Nollywood actress, Aisha Abimbola dies of breast cancer in Canada

…Kwara TAMPAN, colleagues mourn
By Adebayo Olodan
The 46-year-old who shot into limelight in 2001 through her blockbuster movie titled; ‘Omoge Campus’ was said to have died of breast cancer on Tuesday in Canada. Aisha’s friend, Eniola Badmus (Big Girls) was said to have communicated the news to colleagues in a text message.
The death of Aisha is coming almost a year (May 17, 2017) after another prominent actress, Moji Olaiya also died in Canada. Olaiya was said to have died as a result of complications from child birth.
Ever since the news of the passing of Aisha went viral, her colleagues from far and wide have taken to various platforms to mourn the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) graduate.
Education
Aisha attended Ebute Elefun High School and is said to be the Head Girl of the ‘1994 set’. She thereafter proceeded to Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) where she studied Catering and Hotel Management.
…how she became actress
Aisha was rounding off her HND programme at LASPOTECH when Wale Adenuga Productions came to shoot in her school. The Director, Antar Laniyan who eventually became her mentor was waiting for a cast when Aisha walked up to him to ask for a role in the movie.
Laniyan offered Aisha the role of the absent actress, to kick off her acting career.
However, the movie “Omoge Campus” – a film by Bola Igida – shot her into limelight in 2001.
Her lifetime
Born into a Muslim family 46 years ago, Aisha however converted to Christianity after she had certain convictions within her.
She was formerly married to a colleague, Victor Ibrahim and a proud mother of two kids.
In 2015, Aisha defeated Fathia Balogun, Dayo Amusa, Mercy Aigbe and Iyabo Ojo to win the City People Entertainment Award for Yoruba Movie Personality of the Year.
She acted in scores of movie and made her debut as a producer with the 2016 movie “T’omi T’eje,” which she premiered in Atlanta, United States with music performance by King Rokan. The movie was based on a true life story which she heard about during her Youth Service year in 2002.
Aisha featured in indigenous and non-indigenous productions such as “No Pain, No Gain,” “Awerijaye,” “So Wrong So Right,” “Omoge Campus,” “Kamson and Neighbours” among others.
The deceased was once in talks with the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe to feature in one of her TV series but the terms and conditions were not favourable for both parties to work together.
She once mentioned during an interview with New Telegraph that if she had not gone into acting, she would have become a pastor.
I abandoned location when I heard news of her passing – Saheed Balogun
Speaking in a telephone interview with our reporter, yesterday, veteran Nollywood actor, Saheed Balogun said he had to vacate a movie location in Lagos State when he was informed of the passing of Aisha, who was the Vice President of The Golden Movies Ambassadors (GDMA), a theatre group founded and headed by him.
“I was shooting a movie titled, ‘Olowo Idan’ in Lagos when I received the sad news. I had to suspend the production and we immediately called a meeting to arrange for her burial.
“We have already set-up a committee and we met today (Wednesday) and should finalise the burial arrangement tomorrow. As soon as we have been able to reach a conclusion, your medium will be duly informed,” Balogun stated.
The thespian who said he had known Aisha for about 25 years confirmed that the latter has been ill for a while but she was getting better in a facility abroad.
“She actually travelled to Canada for medical attention and as one of the closest to her, I was getting positive news in terms of her fast recovery but I never expected that she was going to die.”
On the fond memories with the actress, Balogun said, “I will continue to remember her for many years to come. Only last year, we shot a movie together in Nigeria and Germany and on arrival in the European country, we were all tired but she encouraged us to shoot some scenes that day.
“Aisha will be remembered as a committed actress, a rare gem who believed things should be done the right way. She was more passionate about others than herself.”
She perfected scripts on her own – Dan Kazeem
Similarly, the Kwara State Governor of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Alhaji Abdulfatai Adeniyi (Dan Kazeem), who handed the deceased a role in his movie titled; ‘Olayinka Erujeje’ last August described the passing of the actress as shocking.
On her virtues, Dan Kazeem said Aisha was a perfectionist and a humble actress who never allowed fame to affect her relationship with people.
“I have known her since 2004 and aside acting together, I once interviewed her on my programme on the Nigeria Television Authority, Ilorin. Aisha was committed to her job and she will even adjust scripts given to her to ensure perfection when interpreting roles.
“She brought her professionalism to bear during my last movie in 2017, where she played the role of my wife and a police officer. Aisha was in Ilorin for about 12 days and she never complained. She was such a talented actress,” Dan Kazeem disclosed.
Aisha was outspoken – Funsho Aliyu
A Kwara-based actor, Funsho Aliyu who doubles as the Coordinator of GDMA in Kwara State, said he heard about the passing of Aisha on the group chat, Wednesday morning.
“We became so close through our group and we acted together in a movie in Ilorin last year and I will say she fits in perfectly into the hole between actors of yesteryears and the new breeds.
“Aisha was the outspoken type and she will always tell you to your face if you have done anything wrong. She was one of the most professional actresses in the industry,” Aliyu divulged.
“I just can’t deal right now….I just can’t…All these pictures of you everywhere is just messing me up the more….Can’t look at your face knowing I won’t see it again…I can’t…Can’t even type your name – Femi Branch.
“It is a sad day and another rude shock. Death snatched Aisha away. Another unripe fruit got plucked. So short of words. So short of actions. May the God Almighty grant you eternal rest, protect all the children you left behind and give your immediate family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. O di gba o Aisha – Muyiwa Ademola.
“May God forgive all your sins Aunty Aisha. #No More Omoge Campus# tears uncontrollable
– Biodun Okeowo (Omo Butty).
“So sad and unbelievable. RIP aunty Aisha…Vanity upon vanity, please pray for her – Liz Da Silva
“You know best lord, you are unquestionable. Aunty Aishat Abimbola, may God forgive you of all your sins. Rest in peace, ma. So sad can’t just control my tears – Bidemi Kosoko.
“Not again! I am so lost of words, this is a great shock. Not again Lord. RIP dear. I don’t even know what to right. It is well – Iyabo Ojo