Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, have mourned Usman Baba-Patigi, a Nollywood actor, fondly known as Samanja, who died at the age of 81.

Shettima stated this via his verified Facebook page on Sunday.

The vice president said, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Alhaji Usman Baba-Patigi, fondly known as Samanja. His presence on TV and radio brought joy and laughter to various generations of Nigerians. Through humour and sincerity, he explored our diversity and mirrored our society to remind us of our shared values and humanity.

” Like millions of other Nigerians, I am grateful for the enduring memory he created and the legacy he left behind after decades of contributions to arts and society.”

Shettima described the deceased as a pan-Nigerian ambassador and a patriot extraordinaire.

He added, “May Allah repose his soul and grant his loved ones the strength to bear this loss. Ameen.”

The death was revealed by a theatre consultant, Husseini Shaibu, on Sunday via his Facebook page. The cause of his death has yet to be unknown.

Mr Shaibu said, “I have been reliably informed that light has dimmed on the veteran actor, Usman Baba-Pategi, popularly known as Samanja Mazan Fama.

“The actor who rode to national prominence in the 80’s playing Samanja in the defunct NTA drama series (about life of Soldiers in the barracks), titled ‘Samanja,’ reportedly passed on around 12 midnight on Sunday.

“The last time I saw Samanja was in Lagos in 2019, when he was awarded the Fellowship of Theatre Arts by the Israel Eboh-led National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners.’’

Also, Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, acknowledged Samanja’s vital role in cultural enrichment and promoting unity through his craft.

“In this time of sorrow, I extend heartfelt sympathies to Samanja’s family, friends and the entire entertainment industry. His legacy will endure in the hearts of those who enjoyed his work and his impact on the cultural landscape will be remembered with gratitude.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May Allah grant him paradise and give his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

(NAN)