Veteran Nigerian comedian and Yoruba film icon, Chief Ayo Ogunsina, popularly known as Papalolo, has been celebrated as he turned 88 years old.
The 88th birthday celebration of Chief Ayo Ogunsina was marked with heartfelt prayers, gratitude, and appreciation for a life dedicated to entertainment, culture, and impacting generations through Yoruba films. The special moment honoured Papalolo as a symbol of wisdom, legacy, and inspiration in the Nigerian movie industry.
Papalolo is the stage name for Ayo Ogunsina, a very successful Nigerian comedian and member of the Awada Group. He performed alongside Tajudeen Gbadamosi, a.k.a Jacob, and Kayode Olaiya, a.k.a Aderupoko, on Nigerian Television for most of the 1980s. The trio are credited with leading the advancement of comedy in Nigeria in the 1970s and 80s and were among the first Nigerian comedians to release their material as albums on vinyl, including the hilarious comedy sketch “Pa Jacob Is Ku.”
He got into acting through joining the theatre group of the late theatre icon, Adedeji Hubert Ogunde, with whom he performed across the West African coast in Republic of Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Liberia in the 1960s.
Plays on Nigerian TV included the very successful comedy Owo Tabua, Plenty Money, which was syndicated on NTA, Ibadan, Lagos Television, LTV 8, and Ogun State Television, OGTV, Abeokuta.
Born in the early 1940s, Papalolo attended Wesley College, Ibadan. At 88, he remains celebrated as a living legend of African cinema.
In recent years, the veteran actor has spoken about facing financial difficulties due to lack of movie roles. He said he has not been involved in any productions for the past five years and needs help. “I need help but my Children did not want me to ask the public for help. I need a movie role so as to make money for myself,” he stated during an interview.
Despite the challenges, tributes poured in for the octogenarian, with fans and colleagues honoring his contributions to Yoruba entertainment. Messages at the celebration noted, “May God continue to bless him with good health, long life, and peace.”
