, the founder of The Coliseum, Mr. ken Calens Olumhese, popularly called The Guvnor, told TCN that Chief Obileye will be missed in the arts circle. “Although I am closer to his younger brother, Mr. Taiwo Obileye, Chief (Yomi Obileye) was also our friend and a great actor. He lived mostly in Ibadan but was always a delightful guy. The arts world will miss him.”

Ace director, Mr. Tade Ogidan, who directed Chief Obileye in Hostages in the 90s told TCN “Chief Obileye was a great man.”
For the President of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Lagos State Chapter, Chief Obileye was “brave when bravery was needed.”
Frontline comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, who took to his Instagram page to pen an emotional tribute said:

“If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, we would walk right up to heaven and bring you back again. Rest in Peace, Uncle Yomi Obileye. Thanks for the memories. I can’t help but want to watch “HOSTAGES” again. Sleep well Egbon and May God give your family and fans the fortitude to bear the loss” he wrote.

One of Chief Obileye’s fans who identified himself as Emmanuel Kachi said he became a fan of Tinsel, a soap opera because of Yomi Obileye.

“I am a good fan of Tinsel because of this man. I so adore the way he carries himself in the movie. Rest in Peace. RIP” he wrote.

Another fan, Don Duke praised him for playing whatever role he is asked to play perfectly.

“Oh a great Man who understood his role perfectly have gone to rest, Rest in Peace, Sir” he also wrote.

Chief Obileye, who was oftentimes confused with his younger brother, featured in films like Tade Ogidan’s Hostages and Yinka Ogundaisi’s Unforgiven as well as television series like Palace and Taste of Love by Micro Media.