Veteran Yoruba actor Chief Olalere Osunpaimo, popularly known as “Eda Onile Ola,” died at the age of 86 in his hometown of Ogbomosho, Oyo State, on November 28. He had been bedridden for more than three months due to age‑related ailments before his death.
Born on November 19, 1939, in Ogbomosho, Chief Osunpaimo began his education locally before continuing his studies in the Gold Coast (now Ghana). He earned a Teacher’s Grade Two certificate from a teacher‑training college and subsequently taught at a Baptist Missionary School in Osogbo.
His acting career spanned several decades, during which he appeared in numerous prominent Yoruba films and became one of the industry’s most celebrated figures. In recognition of his contributions to Nigerian cinema, he was awarded the national honor of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2005 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The stage name “Eda Onile Ola” originated from his lead role in the play “Every Man,” translated into Yoruba, where he portrayed a wealthy, hardworking man; the name soon became synonymous with his persona. Beyond acting, Chief Osunpaimo won a cash prize of ₦1,000,000 on the Nigerian game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in 2014, and he survived a partial stroke in 2013, which temporarily withdrew him from the public eye.
Chief Osunpaimo’s death marks the loss of a cultural icon and a significant figure in the Nigerian film industry. Fans and colleagues are already paying tribute, celebrating his life, achievements, and enduring legacy.
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