Movie actor, Pastor Ajidara, dies without collecting his N4m entitlements

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By Olusola AJIBIKE (Abeokuta)

NIGERIA: POPULAR film actor, Adeshina Adesanya, is dead.

The 62-year-old Adesanya, who became famous for his role as Pastor Ajidara, died Saturday night of kidney failure at the Mercy Hospital, Panseke area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The death of Adesanya came barely 24 hours after his fellow film makers launched campaign to raise N15 million for his kidney transplant at the time the Ogun State government owed him N4 million of his retirement benefits.

Adesanya, whose kidney failure began with the severity of the injury he suffered in the auto crash in 2012, had retired from the Ogun State judiciary on July 2, 2015, but was yet to collect his benefits till his death.

“Yes, he’s dead, I just left the hospital few minutes ago,” Mr. Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as ‘Mr. Latin’, told GatewayMail, adding: “He died at Mercy Hospital around past 11pm.”

He lamented: “He was a discipline man, we tried to raise fund individually but was in the process of involving government when he died.  Together with online supports we were able to get some funds.”

Similarly, Yomi Fash-Lanso confirmed the death of Adesanya, who was the Governor of the Ogun State chapter of the Theatre Art and Movie Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).

“Yes,” Fash-Lanso, who earlier broke the news of the fund campaign to our correspondent, managed to respond to GatewayMail enquiry.

While responding to the death, a popular radio presenter, Adeyinka Adegbite lamented the death of the Ijebu born actor.

Adegbite, popularly known as ‘Omo Baba Tisa’, said: “As usual, it is a great loss to entertainment and the nation as whole, but a lot of lessons imbedded his death. There are many questions we need to ask ourselves: how do we take care of our health? What type of food do we eat, dead or living foods? Does our life style promote good health?”

“Some people still believe that alcohol and smoking are the cause of kidney failure, no but it may be major,” Adeyinka said, adding: “And in this part of the world, if anyone has kidney failure and he does not smoke or indulge in alcohol, the next allegation is the spiritual attack.”

“They have forgotten that paracetamol is another factor which causes kidney damage,” he stressed.

While speaking on the late actor, his wife, Atinuke, said that her husband’s sickness began shortly after an auto crash in 2012.‎

She explained that the family’s breadwinner was going to Sagamu to resume work when the auto crash occurred and was subsequently admitted at a private hospital.

Atinuke stressed that few days after on admission her husband began urinating blood and was later referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, where he was admitted.

She added that after months of treatment, Pastor Ajidara was discharged and placed on drugs as out-patient‎.

According to her, the retired judiciary worker was religiously using the drugs until last February 8 when his health suddenly deteriorated and had to be rushed back to Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

But, Atinuke said that it was at the hospital that the shocking news was broken that medical examination showed that Adesanya’s two kidneys had been severely damaged and must commence dialysis treatment that will cost N120,000 per session, at a private hospital.

It was in the process of this and attempt to raise fund that her husband died, she lamented.

However, as at the time of filing this report, sympathizers have besieged Adesanya’s home in Abeokuta, to commiserate with the family, while arrangements have started to deposit the corpse in the morgue, in preparatory for final burial.

Last Friday, Fash-Lanso had told GatewayMail that Adesanya, needed N15 million to enable him undergo kidney transplant to save his life.

“Pastor Ajidara’s operation will cost N15,000,000 (fifteen million naira),” Fash-Lanso stressed, adding that he joined the late Adesanya’s wife in the campaign to raise fund for his erstwhile co-actor.

Fash-Lanso in an earlier post had said: “Please I’m so sorry to disturb you with this request for I know it’s truly none of your business, but if you find it good in your heart kindly lend a help hand.”

“I don’t do this often, but at times critical issues needs quick attention.  Just like the man in the picture – a Nigerian film actor – Mr. Adeshina Adesanya, popularly known as Pastor Ajidara, from the film Abela Pupa needs quick attention,” the film artiste pleaded.

He stressed: “He’s seriously sick with kidney failure and in need of financial aid from me and you.  No amount is too small even if it’s N100.”

The artiste stated that for those willing to help, they should pay into Mrs. Atinuke Adesanya’s account with Skye Bank number 1761765273.

While shedding more lights on the sick actor, Fash-Lanso told GatewayMail: “He’s at Mercy Hospital beside Adesba Hotel around Panseke in Abeokuta.  He’s (been) placed in dialysis now every two days.”

He explained that the illness has not just started, but that Adesanya has been battling the kidney problem for long without raising much noise about it.

“He’s been on it for years with the family attending to his needs and bills coupled with help from friends and relatives, but its eaten deep into their pockets reason why they are seeking for assistance from all corners,” Fash-Lanso stressed.

He maintained: “This broadcast was initiated by his wife otherwise we wouldn’t have done this.”

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