Category: News

Veteran Nollywood Actor Chief Kanran Passes Away at 72

Chief Kanran, whose real name was Olusegun Akinremi, was a household name in the Yoruba film industry, renowned for his unique style, humor, and commanding performances in numerous stage plays and movies over several decades. He died on Friday morning, at the age of 72.

Early Life and Career

Chief Kanran began his acting career as a child, featuring in stage dramas during Easter and Christmas celebrations. He trained at the Centre for Cultural Studies (now Department of Creative Arts) at the University of Lagos and later obtained a diploma in directing, acting, and film production from Obafemi Awolowo University.

Notable Works

Some of his notable works include:
– Langbodo, Nigeria’s official drama entry for FESTAC ’77
– Ewe Orun
– Aiye
– Efunsetan Aniwura
– Agbarin
– Bata Wahala
– Mirror in the Sun, marking his transition from stage to television

Legacy

Chief Kanran was a versatile crossover actor who appeared in numerous Yoruba stage productions, television shows, and films. He was known for his commanding performances, sharp wit, and magnetic stage presence. His legacy extends beyond his on-screen work, as he mentored many younger actors and contributed significantly to the growth of the Yoruba film industry.

I have bought my Burial Site, wrote my will

Actress Kemi Afolabi has revealed the harrowing ordeal she faced while battling lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own organs and tissues.In an interview on Doyin Kukoyi TV, Afolabi recounted how, at the peak of her health crisis, she was unable to eat or drink, relied on oxygen to breathe, and even prepared for the worst by purchasing a burial site and writing her will.She credited her survival to God’s grace and the unwavering support of her family, friends, and colleagues.

Afolabi said her struggle began with severe joint pain “more intense than childbirth,” which led to multiple misdiagnoses at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). It was only after seeking medical care abroad that she finally received the correct diagnosis.She said, “When I was down with Lupus, I thought the end had come. I couldn’t eat or drink. I was using oxygen to breathe. I already bought where I would be buried, and I wrote my Will, but God said it was not yet time to go. I survived with the power of God, the support of my family, friends and colleagues. Lupus has killed a lot of people. I had never heard of it till I experienced it. It is an autoimmune disease that will make your body’s system work against itself. The organs will not function properly

“When it first started with me, all the joints in my body gave me intense pain. Childbirth pain is a little compared to the pain of Lupus. They were diagnosing different diseases for me at LUTH until I travelled out and was told it’s Lupus. Lupus has no cure, I am still managing it with medications. I travel abroad every now and then because of it. I get an injection every day. I can’t be under the light for a long time like I used to when acting. People were saying so many things, but the one that got to me most was when someone said I have been used spiritually.”