The president described the death of the popular thespian as a painful loss, saying he contributed to the country through the various vocations he pursued in his lifetime.

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“The late Pategi chose to obey the call to national duty when the country needed his service. His television show, Samanja, was must-watch entertainment for decades. Through the show, he taught young citizens national values and respect for our service people. He was a patriot who left behind several indelible impressions,” the president said.

President Tinubu encouraged the Pategi family, the people and government of Kwara State, the Pategi Emirate Council, and members of the Nigerian entertainment industry to take comfort in the worthy legacy of the deceased.

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He was 81 years old.

His death was announced by a theatre consultant, Husseini Shaibu, on Sunday via his Facebook page.

The cause of his death is yet unknown.

Shaibu said,  “I have been reliably informed that light has dimmed on the veteran actor, Usman Baba Pategi, popularly known as Samanja Mazan Fama.

“The actor who rode to national prominence in the 80’s playing Samanja in the defunct NTA drama series (about life of soldiers in the barracks), titled ‘Samanja’, reportedly passed on around 12 midnight on Sunday.

“The last time I saw Samanja was in Lagos in 2019, when he was awarded the Fellowship of Theatre Arts (fta) by the Israel Eboh-led National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners.

“Journey Well Sir…. Good Night Samanja!,” he said.

Some actors also took to the comment section of the post to pay their tribute to the deceased.

Okey Ogunjiofor said, “The Legends who made our early days sweet are departing gradually. May his soul rest in peace.”

Pategi was born on May 20, 1942, into the royal house of Pategi Emirate in Pategi, Northern Nigeria.

He is the son of Etsu Usman Patako, late King of Pategi.

The popular actor, writer and director starred in the populous Hausa film known as Samanja, Yusuf’s Ladan’s Zaman,  Duniya Iyawa Ne and all.

Pategi gained popularity on the movie Samanja in the likes of mixing Hausa/English and pidgin English.

Source: NAN

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