By Emmanuel Nduka
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. farouk Yahaya has gifted N2m to ailing Actor, Usman Baba Pategi, better known as ‘Samanja’, for treatment.
Samanja who is a retired soldier, went into drama in 1985 after his service in the army.
While his ‘Samanja’ drama on NTA lasted, he was the toast of television theatre fans across Nigeria, far beyond the targeted northern audience.
However for some years now, the 79-year-old Samanja has been sick due to old age, battling liver problem. He once received treatment in India before returning to Nigeria.
Unfortunately, his wife who was attending to his needs on the sick bed died, and this reportedly contributed to his worsening health.
The veteran actor has since lived from hand to mouth while struggling to stay alive. Recently, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, came to his aid with a gift of N500,000.
Samanja who hails from Pategi in Kwara State, was rumoured dead few days ago.
His health status was brought to the notice of his colleagues in the army, after which the Army Chief donated the sum through a delegation on Monday.
