Reactions have continued to trail the dramatic news of the death and sudden ‘resurrection’ of veteran Yoruba actress, Sidikat Odukanwi, popularly known as Iyabo Oko.
The actress, who started her acting career in 1973 on the platform of Eda Onileola theatre troupe, was announced dead on Wednesday by her daughter.
She gained prominence in the movie ‘Oko,’ which was produced by Oga Bello. She earned the nickname Iyabo Oko from the movie.
However, contrary to news making the rounds on Wednesday that the veteran actress was dead, it is now confirmed that she is still alive.
Her daughter, Bisi Aisha, had announced her demise yesterday, January 5, 2022 via her Instagram page, but she later took to her verify page today, January 6, 2022 to say she was moving her fingers.
Also, Yoruba actress, Foluke Daramola-Salako, confirmed to newsmen that her colleague is alive
Although Ms Salako had posted via her instagram page on Wednesday evening that ‘Iyabo Oko’s transition was early’, she has debunked the news about the veteran’s death. She said:”Iyabo Oko is very much alive, what happened was that her daughter had called me at about 11pm yesterday that her mother was pronounced dead, and she forwarded a WhatsApp message to me.
“But at about 12 a.m she (iyabo Oko’s daughter) said that her brother confirmed that she was moving her hand, and they rushed her to the hospital where she is responding to treatment.”
Salako also confirmed that the actress had been suffering from a stroke, but through her charity foundation and the support of Nigerians, they have been catering for the medical needs of the veteran, not until the surprise news of her death.
However this report didn’t go well with many Nigerians as many blamed the daughter on social media for not certifying her mother’s death medically before announcing her death on social media.
Read some of the reactions on Facebook:
“What is wrong in waiting for the doctors to certify someone dead before we go ringing on the social media.” Ify Onyegbule.
Seun Afolabi: “Why is her daughter in a hurry to announce her mother’s death.”
“Hope social media abuse doesn’t make us lose our humanity; unfortunately the unverified news came from her daughter.” Adewale Akinbolasere
Gbeminiyi Obuleye wrote “I saw her rebuttal. You just wonder why some people rush to social media! Anything and everything for traffic it is sickening!