“Life is a borrowed thing.” Life is not eternal, and we will pass away someday, even if we are as intelligent as Ifa or possess hidden knowledge like Opele, a small divination tool used by Babalawos for Ifa divination. Let’s live moral lives and leave our kids with honorable reputations. Everything we do in this life will go down in history” – Chief Adedeji Aderemi Olofa Ina.
Olofa Ina, also known as Chief Aderemi Adedeji, has passed away. Despite his great versatility in Yoruba idioms, he was not spared from the terrible reaper’s fatal stroke. He was struck unexpectedly and passed away suddenly. He fought the grim reaper in a struggle for survival, and he was defeated. The same ruthless reaper who murdered his devoted parents has taken their cherished son away.
Chief Aderemi’s passing is a tragic loss for Nollywood in particular as well as the entire Yoruba race. He was a living dictionary of Yoruba proverbs and idioms. He was a fount of indigenous wisdom whose entire life was devoted to advancing Yoruba customs and culture. He made accommodations for young people and politely let them study under his tutelage.
Aderemi, also known as Olofa Ina, did not die cheaply, even though his passing might have been painful. In a nation where the average lifespan is presumably 52, he passed away at the age of 73. The argument put forth by those who said Chief Aderemi did not deserve to die—that is, that there are persons over 75—should try to wake up younger than forty from death.
Chief Aderemi is not unfamiliar with death. The stories of all the unfortunate events he either survived or missed are heartbreaking. He once said in an interview that life is a “borrowed thing” that needs to be returned. He added that life is not a perpetual state. You would be completely startled to hear Chief Aderemi’s opinions on life and death. The adaptable Yoruba scholar remarked, “Everyone is going to be dead one day, just give them time,” in agreement with English novelist and graphic novelist Neil Gaiman.
It is true that life is finite. Nothing is so powerful as to outlive death. The good news is that a person’s life ends with death; a relationship or memory is not destroyed. While Chief Aderemi Adedeji, also referred to as “Olofa Ina,” was alive, he made a lot of happy memories. He has a remarkable passion for telling our tales as a people through film, and he has an unmatched love for traditions.
Acting was Chief Aderemi Adedeji’s (also known as “Olofa Ina”) passion. In the Yoruba theater or film circles, he began as a young man with no apparent direction or privileges and ended up becoming a well-known and respected character. Baba Aderemi’s usage of Yoruba in movies is inspirational, and he gifted our screens with unmatched Yoruba idioms. Those who cherish the dialect of the most prevalent Black race are envious of him as he was a proud ambassador of the Yoruba language.
On Thursday, January 4, 2024, veteran Yoruba actor Adedeji Aderemi passed away. In Ede, Osun State, his hometown, he passed away at the age of 73. He was born on May 15, 1950, in the Jagun-Olukosi compound in Ede, Osun State, into the family of Late Chief Abdulsalam Aderemi and Late Madam Aisha Aderemi. According to the findings, he was born into the Timi of Ede Land, under the reign of the Late Oba John Adetoyese Laoye.
In 1972, he founded the Olofa Ina Theatre Group, which included the late Oyetunji of Esinnla, Erinfolami, Dasofunjo, and Gbolagade Akinpelu. Renowned in Yoruba theatrical and film circles, Olofa Ina produced several television shows, including Odetedo, Lakaaye, Kogun Maja, and Ade Oba. Until his passing, the late actor—also known as Baba Olowe—was the Sobaloju of Edeland.
Olofa Ina attended Baptist Secondary Modern School after completing his elementary schooling at St. Peters Anglican Primary School. By completing apprenticeship training in joinery and carpentry at Olukorede Furniture Industry, he broadened his skill set. He worked as a Grade II Officer for the Ministry of Works and Transport in Ibadan, Oyo State, from 1970 to 1977 in addition to his career as a carpenter.
After that, he worked at the Daladson Hotel, Jericho Reservation, Idi-Isin, Ibadan, as a maintenance officer until 1980, when he retired to devote himself full-time to the practice of theater arts.
Olofa Ina managed to juggle his acting profession with other social pursuits. He served as President of the Timi Agbale Descendants Union in Ibadan and as a member of the Positive Thinkers Club of Nigeria. In 2011, the Osun State Government honored him together with other notable artists in celebration of the state’s 20th anniversary.
His involvement in films such as Aare Kurunmi of Ijaye, Kakanfo Afonja, Ogedengbe Agbogunboro of Ilesha, Balogun Ibikunle, Basorun Ogunmola, and many more come to mind while discussing his accomplishments in the film industry. Everyone raised a toast to him because of his poise and unique ability to communicate in the vernacular.
According to findings by WITHIN NIGERIA, he passed away as a Christian, however as of the time this report was filed, it was unknown how many women and children he had. We find solace in the knowledge that this great thespian led a good life of service, even as we mourn his passing. Peacefully slumber, you outstanding thespian.