Motunrayo ‘Iwalewa’ Charles, the devoted daughter of the late veteran actor Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, affectionately known in the entertainment world as Charles Olumo and Agbako shared her poignant experience of caring for her father during his twilight years.
Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, whose impactful career spanned decades and who was revered for his incredible portrayals of tough characters on screen, passed away peacefully at home at the remarkable age of 101.
His death occurred on Thursday, October 31, at his residence in Oniboku, located in the Atan-Ota region of the Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
By Islamic rites, his burial was carried out on the same day. Reflecting on the sacrifices made during her father’s later years, Iwalewa disclosed to Saturday Beats that she had to put her acting career on hold to ensure that her father received the care and attention he needed.
She expressed her thoughts on what the government should do to support her father’s family, stating, “The government should do whatever it deems fit for the family. They should recognize that the person who dedicated their time to care for the old man, as I did, has been unable to pursue any other endeavours. As an actress, I haven’t been able to go to any film locations for four years because I prioritized his welfare.
Hence, the family should receive appropriate support, and those who cared for him should also be well taken care of.”
In a deeply emotional recount of her father’s final moments, Iwalewa clarified that contrary to some circulating rumours, Agbako did not pass away on a film set; rather, he departed this world in his home, cradled in his daughter’s arms.
“He died in my arms. After bathing him, I placed him in a chair and brushed his teeth. When I offered him water to rinse his mouth, he became still,” she recounted, her voice breaking with emotion.
“I laid him on the bed and tried to feed him the tea I prepared, but it spilt as I attempted to help him. I had never faced anything like that before, it was my first experience with a person’s death.
I called for assistance as rumours circulated that he died on set, but he was, in truth, at home with me.”
When asked if her father had shown any signs of his impending death or shared any premonitions, Iwalewa noted,
“He didn’t say anything at all. His illness was brief, and he passed away quickly.”
As the family prepares to commemorate Agbako’s legacy, Iwalewa mentioned plans for further funeral rites, stating,
“The memorial proceedings will culminate on the seventh day following his passing. The ceremony will take place at the same location where he celebrated his 100th birthday in the Iju-Atan area of Ogun State.”
Additionally, she touched upon the intentions of her father’s colleagues in the film industry to celebrate his life.
“We had a meeting with the family on Thursday night, and they expressed their eagerness to honour my father. They are keen to support us and will coordinate their plans once we conclude our arrangements. I wholeheartedly trust their commitment to ensuring we will cherish and not regret the time spent caring for my father.”
A strong sense of pride echoed through Iwalewa’s words as she dispelled the misconceptions surrounding her father’s on-screen persona.
“Many people viewed him as a menacing figure due to his roles, but he was not a tough man at all. Just because someone portrays a witch in a film does not mean they possess such traits in reality. My father was not wicked; he was a consummate actor who merely executed his craft well,” she asserted.
In her closing remarks, Iwalewa shared a touching anecdote that captures the essence of her father’s character.
“Sometimes, when he sought to board public transport, he would wait to enter last, as he understood that if he entered first, passengers might hesitate to join him. Occasionally, upon entering a bus, others would visibly start to fret. Nevertheless, he remained a gentle soul, only fulfilling his role as an actor. His passion for cinema endured until his final days, as he continued visiting film sets to socialize with his fellow actors. Actors are generally buoyant and full of life on set, and my father was no exception.”
In celebrating the life of Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, we are reminded not only of his profound influence in the entertainment sphere but also of the loving legacy left behind by a devoted family member who sacrificed her ambitions to care for him.
