In the annals of Nigerian theatre and cinema, there are names etched in golden ink names that generations utter with reverence. At the top of that ledger shines Adebayo Salami, the man the world affectionately calls Oga Bello.

Today, the veteran filmmaker marks a rare and extraordinary milestone: sixty years of traversing the vibrant corridors of stage and screen. This is not merely an anniversary; it is a coronation of a life’s work forged in sacrifice, resilience, and an unrelenting devotion to storytelling.

Sitting across from Oga Bello in a recent interview, one thing was abundantly clear gratitude is the language of his soul. He bowed his heart to the Almighty for the privilege to persist, to create, to inspire. But it was the memory of his late mentor, Pa Ojo Ladipo, fondly known as Baba Mero, that filled the room with poignant reflection.

“There was a time,” he shared candidly, “when I was ready to walk away from theatre altogether.”

It was the darkest winter of his artistic journey seven months after Baba Mero’s passing, his wife, Mama Mero, also departed this world. For Oga Bello, the curtain was closing. The grief was too profound, the burden too heavy.

But destiny, as it does with those chosen for greatness, intervened. News of his despair reached the ears of the legendary Pa Ogunde, who summoned the young Salami and, with the steady conviction of a patriarch, urged him not to quit. That singular moment of encouragement became the pivot on which the next sixty years turned.

And what a testament it has been scores of films, countless protégés, and a legacy richer than silver or gold.

“I want to live a life I will always be remembered for,” Oga Bello declared, his voice as resolute as ever. “Impacting lives is more precious to me than longevity.”

Indeed, his influence has become the scaffolding upon which countless creatives have built their careers. He has taught, he has led, he has believed in talent when the world was indifferent.

Yet behind the applause and accolades, he remains humbly aware of the paradoxes of destiny. In a moment of honest reflection, he revealed that he never envisioned the vast family that now surrounds him.

“From my youthful age, I planned to live a ‘me and my wife’ kind of life,” he confessed, with a wry smile. “But God had other plans.”

Today, Oga Bello stands as the patriarch of a large, accomplished family, and he counts it all joy.

Never content to rest on laurels, he has once again returned to the limelight with a fresh offering to the Nigerian cinema space: “Her Excellency,” a stirring film that celebrates the power of women in our society a timely narrative in an era that demands recognition of female voices.

His counsel to all creatives is a clarion call to perseverance:

“Be consistent with your talents. Stay true to your gift. Your commitment will speak when no one else is listening.”

As the curtain rises on this new chapter, the story of Adebayo Salami, Oga Bello is a living parable of purpose, resilience, and grace. Sixty years on, he remains the quintessential theatre general: steady in vision, rich in spirit, and forever grateful for the journey.

Congratulations to Oga Bello; a titan whose impact will echo across generations.