How I Got The Name “Oga Bello” -- Adebayo Salami

Former President of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, ANTP, Adebayo Salami told Tribune he got the name in 1970 when his comedy group was to present a 20 minute comedy programme titled ‘Comedy Train’. When it was time for casting the producer said he should be called ‘Uncle Bello’ since he was from Ilorin, Kwara State and the name is popular with indigenes’ of Ilorin and that was how the name stuck.

According to him, ‘in 1970, my group was to handle a show for the (Nigerian Television Authority) NTA 10, then in Victoria Island. It was a 20-minute comedy show called Comedy Train. While we were casting for the show, I was given ‘Uncle Bello’ because the producer knew I came from Ilorin, Kwara State. That was how the name came on board’.

The veteran actor is one of the most successful actors in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood and has starred in over 100 movies.