Veteran actor, Lere Paimo, aka Eda Onileola, dispels a rumour that he is down with stroke, writes AKEEM LASISI
A natural actor such as Lere Paimo is often married to the stage forever. That is why the Ogbomoso, Oyo State-born legend popularly called Eda Onile Ola has ruled the stage and screen for more than 50 years. And his talent is still asking for more.
Many of his fans, however, became nervous in the past few days, following some reports that the actor, producer, director, chanter and singer, who broke into limelight decades ago when he produced Ogbori Elemoso, is currently bed-ridden.
Indeed, he was reported (not in The PUNCH) that he had been hit by a partial stroke.
One of the pieces stressed, “The 71-year old Lere Paimo has been bedridden for over three months now and has been at the mercy of few of his colleagues who have been taking care of him.”
When our correspondent first spoke with another seasoned Yoruba actor, Kareem Adepoju, otherwise called Baba Wande, on the phone on Thursday, he denied knowledge of such a development. According to him, even if Eda had some fever not long go, he has since recovered.
Eda himself affirmed the recovery story in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday evening. He said categorically that he was not down with stroke and that although he was initially indisposed, he had since been back on his feet.
“I have returned to work. I have even been driving,” he noted.
After having starred in many films, Paimo, who transited from the stage to screen when the contemporary film regime started especially in the 1990s, had remained active on the scene. When our correspondent spoke with him last October, he (actor) was on location playing a role in a film being shot in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He had noted that although pirates were giving film makers hell, life had to continue as it would be suicidal to succumb to the temptation to quit.
Recalling how a group of stakeholders had organised a prayer session against the pirates’ antics, he had said, “The worst headache that we have now is piracy. We were all there for the prayer. Pirates are bent on destroying our business. They are reaping where they do not sow. So, all of us were there to seek divine intervention. Chief Ebenezer Obey was there. Jide Kosoko and others were there.”
Despite the challenge, Eda, who also bagged a lifetime award at the maiden edition of the Yoruba Academy Movie Awards held in Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2012, is still very hungry for location and the screen. He had a new film due for release then. It featured Jimoh Aliu, Baba Wande, Ajoke Asewo to re Mecca, among other divas.
Part of the reasons for the anxiety that greeted the rumoured stroke attack is that several celebrities have, in recent years, suffered the condition. While juju singer-turned evangelist, Idowu Animashaun, on Sunday, recalled how he had one but got healed within 10 days last year, some other people were not so lucky.
Experts say high blood pressure, smoking, a fat stomach, poor diet, lack of physical activity, high levels of bad cholsterol, diabetes, too much alcohol, stress and depression and heart disorders account for many cases of stroke attacks.
Defined as a condition in which the brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen, an online sources also notes that this can be caused by an obstruction in the blood flow, or the rupture of an artery that feeds the brain.
“The patient may suddenly lose the ability to speak, there may be memory problems, or one side of the body can become paralysed,” it adds.
Of course, based on the fact that many Nigerian entertainers, especially film makers, are facing financial depression, due to the structural problems in the industry, it seems to be a time for government and other relevant institutions to establish an endowment fund for the industry so that a veteran such as Eda, and other practitioners can benefit from it.