Moses Olaiya

Moses Olaiya, better known by his stage name Baba Sala, was a Nigerian comedian, dramatist, and actor. He was regarded as the father of modern Nigerian comedy, alongside other dramatists like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi and Duro Ladipo. He popularized theater and television acting in Nigeria. He started his career in show business as a Highlife musician, fronting in 1964 a group known as the Federal Rhythm Dandies where he tutored and guided the jùjú music maestro King Sunny Adé who was his lead guitar player. He later switched from music to drama and founded Alawada Group, which performed humorous plays on television and on tour. He wrote and produced many plays, such as Orun Mooru, Aare Agbaye, Mosebolatan, and Obee Gbona. He also acted in some films, such as Orun Mooru, Aare Agbaye, Tokunbo, and Agba Man. He was a pioneer of the Nigerian film industry and a recipient of many awards, such as the National Honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), the Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Comedy Award, and the Best Comedian Award of the Afro-Hollywood Award. He died on 7 October 2018 at the age of 82.