Toun Oni: A Tribute

News of the death of Toun Oni many not have readily struck a chord among many Nigerians; but when the information

Toun Oni: A TributeEunice NzeNews of the death of Toun Oni many not have readily struck a chord among many Nigerians; but when the information becomes expatiated and describes her as “Chief’s eldest wife in Fuji House of Commotion”, many screamed “Oh, my God! What happened to her, was she sick?Toun Oni was not just an actress, but one who stood out. She was also a dancer and a vocalist, what a great loss! Fondly called Mama T, she was one ofNigeria’s most celebrated cross-over artistes. She came into limelight in the 60s as a member of Ola Rotimi’s Ori Olokun Players in a drama titled Be Mighty, Be Mine, written by Wale Ogunyemi. She was to remain in theatre for 40 years. But for death, she would have celebrated her 69th birthday in September. A firm believer in God and member of Jehovah’s Witness, Oni was one of the few lucky Nigerians conferred with the honour, Order of the Niger, in 2006.She will also be remembered for her unforgettable performances both in movies and on TV in works such as Oleku, Checkmate, and Fuji House of Commotion, among several others too numerous to mention.Gregory Odutayo, National President of the National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) while speaking with M2 says, “Well, Mama T was a very confident actress, she was dedicated to her job, and she had passion for her trade. Younger generations in the movie industry look up to her because of her professionalism in interpreting and delivering roles. She also proved to be very reliable when you needed a committed artiste. She will surely be missed by all who had the privilege of coming across her. She was a very committed member of NANTAP and that is why we are very much involved in the burial.” When asked when the actress will be buried, Odutayo said that the association is awaiting feedback from the family.Veteran cinematographer Tunde Kelani, submits that Oni was a thorough bred professional who will be irreplaceable. He recalls that they worked together on the movie O le ku where she played the role of Ajani’s mother; a role she interpreted proficiently. The entire industry will definitely miss that attribute in her.Amaka Igwe, producer of popular TV family entertainment Fuji House of Commotion, declined to make any definite comments on the actress’ passing away as she claims she is yet to confirm the news. She told M2′s correspondent that she’ll have to get through to the family first for confirmation before speaking on the issue.Oni will be missed by an industry where she remained significant till her death, many colleagues and friends, her children (both biological and professional), and teeming fans.