AGBAKO: THE NONAGENARIAN THAT SHARES HEIGHT, ACT AND ART WITH OLUMO
Bukola Lasisi
One of the witty truisms that have found itself into the street lingo is the prayer, may you last like Olumo rock. For one, Olumo, a symbol of the rich history and natural fortress for the Egbas during inter-tribal warfare in the 19th century is ageless, standing at 137 metres above sea level. Second, the etymology of Olumo in Yoruba mythology suggests that the rock was wonderfully and fearfully moulded by the Almighty God –Olu (God), Mo (mould). Third, a man from the same Egba has not only named himself Olumo but shared all the characteristics of the monument in height, act and art.
The self-styled Agbako’s name (devil incarnate) may sound awful to the Yoruba-speaking audience across the globe, but the household name on televisions and big screens in the last 60 years would leave a series of positive and nostalgic ripples behind whenever it is mentioned.
Call him the last man standing, at 98, Alhaji Abdulsalam Sanyaolu a.k.a. Charles Olumo or Agbako is one of the living legends from the old order of the Nigerian filmmakers and actors. He is an iconic television personality known for his sometimes funny and brutal persona.
With contemporaries in the Nigerian film industry such as the late Hubert Ogunde, late Duro Ladipo, late Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love), late Moses Olaiya popularly known as Baba Sala, and late Oyin Adejobi among others, Olumo’s longevity has remained phenomenal.
During the 1980s and 2000s, Charles Olumo A.K.A Agbako was the bad guy in almost any Yoruba movie that was released at that time. Known for his stern looks that would make you dust your slippers and make a quick dialogue with your legs, energetic strides, bald head, sinister greyish goatee, hoarse voice that commands terror, and vicious scowl, Olumo represents a typical villain of the Nigerian cinema. He is usually the character sent to behead and clean people out without traces in movies.
He has thrilled viewers and fans with his flawless acting skills. From his roles as warrior, ritualist, armed robber, and political thug in movies like Ireke Onibudo, Aiye, Jaiyesimi, Taxi Driver 1&2, Amin Orun, Anikura, Ori Eye, Awo Oko and Saworoide, among others, he flawlessly interpreted his role such that it has set him apart from other actors.
Charles (baptismal name) ventured into acting when he developed an interest at The Apostolic Church, Mushin Assembly where he paid a visit to a friend in the church during a drama rehearsal in 1953. From there, he became the lead actor in an end-of-year play organised by the church. He delivered impeccable performances over the years such that other churches recruited him to train their actors.
Not minding family pressure to quit acting, he regularly slept in churches and friends’ homes in between performances. Later, he formed his own theatre company which he called the Olumo Theatre Group named after the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta.
Alhaji Abdulsalam Sanyaolu is a Nigerian actor from Abeokuta, Ogun State. He mainly acts in Yoruba-language films. Agbako completed his primary school education in his hometown at Egba-Owode High School. He then proceeded to complete his secondary school education at Lisabi Grammar School in Abeokuta. Right after secondary school, he delved into being an apprentice at a mechanic workshop in Ibadan to earn a living and gradually, his dreams of attending the University began to fade. He spent four years as a mechanic apprentice. Before his stint at the mechanic workshop, he was trained as an amateur boxer and represented Oyo state in boxing tournaments.
One of the low moments for the thespian was in 2013 when he was said to be sick and in a coma. The actor who was also hospitalized in 2018 was said to be battling an undisclosed ailment. He had since not been going to movie locations and has remained indoors, in his Abeokuta home, when not in a hospital.
With a career spanning over 60 decades, Charles has earned a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most feared characters. Far from being the calamity, he is named for, Agbako has enriched Nigeria’s theatre and film landscape. Indeed, he has proudly qualified himself as the ‘first bad man’ of the Nigerian film industry. He is an unforgettable actor whose exploits are written in gold.
His acting has combined Yoruba travelling theatre, television plays, celluloid films, and home videos. The late Hubert Ogunde amd Akin Ogungbe were his role models
At 98, Olumo can look back on his achievements with pride. He has contributed significantly to the emergence of the Nollywood industry which is the most vibrant in Africa and one of the best-known in the world. His talent, hard work and commitment created opportunities for future actors and moviemakers to build upon, secure in the knowledge that there is undeniable potential to be exploited. He is, in essence, a vital link to the past and an essential bridge to the future.
