The Yoruba film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor and pastor, Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado.
Adeshina reportedly died on Monday at the age of 66 after a brief illness.
His death was confirmed by filmmaker Seun Oloketuyi, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Adeshina was a prominent figure in the Yoruba movie industry for more than two decades.
He earned a strong reputation through his consistent appearances in indigenous films, where he was widely known for portraying kings, chiefs, elders and other traditional characters.
His fluency in the Yoruba language and his performances in culturally rich productions made him a familiar face among lovers of epic and classic Yoruba films.
The stage name, Elegbeje Ado, was derived from one of his early and most popular movie roles.
The character eventually became more widely recognised than his real name, with fans and colleagues identifying him by the name throughout his career.
His performances played a significant role in establishing his place in the Yoruba film industry, particularly in movies centred on tradition and history.
In the later years of his career, Adeshina devoted more time to Christian ministry and gospel filmmaking.
He continued to combine acting with preaching and later featured in faith-based productions, including a gospel project titled Egberun Odun.
In previous interviews, the late actor spoke about some of the challenges he faced in the movie industry, including pressure to join secret groups. However, he maintained that he rejected such demands and remained committed to his Christian faith.
