Alhaji Jimoh Aliu , popularly known by his stage name ‘Aworo’, is dead.
The veteran actor reportedly died at the age of 85.
It was gathered that the octogenarian breathed his last this morning at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti.
Aliu was born on November 11, 1934 in Okemesi, Ekiti West local government area of Ekiti State.
Though reputed to be a consummate thespian, Aworo was a man of many parts; a ‘thoroughbred’ artiste.
He was a seasoned artiste with diverse skills – writer, actor, singer, producer, director, he also doubled as location designer and costumier and make-up artist in his productions.
His father, Aliu Fakoya, was an Ifa priest who hailed from Oke-Imesi but his mother was from Iloro-Ekiti. As an itinerant Ifa Priest and Diviner, Aliu Fakoya took his son, Jimoh, to places like Ijebu-ode, Ifo, Ota, Odogbolu, Sagamu, Ada, Aagba, Iresi, Otan-Aiyegbaju and Lagos. Jimoh attended the old St. Peter Catholic Primary School Okemesi, where he was taught the art of divination by his father, as well as the use of herbs.
He joined the Ogungbe Theatre in 1959, where he cut his teeth in theatre after a brief elementary education.
He spent seven years with the Ogungbe Theatre before he formed his own group, ‘Jimoh Aliu Concert Party’ in 1966.
This group was based in Ikare-Akoko in Ondo State.
He became famous for his hit TV productions, “Arelu” and “Yanpon Yanrin”, which bore famous characters like Fadeyi Oloro, Orisabunmi and Aworo.
Aliu was formerly married to his colleague and Orisabunmi star, Folake Aremu, before they parted ways after 20 years of marriage. Before his death, he had two wives – Queen Bola and Folashade.
He was a former President of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners (ANTP).
He was honoured with a National Merit Award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in December 2005.
Though, in the twilight of his life, his love for theatre did not wane a bit. It was gathered that Aworo was just rounding off the production of ‘Ori ite’ when he died. “Ori ite” was to have featured famous Nollywood actors. The film will go down as the octogenarian’s swansong.
Julius is the third veteran actor to be claimed by death in one week.
His death came barely a week after that of Prof Ayo Akinwale of the University of Ilorin and Dolapo Adewale, whose late father, Laide Adewale, was also a popular and veteran actor.
