Chief Yemi Ogunyemi, the Baale of Oluyole Estate in Ibadan South West Local Government Area and a revered veteran broadcaster, has passed away.
The news of his death was confirmed in the early hours of Wednesday, although details surrounding his passing and burial arrangements are yet to be officially announced by the family.
Chief Ogunyemi, a respected figure in the Nigerian media landscape, spent several years working with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where he became a household name. He was especially known for his pioneering role in the popular Yoruba reality quiz show Ẹn Balaya, which aired from 1979 to 2004. The programme, whose title translates to “Who’s Bold?”, was the first Yoruba-language quiz show on Nigerian television and became a staple in homes across the South West.
He was also widely remembered for his comic role as Kasali, the witty gateman in the weekly television series Koko Close. The show, which starred the late Olumide Bakare as Chief Koko, was a satirical portrayal of life in a fictional Nigerian neighborhood.
Beyond his television career, Chief Ogunyemi was an active promoter of Yoruba culture and traditions. Until his death, he was a serving member of the Ibadan South West Local Government Traditional Council, where he played a significant role in grassroots leadership and cultural preservation.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues, admirers, and members of the community, many describing him as one of the finest broadcasters of his generation and a refined voice during the challenging era of military rule in Nigeria.
“He was one of the best media personalities we grew up watching,” a former NTA colleague said. “Baba Ogunyemi outlived an era when press freedom was heavily suppressed, and yet he remained a strong, dignified voice.”
Chief Ogunyemi’s contributions to media and culture remain indelible, and his legacy is expected to endure for generations.
Further updates on his burial will be communicated by the family in due course.
