Ailing actor, Olumide Bakare discharged from hospital

Critically ill veteran actor, Olumide Bakare who cried out to Nigerians for help over his embattled sickness while admission at the University College Hospital, Ibadan Oyo State, a week ago has been discharged from the late Friday evening. 

A source who visited the actor shortly before he was discharged disclosed that the veteran actor was discharged and placed on further medication.

Meanwhile, Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has denied a report that claimed that it stopped a member of the National Assembly from donating money to ailing actor, Olumide Bakare, who is battling with heart related issues.

Speaking on behalf of the association, its president, Comrade Victor Ashaolu, said also on Friday that he read the report on Facebook and was shocked that some people could be using ANTP to peddle such a false and wicked report.

A report had surfaced during the week, claiming that the association stopped a senator from donating N3 million naira to help put Olumide Bakare’s life back on track, because the actor is not a member of ANTP. 

“I don’t know about any member of ANTP that would do something that is that bad to a fellow artiste. I have known Olumide Bakare for more than 20 years. He has been my very good friend and I can’t deny the fact that he’s not a member of ANTP. 

Even at that, it does not stop me or anybody from the doing what is right for him. When I read the post on Facebook, I was very sad. Why would I do that to a fellow man when I don’t even know what will become of me tomorrow?. “ANTP will hold its NEC meeting in a couple of days and we will come up with a decision on how to help him in our little way. He’s an artiste and that makes him one of us even if he’s not a member of ANTP. We will do the needful. Whatever money we raise and give to him will not be made public,” he said.

In another development, President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures’ Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Dele Odule, has said it was unfortunate that Bakare does not belong to TAMPAN as it would have been easier for it to have moved swiftly on his behalf and help him raise funds. “As things stand now, we will still rally round and put heads together. We have been discussing his issue for the past one week. 

Even if he’s not a member of TAMPAN, we will pull resources and raise funds. We will raise funds for him in our little way and we urge well meaning Nigerians to rise and help save his life.”