Jide Kosoko at 60

Jide Kosoko turns 60, srikes pose with daughter, Sola Kosoko and Shaffy. Photo: Olorisupergal

The movie industry turned out en masse to celebrate veteran actor Jide Kosoko, who turned 60 on Sunday, January 12, 2014.

A 2-in-1 event which held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, was put together by Seun Oloketuyi of Best of Nollywood to honour the thespian.
‘It is a great feeling to be honoured by people who consider you an influence in their lives,’ Kosoko told swaGaPrince correspondent, ‘But most importantly I am grateful to God for having led me through all these years.’
Turning 60 is indeed a great landmark for the actor, who revealed plans to capture his life in an autobiography that will be launched in March.
‘My book titled, ‘Warriors Lamentations’, will be launched in March. You should expect it,’ Kosoko said.
Earlier, it was reported that ‘The Prince’, as Kosoko is fondly called by close friends, is also making plans to launch a foundation.
‘The Jide Kosoko Foundation will concentrate on mental health. We hope to create a rehabilitation centre for the mentally sick,’ the actor told Encomium magazine in an interview.
Popular actress, Iyabo Ojo, who also spoke to swaGaPrince extolled the ANTP President for the impact he has had on her and other actors.
‘He is indeed a great man that has had a lot of impact in our lives. We are proud to be associated with him and we wish him all the best in life,’ Ojo said.

Also speaking to swaGaPrince, actress Fathia Balogun (now Fathia Williams) praised the celebrant for his outstanding leadership of the ANTP.

‘We appreciate God for his life. His has been a strong pillar of our association and also a dedicated and selfless leader,’ she said.

Kosoko has had his fair share of tragedy. In October 1992 and November 1993, he lost his first and second wives to untimely deaths. Kosoko later married two new wives, Karimat and Henrietta (who is a popular Yoruba actress).

A few of Kosoko’s children have also followed in his footstep, joining the acting profession.

Born in 1954 in Lagos Island to a royal family, Kosoko has been acting since he was 10 years old when he joined a theatre group. He attended Yaba College of Technology where he studied Business Administration.

He remains one of the few actors who have successfully featured in both Yoruba and English movies. Some of his major movies are ‘The Meeting’, ‘Last Flight To Abuja’, ‘The Figurine’, ‘Jenifa‘, ’Bolode O Ku’, ‘Kanyinsola’, ‘Oogun Aje’, and ‘Omo Iya Meta Leyi’.

The 2-in1 event kicked off in the morning at the Eagles Park, Ikeja, with a lecture titled ‘Paradigm Shift to Excellence and Global Market’, while the party was held at TROY Lounge, Ogba, Lagos.

Popular faces at the events included, Fidelis Duker, Zik Zulu Okafor, Fathia Balogun, Oga Bello, Antar Laniyan, Doris Simeon and Yemi Solade.