BON Awards organiser names comedy category after Baba Sala

The organisers of the

The change is coming days after the death of the veteran comedian, musician and actor, who passed away in his sleep in his Ijesa home, Osun State.

In a statement by the Head of the Best of Nollywood Jury, Niran Adedokun, organisers explained that the award will now be known as the Moses Adejumo Comedy of the Year Award.

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The decision, Adedokun said, is in recognition the contributions that the late veteran artiste made to the development of comedy and movie in Nigeria.

Adedokun also noted that Bala Sala was a total performer whose early investments in the alongside many of his contemporaries laid the foundation for the increasingly growing entertainment industry.

“Being Nigeria’s leading homegrown and home focused movie awards, the Best of Nollywood Awards honours the memory of this great man and have decided to name our comedy awards after him. It is the least that we can do as a Nigerian award even though we understand that he deserves much more and hope that our government will consider immortalizing him in some way," the statement offered.

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Adedokun, on behalf of BON awards, expressed the condolences of the organisers of the award to the Adejumo family urging them to take solace in the enviable legacy of the late filmmaker.

Baba Sala dead at 83

The veteran actor, singer and comedian was born Moses Adejumo but widely referred to as Baba Sala - a character he once played in one of his many productions.

Baba Sala died in his Ilesa hometown in Osun State on Sunday evening, October 7, 2018.

In 2015, Baba Sala turned 80 and after his birthday celebration, he was admitted into the University College Hospital in Ibadan as his health deteriorated.The news sparked off rumours that he had passed on but few months after, he was discharged with the hospital bills paid by UCH.

In 2017, there were rumours of his death but this was dispelled by one of his sons, who addressed newsmen over the health of his dad.