Legendary actor, folk singer, Jimi Solanke passes on at 81

By Paul Dada

Legendary poet,  playwright, folk singer and actor, Chief  Jimi Solanke is dead.

Solanke who was the anchor of the popular children’s TV show in the 80s, Storyland died on Monday morning at the age of 81.

Solanke, it was learnt, had been visiting the hospital frequently since December because of an illness. He reportedly died while being rushed to Babcock University Teaching Hospital on Monday morning.

The lawmaker  representing Remo North State Constituency at the state Assembly, Dickson Awolaja, confirmed his death on Monday afternoon. Also confirming his death in a statement was the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

The folk singer  who died  just 59 days to his 82nd birthday,  was born on July 4, 1942, in Ipara Remo.  He was a pioneer member of the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by the renowned Wole Soyinka, in 1961.

He was involved in epic plays such as  “Death and the King’s Horseman,” “Kurunmi,” “Kongi’s Harvest,” “The Divorce,” and “Ovaramwen Nogbaisi.”