The Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has commiserated with the Adejumo Abogunloko family of Ijoka Ilesa, on the death of Pa Moses Olaiya aka Baba Sala.
Aregbesola’s position was contained in a statement issued in Osogbo on Tuesday by his media aide, Mr Sola Fasure.
The statement read, “I received the news of the death of Pa Moses Olaiya aka Baba Sala, with a deep and irreplaceable sense of loss. He has been in our prayers since he battled with ailments arising from old age for some time now. His death is significant in that he has gone to rest with his Lord permanently.
“Nevertheless, his exit signified an end to his own brand of comedy, which no one can rival or beat. His death has therefore left a yawning gap in the theatre arena in the country.
“Pa Moses Olaiya Adejumo was undoubtedly a theatre veteran, a comedian par excellence and a humour merchant of no mean feat.
“He was a multi-talented artiste whose works straddled music, theatre and comedy. He had a travelling theatre troupe, performing in concerts, got his works recorded on vinyl and LP albums, cassettes, cartridge, celluloid, CD, video CD and DVD. He was also an entrepreneur, with significant investments in entertainment, hotels and recreation.
“He would forever be remembered for his creativity, dramatic simplicity, far-reaching and rib-cracking humour.
“His humour is clean, elevating, uplifting, philosophical and borne out of wisdom. You can hardly watch him without laughing and getting highly elated. He was a harbinger of good fortune: he made people forget their sorrow through his talent.
“His death certainly has left a gap too huge to be covered in the immediate subsequent years without him.
“On behalf of myself, the government and people of Osun, I send our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended family of the late dramatist, the paramount ruler of Ìjesa Land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, and the association of theatre practitioners in the country.