Veteran Nollywood actor, dramatist, filmmaker and scholar, Dr Kola Oyewo, has passed away at the age of 80 years.

The death of the veteran actor was disclosed on Instagram on Friday by actor Kunle Afod, who paid tribute to the late actor for his contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry.

He wrote: “Kola Oyewo has taken his final bow.

“His remarkable talent, timeless performances, and immense contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry will never be forgotten. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

“Rest well, sir. Your work lives on.

Though the legendary thespian died of an undisclosed illness as of the time of this report, Tribune Online reports that the 80-year-old actor, in April 2026, opened up about his battle with prostate enlargement, explaining how the condition affected his acting career and kept him away from the screen.

The 80-year-old made this known during a visit by actor Kunle Afod to his residence, where he spoke about his health challenges and reduced presence in movies.

According to Oyewo, the illness limited the kinds of roles he could take on, forcing him to step back from more demanding performances.

Born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, Oyewo began his acting career in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group. He later became one of the most recognised figures in Yoruba theatre and Nigerian film.

He was widely known for his portrayal of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s play, “The Gods Are Not to Blame,” a role that earned him recognition across the African theatre scene.

During a career that spanned more than six decades, Oyewo featured in several productions, including “Saworoide,” “Sango,” “Koseegbe,” “Super Story” and many Yoruba-language films that contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s movie industry.

Beyond acting, Oyewo was also an academic. He earned a doctorate degree in Drama from the University of Ibadan and taught at Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University and Elizade University.

Through his teaching and mentorship, he helped train and guide generations of actors, playwrights and scholars, leaving a lasting impact on Nigeria’s theatre, film and academic communities.

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The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has called for urgent and long-term action to address poverty and inequality in the North-West.

According to him, no child’s future should be determined by the circumstances of their birth.

He made the statement while delivering a keynote address at the High-Level North-West Policy Dialogue held in Kano State, where he urged leaders to focus on practical solutions rather than speeches and promises.

“The measure of any society is found in how it expands opportunity and protects the vulnerable. No child’s future should be foreclosed by the poverty of their birth.”

Sanusi warned that poverty in the region remains deeply rooted and is reflected in poor education outcomes, weak health systems, and high levels of child malnutrition and unemployment.

He said addressing the crisis requires strong political commitment and consistent investment in people, especially children and young people.

Among his key recommendations was a call for the creation of a long-term social investment framework in each state, with protected budget lines for health, education, social protection, and youth development.

He also proposed a minimum social package that guarantees basic services for citizens at different stages of life, from early childhood to adulthood.

Sanusi stressed the importance of early childhood development, saying the first years of life are critical to a child’s future learning and wellbeing.

He urged states to invest more in nutrition, early learning, and parental support, adding that what happens in those early years determines what a child becomes.”

The Emir also recommended stronger programmes for out-of-school children, adult literacy, and youth skills development to reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods.

He further called for better use of traditional institutions in community data gathering and programme delivery, saying they are closer to the people and understand local needs better.

Sanusi also pushed for improved accountability, urging governments in the region to publish results of social investments and track progress annually.

He warned that without honest leadership and sustained action, poverty in the region would continue to deepen and affect future generations.

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The United States Department of State has intensified enforcement actions against what it describes as illegal “birth tourism” schemes aimed at securing American citizenship for children through visitor visas.

This was disclosed in a statement posted via the department’s official X handle on Wednesday.

“Under President Trump, the State Department is defending the integrity of U.S. citizenship by ending illegal birth tourism schemes.

“No foreigner is permitted to obtain a visitor visa for the primary purpose of acquiring U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the U.S.

“A U.S. embassy in West Africa uncovered a sophisticated birth tourism network involving more than 100 foreign nationals using fraudulent documents and visa ‘fixers’ to obtain visas in order to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.

“We shut it down, revoked these foreign nationals’ visas, and are coordinating with local authorities to systematically identify and dismantle similar operations.

“In Europe, a U.S. embassy identified more than 400 suspected birth tourism cases since 2024. Investigators traced them to at least six companies that coached applicants on what to say during their visa interviews, arranged U.S. housing, and set up delivery plans.

“We shut it down, revoked their visas, and permanently banned several fraudsters from travelling to the United States.

“One U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to ‘birth tourist’ parents who came to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain U.S. citizenship.

“Consular officers, working with law enforcement and using data analytics, identified several networks abusing the system and put a stop to them.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. The State Department is taking action around the world to stop this abuse, dismantle birth tourism networks, and hold accountable those who try to scam our system,” the statement said.

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