Veteran Nollywood Ifa Priestess Orisabunmi, Dead At 60

Veteran Yoruba actress Orisabunmi, who became popular through her well-interpreted roles as an Ifa priestess, has died at the age of 60.

Born Folake Aremu, the Kwara native dies four months after the death of her ex-husband, Jimoh Aliu, who was popularly known as Aworo.

President of the Theatre Arts And Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr. Latin, confirmed she died on Tuesday night in a message sent to newsmen on Wednesday morning.

“It is so sad we lost a Priceless Jewel, a very rare gem in the Nigerian film industry, Chief Mrs. Folakemi Aremu, aka Orisabunmi, to the cold hands of death last night.

Mr. Latin confirmed Orisabunmi died at 11 pm after a brief illness.

“Though good people die every day yet not all of them affirm for us the goodness in humanity the way Orisabunmi did.

“She passed away leaving a legacy of positive experiences for anyone who took the time to know her.

“If Oratory is the Masterful Art, the world will surely miss Orisabunmi for her talent. She was an orator who would perfectly chant eloquently with her resounding sonorous voice.

“Iya Oosa, we will surely miss you.

“Burial arrangement will be announced soon,” Mr. Latin’s statement added.

Orisabunmi rose to prominence in the 80s for her roles as a priestess, pacifist, or the good witch in movies. She has played some iconic roles like ‘Asabi’ in “Oluwerimagboojo”, and the priestess in “Ayanmo Eda”.