The burial rites for the late ace-comedian, Moses Olaiya Adejumo, popularly called Babasala, will kick off on Thursday, November 29 with a mega musical tribute concert billed for Blue Roof, LTV 8 Ground in Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at a press briefing today in Lagos, Dr. Oyindamola Adejumo-Ayibiowu, who is Babasala’s daughter, said the Babasala Tribute Concert was aimed at extolling the essence of the dramatist and pioneer of comedy in Nigeria as his funeral rites beckons.
“Babasala created opportunity for government to make money. I want people to see beyond Babasala as a man that made people laugh. Entertainment is creating an economy of non-oil revenue. This is because my father, Babasala, who is passionate about the arts went all the way to stage shows, produce movies and comedy and many are enjoying the fruit of his labour,” she said.
Dignitaries who graced the event include the juju maestro, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye famously called ‘King Sunny Ade, Queen Ayo Balogun, Admiral Dele Abiodun and Olanrewaju Adejumo alias Babasala Junior.
Commenting on the concert, King Sunny Ade (KSA) said: “Babasala Tribute concert is a celebration of my father who gave me the platform to become who I am today. I got my first instrument through someone Babasala introduced to me”.
KSA, who also chairs the burial committee, listed the funeral programmes as follows:
A Symposium on Babasala holds November 28 in Lagos.
Mega Tribute Concert to hold on Thursday, November 29 at LTV 8 Ground in Lagos.
Babasala Lying-in-state to hold at the National Arts & Theatre, Iganmu in Lagos on December 3.
The late Babasala’s body heads to Ibadan Cultural Centre on December 4.
The late Babasala’s body heads to Osogbo, Osun State on December 4 also.
Service of Songs to hold at Idasa, Ilesha in Osun State on December 5 alongside Wake Keeping and Artistes Night organised by Osun musicians.
Final burial ceremony to hold on December 7 in his hometown of Ilesha, Osun state.
It will be recalled that Babasala died on October 7, 2018 after enduring a post-stroke ordeal.