Sadiq Abubakar Daba, popularly known as Sadiq Daba was a Nigerian actor and a former broadcaster. In an interview a while ago, the actor, who died on March 3, 2021 spoke about his career.
He said he worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for several years before leaving service some eight to ten years ago. The broadcaster’s acting came to prominence in the late 1970s with the movie ‘Cockcrow at Dawn’.
The actor was diagnosed of Leukemia and prostrate cancer in 2017 and was supported by Mabel Oboh, Josephine Obianuju, Azuka Jebose and others. The news alerted the likes of Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola who donated some machines to keep up with the oxygen.
Daba also joined Project Pink Blue to walk against cancer to commemorate World Cancer Day on February 3, 2018.
In an interview with Channels Television, the actor confirmed his illness, also stating where he has been receiving treatment, Obafemi Awolowo Hospital, ile- Ife.
Here are 6 things Nigerians will miss about Sadiq Daba:
The actor believes in gender equality: Daba in an interview had buttressed on the point of supporting the girl-child equal right. He stated that a girl should be given education the same as the boy-child. He used his tribe and culture as an example. He said the idea of giving teenagers up for marriage instead of school or skill management should stop. He also used his first daughter as an example, where he stated that some older men fixed up a marriage for his daughter without his approval and that disgusts him.
Patriotic: Daba stated that the country will never break up, neither will it be dismantled. He insisted on supporting the idea of pushing the older politician to their homes to rest and let the younger generation lead. He also cited an example of his household. Daba who is a Kano born is married to a Yoruba woman from Lagos. He stated that the division of the country would mean division of his home.
Courageous: Daba even on sick bed said although he is sick, he is not dying. He replied an interview when asked about his health. The icon was courageous even till death came knocking. He kept on asking for help because he believes in miracles.
Ambitious: The actor gained his major prominence from ‘Cockcrow at Dawn’ but his most recognition came from October with Kunle Afolayan.
Strict with Script (SWS) : The icon spoke on how he will never be a part of a movie/script with no meaning or history. He said a movie with ‘Part 1, part 2, 3, 4 and glory be to God’ will never be recorded with him. He believes in quality storyline like ‘October 1’. According to him, movies like that live on after death. A movie that catches his interest is a script worth telling, a movie with a history, movie to tell the world how we got it wrong.
A supporter of social media : The actor believes the government should not embark on tampering with social media. He said although social media can be very annoying sometimes, misleading but it shouldn’t be touched. He stated that since no one is chastising the politicians for messing with our funds, no one should scold those abusing people on social media. He further advised that no one should do anything that will warrant an abuse on social media.
Known for his prestigious works like “Cockcrow at Dawn,” “Behind the Clouds,” “A Place Like Home,” “Entreat,” “Duplicity,” “Soweto,” “Moment of Truth,” and “Hotel Majestic.”, Daba was indeed a national treasure.
Although from Kano, Daba was born in Kumasi, Ghana, spent his early years living in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he completed primary and secondary schools.
He moved to Nigeria when he was 15 years old and went to NTA/TV college. Daba who has his first love to be broadcasting made his dream come through by going into radio and television as a broadcaster.
Daba earned his degree in mass communication, specializing in television production, from NTA/TV College at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and continued his training in Germany and the United Kingdom.
He was introduced to broadcasting by Alifa Baba Hammed. The Head of Drama, Peter Igho, who also happened to be his friend, talked him into acting while in Sokoto.
Daba won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in the movie, “October 1” in 2015.
He is married to Bolaji Daba and has two children, and six grandchildren.
We hope the legend will be remembered for his zeal to work perfectly, the power to get things done, a continuous ardour of being a good patriot and the discipline he showed when it came to producing good movies.
