Veteran Yoruba actor and cultural icon, Chief Olalere Osunpaimo, popularly known as Lere Paimo or by his iconic stage name Eda Onile Ola, has passed away at the age of 86.
The celebrated thespian died late on November 28 in his hometown of Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Though full details of his death remain undisclosed, sources revealed that the revered actor had been bedridden for over three months due to age-related illnesses.
Chief Lere Paimo, MFR, was one of the most respected figures in the Yoruba film industry, known for his rich cultural interpretations and unforgettable screen presence. His contributions earned him national recognition, including the prestigious Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) honour conferred during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Born on November 19, 1939, in Ile Ikoyi Odan, Osupa area of Ogbomosho, Paimo grew up in a humble home, his father a respected farmer and his mother a trader. He attended primary school in Ogbomoso before moving to the Gold Coast (now Ghana), where he completed his education and obtained a Teacher’s Grade Two certificate. Upon returning to Nigeria, he settled in Osogbo, teaching at a Baptist Missionary School before venturing fully into the arts.
Over his illustrious career, he starred in numerous iconic Yoruba films, eventually becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the industry. In 2014, he won a ₦1 million cash prize on the TV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Despite surviving a partial stroke in 2013, his passion for culture and storytelling remained undiminished.
In past interviews, Paimo narrated how he earned the name “Eda Onile Ola.” While working under legendary theatre icon Chief Duro Ladipo in Osogbo, he was cast in the Yoruba adaptation of a German script titled Every Man. The translation rendered “Every Man” as “Eda,” and Paimo played the lead role; a wealthy, industrious man. The performance was so powerful that “Eda Onile Ola” became his permanent identity, overshadowing even his real name.
Chief Lere Paimo’s passing marks the end of an era for Yoruba cinema, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, culture, and unforgettable artistry.
