By Daniel Ekiye
Moji Olaiya born on the 27th of February, 1975 into veteran highlife musician, Victor Olaiya’s family, she won City People Entertainment Award for Best Supporting Actress of the Year (Yoruba), formerly married to Mr. Bayo Okesola.
In her Instagram post just days before her demise, she wrote: “Allhamdulilahi to you Allah I give all the glory for all you have done. I will forever praise and worship you. It’s not by power but the Grace of Allah. Thank you for the gift of life. Thanks also to all my friends and family my fans for their supports and prayers. Love you all.”
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Victor Olaiya… father of the deceased actress
Reactions:
Veteran actor Yinka Quadri, said that her death would rob the industry of a talented actress and expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.
Yomi Fash-Lanso, the Director of Public Relations and Media Affairs of the Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), confirmed the death of Moji Olaiya in a statement.
Fash-Lanso said:“It is with a heavy heart and sad disposition to hear about the sudden death of our colleague; friend and sister, Moji Olaiya, who’s death occurred few days ago in Canada, couple of months after her child birth.
Her death was a complete shock to Nollywood, stirring emotions and tributes from her colleagues.
Cause of death
According to reports that we gathered, we learnt she had heart seizure and couldn’t make it.
In another reaction from an Actor (name withheld): “ I’m suspecting there may have been some complications but I cannot say much for now, you know, she just had a baby two months ago.. I will have to speak to you later.”
Meanwhile, the last image of the deceased in hospital bed has emerged from her close friend (name withheld) but when contacted she reported denied exposing such picture. See picture at the bottom of the page.
Burial Arrangement
The late actress converted from Christianity to Islam as an adult and certain members of her family are suggesting that she be buried immediately according to Muslim rites.
However, Olaiya’s 20-year-old daughter, Adunoluwa Farounbi Ajokeade has refused to give in to that, insisting that her mother’s corpse be brought back for burial in Nigeria.
Although some family members are still trying to calm her down, the grieving young lady kept repeating that she wants to see her mother.
Adun said her mother “Must be brought back, I don’t care what anybody says, I just want my mother’s body.” It is understood that burial in developed countries is expensive. For instance in Canada where she died, funeral costs can rise as high as $15,000. However, bringing her corpse back to Nigeria could cost around $8,000 our source disclosed.
Moji, died almost exactly two years after her younger brother, Abidemi Olaiya, passed on at the age of 38, Abidemi died on May 4, 2015.
In a latest development Ekiti state government has agreed to foot the cost of bringing her body to Nigeria for burial.
Burial Committee
Faithia Williams Balogun was named yesterday as chairperson of a 10-man burial committee that also included a host of Nollywood acts.
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