Veteran actor Sadiq Daba is dead

VETERAN actor, Sadiq Daba, has died.

Daba, who became a household in Nigeria for his role as Bitrus in the NTA drama series Cock Crow at Dawn, passed away this evening at his Marwa Garden residence in Alausa, Lagos State.

Daba was diagnosed with leukaemia and prostate cancer in 2017. He reached out to the public for financial assistance for medical treatment in October 2019. President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Joe Okei-Odumakin, disclosed then in an Instagram post that Daba’s health had taken a nosedive. She was supported in the fund-raising campaign by the broadcaster Soni Irabor and and journalist, Azuka Jebose.

This plea came three months after billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, announced he would take over the medical expenses of the actor who had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

With the support he received from the public, Daba who also worked for many years with the national televisions station, travelled to London for treatment

Daba’s last major acting project was in Kunle Afolayan’s Citation released in 2020. He had also played a major role in the producer’s highly successful October 1 film project, which relaunched his acting career after so many years of near total absence.

There were reports last year that Daba was on the verge of losing his sight.

Since his passing was announced, the media space has been filled with a gale of tributes by his colleagues and fans.

One of such is by the renowned theatre designer, teacher of creative arts, and former deputy vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Duro Oni, who wrote:

“He (Daba) fought hard. Great Actor and a good man from Cockcrow at Dawn to Kanta of Kebbi and all the way to October 1… May his gentle soul rest in peace and may God comfort the family he left behind … Amin.”

Renowned filmmaker, Tunde Kelani said: “The sudden news of Sadiq’s passing is shocking! This is a monumental loss. What a fight! We shall miss him but can never forget him. May the good Lord give his family, friends, the industry, and our country Nigeria the fortitude to bear this loss. May his gentle and cheerful soul rest in peace.”

Ace TV producer and actor, Yomi Layinka, sighed: “mmmmmnnn… another dazzling light flickers out of our stage after an unforgettable tour de force.”

Layinka, ex-senior media aide to the former Oyo State Governor, Isiaka Ajimobi (late) continued:

“Sadiq was simply one of the best to have graced our screens.

“An exemplary actor’s actor, I had the great privilege of working closely with him as co-stars, sharing intensely dramatic scenes with him in the 1999 Mnet movie ‘A Place Called Home’, directed by Mahmood Alli-Balogun. Gracious to a fault, he always made me feel special thereafter with his unending accolades – even though he was the creative belt on which I gladly ran on that project.

“Sadiq, now that you’ve transited to the great beyond, be rest assured that I’ll forever clutch on to the memories of your occasional calls and Facebook messages and messenger nudges – in the sure knowledge that someday, somehow, we’ll eventually meet to review our performances before our respective final calls.

“My bro, I am very proud to have once shared a set with you – one of the very best flowers in the garden of our season. Rest well, my brother🌹❤️

“Iba to the inimitable one that’s gone ahead 🙌🏽”

Actor and journalist, Edmond Enaibe, wrote:

“Sadiq Daba loved life so much and fought hard to live for as long as he could. He lived long enough as he could. He made his fight to live life a rallying point to celebrate life. He asked for love to ameliorate the pains of the health battles of his later days and got it aplenty in box loads of different shades of affection. He will never be forgotten because his body of works in pictures ensures that. His lively spirit, affectionate smile, unrivalled humour and the true Thespian/Broadcaster that he epitomised will linger.
“Rest in peace Sadiq Daba, fta, the man who made “Bitrus” the next door neighbour. May God console his family during this moments of grief.”