Nollywood celebrities recently came together to celebrate the remarkable milestone of veteran actor Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, popularly known as “Baba Agbako,” as he turned 100 years old.
However, amidst the joyous occasion, doubts have been raised by a Nigerian public analyst based in New York, Dr. Ademola Bello, regarding Agbako’s claimed centenarian status.
Born on February 19, 1923, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Sanyaolu’s journey to stardom began in Lagos State in 1953. He started his career as a mechanic at Tinubu Square and was also an amateur boxer before venturing into acting. Known for his action roles in Yoruba films, Sanyaolu has become a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry.
Dr. Ademola Bello, in a statement received by THE QUEST TIMES, expressed his skepticism regarding Agbako’s age. Bello highlighted that inconsistencies surrounding Sanyaolu’s real age have persisted since the 1980s when he gained popularity under the moniker “Agbako.”
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Bello also drew attention to the fact that Sanyaolu was trained by the late Yoruba veteran actor Akin Ogungbe, who himself had uncertainties about his own birthdate.
He said, “I know Alhaji Abdulsalam Sanyaolu ( AKA Charles Olumo, or Agbako) is old but I am not buying it that he is 100 years old. There have been inconsistencies surrounding his real age since the 1980s when he became popular with the moniker Agbako.
“Baba Agbako as he is now called was trained by the late Yoruba veteran actor Akin Ogungbe. ( Ogungbe also trained Jimoh Aliu who had claimed in the past he was born in 1934 or 1939, Ogungbe also trained I Show Pepper who was born in 1942).
“When Ogungbe died some years ago, his family claimed he was born in 1934. Ogungbe didn’t know his date of birth. I think Ogungbe was closer in age to the late Alagba Adebayo Faleti.
“Faleti at various points had claimed to be born in either 1921,1922, or 1930 respectively. When he died, his family claimed he was born in either 1921 or 1922.