Nollywood mourns the loss of one of its veteran actors, Usman Pategi, who passed away at the age of 81.
Known for his iconic role as “Samanja” in the popular NTA drama series about the life of soldiers in the barracks, Pategi was a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry in the 80s and beyond.
His death was announced by a theatre consultant, Husseini Shaibu, on Sunday via his Facebook page, though the cause of his passing is yet to be disclosed.
Shaibu, who expressed his condolences, stated that Pategi died around midnight on Sunday.
He recalled seeing the late actor in Lagos in 2019 when he was awarded the Fellowship of Theatre Arts (FTA) by the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), led by Israel Eboh.
Shaibu also referred to Pategi as “Samanja Mazan Fama,” a testament to how much the actor’s character had impacted the Nigerian television industry.
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Pategi was born on May 20, 1942, into the royal house of Pategi Emirate in Pategi, Northern Nigeria.
He was the son of Etsu Usman Patako, the late King of Pategi.
Apart from his role as Samanja, which brought him to national prominence, Pategi also starred in several popular Hausa films such as Yusuf’s Ladan’s Zaman, Duniya Iyawa Ne, and more.
He was known for mixing the Hausa, English, and pidgin English languages, which endeared him to many fans.
Many actors have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late icon, with Okey Ogunjiofor stating, “The Legends who made our early days sweet are departing gradually. May his soul rest in peace.”
Pategi’s contributions to the Nigerian film industry will be remembered for years to come, and his legacy will continue to inspire upcoming actors and actresses.
