The Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has confirmed that veteran Yoruba actor Lere Paimo is alive and in good health.
On Saturday, social media was flooded with news about the demise of the 86-year-old actor. There were also different claims from lots of media websites about his death, which were later retracted.
ANTP’s national public relations officer, Prince Adejonwo Oluwafemi Femson, released a statement after speaking with Paimo and his wife. “We have just spoken with Baba Eda Onile Ola and his wife. He is alive and in good health,” the statement read. It called the reports false and urged people to verify information before sharing it to stop misinformation.
The association emphasized Paimo’s role as chairman of its board of trustees and repeated that he remains well. “Please disregard these false reports and be aware that they are being spread by unscrupulous individuals,” Femson added.
Paimo himself appeared in a video interview with BBC Yoruba, where he cautioned against spreading fake news.
The BBC team visited his home in Ibadan and found him alive and healthy. “We found their father alive, alive and in good health,” the report stated. Paimo spoke directly to the camera, putting an end to the rumors.
Paimo, born on November 19, 1939, is known for roles in classics like Ogbori Elemosho and Saworo Ide. He continues to inspire in Nigerian theater.
