Actor Adebayo Salami nearly quit acting over accusations of killing mentor and his wife

Veteran Nigerian actor Adebayo Salami, widely known as Oga Bello, has disclosed that he contemplated abandoning his acting career after facing severe accusations related to the deaths of his mentor, Ojo “Baba Mero” Ladipo, and Ladipo’s wife.

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My saddest day on earth was when my boss, Baba Mero, died. There were other sad days as well, but that was the worst. The circumstances that led to his death were a lot to bear; he was sick for a long time, and people were saying a lot of things about me regarding the sickness and his eventual death.

Salami described the period following their deaths as the darkest of his career, admitting the allegations left him emotionally devastated and questioning his future in the profession. The accusations intensified after the death of Baba Mero’s wife seven years after her husband’s passing. Salami recounted the immense emotional toll, stating, “There was nothing people didn’t say about me. I was accused of killing them and doing a lot of things to the family and the theatre group.”

Baba Mero, a pioneer of Yoruba travelling theatre, founded the Young Concert Party, which evolved into the Awada Kerikeri Theatre Group. He died in 1978 after a prolonged illness, and his wife, Iya Mero, passed away seven years later. Following their deaths, Salami assumed leadership of the theatre group.

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There was nothing people didn’t say about me. I was accused of killing them and doing a lot of things to the family and the theatre group.

Despite the overwhelming accusations, Salami decided against quitting acting permanently, thanks to the intervention of another Nigerian theatre icon, Hubert Ogunde. Ogunde, a mentor figure to Salami, learned of his decision to leave the profession shortly after Iya Mero’s burial. He summoned Salami, who confirmed his intention to quit. Ogunde then offered words of encouragement, reminding Salami that facing tribulations often leads to elevation.

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I was told you said you’re not doing theatre again. I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He asked what had happened. I explained everything to him, and he said, ‘What has my eyes seen? Don’t I know that my problems will be as great as my success? Anybody who faces tribulations gets elevated.’