Popular veteran actor, Alhaji Jimoh Aliu (better known as Aworo) is dead. He died this morning at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) Ado Ekiti at the age of 80.
Aliu was born on November 11 1939 in Okemesi, Ekiti West local government area of Ekiti State. He was a seasoned actor, producer and singer.
In 1959, Aliu joined the Ogungbe Theatre and remained there until 1966. With Ogungbe Theatre he toured almost all towns in old Western Region now Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti. In 1966, he left Ogungbe Theatre, and formed Jimoh Aliu Concert Party. This group was based in Ikare Akoko in Ondo State.
Aliu is a highly respected classical Theatre Arts practitioner with a passionate interest in the life of the community and its cultural heritage, as well as commentator on Nigeria culture abroad, Chief Jimoh Aliu form a bridge between the old and the new Nigeria. He is an actor, scriptwriter, producer/director, singer, dancer and makeup artist, costumes and location designer. He began his acting career in 1959, when Akin Ogungbe, a Nigerian veteran dramatist visited his hometown. He became famous for his hit TV productions, “Arelu” and “Yanpon Yanrin”, which bore famous characters like Fadeyi Oloro, Orisabunmi and Aworo.
Aliu was formerly married to his colleague and Orisabunmi star, Folake Aremu, before they parted ways after 20 years of marriage. He currently has two wives – Queen Bola and Folashade.
After years on the airwaves, he was honoured with a National Merit Award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in December 2005.