Yoruba Legendary movie actor,‘Baba Sala’ as popularly known by fans was born on May 18, 1936. He hailed from Ijesha, Osun State. As an actor, his stage name is ‘Baba Sala’.
The real name of Baba Sala is Mr. Moses Olaiya Adejumo. I know this veteran and ace actor as a musician, dramatist cum comedian. Baba Sala can also be regarded as one of the fathers if not even the grand-father of the modern Nigerian comedians.
He always sings in a spectacular way in all his movies. Hardly you will watch any of his movies without singing in it due to his passion for music.
There were other popular actors and actresses who used to showcase in his film. The likes of Iya Sala and late Adisa (as called in the movies) used to called him ‘Lamidi’. One could not actually say if this Adisa (stage name) was a friend or an apprentice of Baba Sala due to their good relationship.
Karounwi as popularly called in one of Baba Sala’s movie named ‘Orun-mooru’ was a big budget movie recorded on Celluloid which was later pirated into VHS home video then. The piracy of this film cost Baba Sala a lot of havoc which if not for God and his bravery, could have led to one’s death. Thank God Baba Sala is still alive today while the pirate of the movie – ‘Orun Mooru’ is no more alive.
Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) was a friend to Late Oyin Adejobi – the creator of “Ile Iwosan” a Yoruba home movies series aired on the then Television Station Of Oyo State (TSOS) later changed to Broadcasting Corporation Of Oyo State (because).
He was also an actor alongside a father of actors (especiall Yoruba genre) Hubert Ogunde, the producer and owner of the then ‘Aye’, ‘Jaiyesimi’. Hubert Ogunde, apart from the fact that he was an actor, he was also a musician. He composed and sang ‘Onimoto rora sare o, Onimoto rora gbesele….’. He also sang ‘Yoruba yo yo yo bi Ina ale, Yoruba ru ru ru bi omi okun, Yoruba baba ni baba nse’ and lots more.
Baba Sala was also a friend to Kola Ogunmola – the father of Peju Ogunmola also known as Peju Omobolanle (Pa Aluwe’s wife) and late Ayo Ogunmola (of blessed memory, a film producer and film director during his life time). Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) was also a friend of late Duro Ladipo, the producer of ‘Sango’ (of that time), ‘Oruka ife’ and others.
Late Ishola Ogunsola (of blessed memory) popularly known as Isho-Peppe was also an actor alongside Baba Sala. Lere Paimo (still alive) and lots more.
A movie produced for TV station by Baba Sala is ‘Obe gbona’ out of many and the movies for cinema are ‘Aare Agbaye’, ‘Orun Mooru’, ‘Mosebolatan’. Mosebolatan was a film produced after the pirated ‘Orun Mooru’ where he showcased the late magician – Professor Peller.
For many people who do not know, Baba Sala started his career as show business as a musician of ‘High life’ as far back as 1964 under a brand name of a band known as ‘Federal Rhythm Dandies’. Through this band, he tutored and guided the master and the King of Juju music(ians) – Prince Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA) who played the role of ‘Lead Guitar’ in Baba Sala’s music band.
Baba Sala is married and gave birth to children. He is also a grand father. Among his children are Emmanuel Adejumo, Adedamola Adejumo – the producer of evergreen song ‘Oluwa mi mohun ti o se, Jesu mi mo’hun ti yo se….’
The moral of this is that whatever your hands find to do, do it with your whole heart, with your whole mind and might for in that grave, you could do but nothing.