Femi Ogunrombi, aka Papa Ajasco, a veteran Nigerian actor, has died.
Late Ogunrombi became well-known for his role in Wale Adenuga’s comedy series.
Husseini Shaibu, a theatre practitioner, confirmed the talented thespian’s death on his Twitter handle on Sunday.
He wrote, “I have just been reliably informed that the ethnomusicologist, former Music Instructor with #NATIONALTROUPE and one-time stand in for the ‘Papa Ajasco’ character on the popular #waleadenugaprod comic series ‘Papa Ajasco’ Mr. Femi Ogunrombi is dead.”
Ogunrombi took over the character, Papa Ajasco when the original character, Abiodun Ayoyinka pulled out of the show and he carried on with the role while it lasted.
Wale Adenuga created the Nigerian family television sitcom Papa Ajasco and Company (formerly The Ajasco Family) in 1996.
The show is a spin-off of Wale Adenuga’s 1984 feature film of the same name, which was based on the comic Ikebe Super. The plot revolves around the Ajasco family and their amusing take on major societal issues.
Papa Ajasco, his long-suffering wife Mama Ajasco, their mischievous son Bobo Ajasco, local playboy Boy Alinco, promiscuous gold-digger Miss Pepeiye, and illiterate ne’er-do-wells Pa James and Pa Jimoh are the main characters.
At its peak, Papa Ajasco was widely regarded as Nigeria’s most watched comedy series, with weekly broadcasts in 12 African countries.
