The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Yoruba film actor and cultural icon, Chief Olalere Osunpaimo, popularly known as Lere Paimo or by his legendary stage name, “Eda Onile Ola.”
The revered thespian passed away at the age of 86 in his hometown, Ogbomosho, Oyo State. Although the full details surrounding his death are yet to be made public, sources confirm that he had been bedridden for over three months due to age-related illnesses. He reportedly died late on November 28.
Chief Lere Paimo, MFR, is regarded as one of the foundational pillars of Yoruba cinema; an actor whose mastery, depth, and cultural loyalty shaped generations of performers and storytellers.
Born on November 19, 1939, in Ile Ikoyi Odan, Osupa, in Ogbomosho, Paimo grew up under the guidance of a farmer father who led the local farmers’ association, and a mother who traded to sustain the family. His journey took him from primary school in Ogbomosho to the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana), where he completed his education and earned a Teacher’s Grade Two Certificate.
Upon returning to Nigeria, he settled in Osogbo and worked as a classroom teacher in a Baptist Missionary School, before destiny steered him into theatre.
His contributions to the film and theatre world were nothing short of extraordinary. In 2005, he was conferred with the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honour by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, in recognition of his immense impact on the Nigerian film industry.
In April 2014, he gained widespread public attention when he won a ₦1 million cash prize on the TV game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Despite suffering a partial stroke in 2013, the actor remained respected and adored by fans and colleagues alike.
In one of his most memorable interviews, the actor recounted how he came to bear one of the most iconic stage names in Yoruba cinema.
He explained that while working under the late theatre legend Chief Duro Ladipo in Osogbo, they were given a script titled “Every Man,” originally written in English.
According to him:
“By our translation, we referred to ‘Every Man’ as ‘Eda’. The role of ‘Every Man’ or ‘Eda’ was played by me. He was a wealthy man and also hardworking and industrious.”
The depth of his performance earned him the name:
“That role from the script gave me the sobriquet and since then, many people came to know me as ‘Eda’. It has become so popular that some people don’t even know my real names and many people know me only as ‘Eda Onile Ola’”, he once said.
Chief Lere Paimo featured in numerous iconic Yoruba films throughout his career, standing tall as a cultural custodian and one of the greatest interpreters of traditional Yoruba roles. His wisdom, charisma, and command of language made him a household name and a respected voice in Nollywood.
His passing marks the end of an era for Yoruba storytelling; one defined by depth, discipline, and cultural pride.