Jimoh Aliu MFR,listen ( November 11, 1939 – September 17, 2020), also known as ListenAworo, was a Nigerian dramatist, sculptor, film writer, playwright and director.[1][2]

Jimoh Aliu
Born(1939-11-11)11 November 1939
Died17 September 2020(2020-09-17) (aged 80)
Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
Other namesAworo
Occupations
  • Actor
  • dramatist
  • producer
Years active1959–2020
Notable workAjalu
FatherAliu Fakoya

Early life

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He was born on November 11,1939 at Okemesi, a city in Ekiti State southwestern Nigeria.

His father, Aliu Fakoya, was an Ifa priest who hailed from Oke-Imesi while his mother hailed from Iloro-Ekiti.[3][4]

Career

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Aliu began acting in 1959 when Akin Ogungbe, a Nigerian veteran dramatist visited his hometown, the same year he joined the Akin Ogungbe theatre group where he gained some experience in drama.[5] In 1966, after he spent seven years with the Ogungbe troupe, he established "Jimoh Aliu Concert Party", a group based in Ikare in Ondo State southwestern Nigeria.[6]

He later joined the Nigerian Army in 1967 but retired in 1975 with the aim of focusing on drama as well as promoting independent artists under the platform of Jimoh Aliu cultural group.[7] He had produced several television drama series such as Iku Jare Eda Yanpan yanrin and Fopomoyo that featured king Sunny Ade, a good friend of Jimoh Aliu's. It was later learned that his good friend, Sunny Ade, slept with his wife, Orisabunmi. Jimoh Aliu ultimately forgave his friend but eventually divorced Orisabunmi.

The major character, Fadeyi Oloro, played by Ojo Arowosegbe became a significant part of Jimoh Aliu's production. This Fadeyi Oloro was originally played by another member of the Jimoh Aliu group (in defunct Ondo State) before Ojo Arowosegbe later joined the group. The wife of the original Fadeyi Oloro also played the original Orisabunmi character before the last (widely known chactacter) featured Orisabunmi.[8][9]

Death

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Aliu died at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti on September 17, 2020 after a brief illness. He was 80 years old.[10]

Filmography

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  • Fopomoyo
  • Yanpan yanrin
  • Ajalu
  • Arelu
  • Igbo Olodumare
  • Irinkerindo Ninu Igbo Elegbeje
  • rukerudo

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ "My life at 70 – Jimoh Aliu, veteran actor, producer, director, scriptwriter | Naijarules.com". www.naijarules.com. Archived from the original on 2015-02-16.
  2. ^ Yinka, Ade (2020-09-17). "Another veteran Nollywood actor, Jimoh Aliu is dead". Kemi Filani News. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  3. ^ Administrator. "MY DIVORCE WITH ORISABUNMI WAS DESTINED----Chief Jimoh Aliu a.k.a. Aworo MFR — nigeriafilms.com". nigeriafilms.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  4. ^ "From stage to traditional medicine". The Punch — Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Veteran actor, Ogungbe, dies at 78". The Punch — Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  6. ^ "For Ogungbe, dramatists besiege Abeokuta". The Punch — Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  7. ^ "Strangers to their mother tongues: Home-bred Nigerians who don't speak their native languages". The Punch — Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  8. ^ Harrow, Kenneth W. (1999). African Cinema. ISBN 9780865436978. Retrieved 16 February 2015 – via google.nl.
  9. ^ BOLDWIN ANUGWARA. "How I lied to become music star – KSA". Newswatch Times. Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  10. ^ BREAKING: Veteran Yoruba Actor, Jimoh Aliu, Is Dead, To Be Buried On Friday