Chief Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian lawyer based in the United States, has shared a heartfelt account of his last-minute attempt to support veteran Nollywood actor Kehinde Olusegun Akinremi, widely known as Chief Kanran, before his recent passing.
Speaking on Tuesday, Salis revealed that he was in contact with the actor shortly before his death. He explained that on July 11, 2025, Chief Kanran sent him a voice note brimming with excitement about his upcoming 70th birthday and 55 years on stage. Weeks later, tragedy struck when Kanran disclosed in another voice note on July 27 that he was battling severe appendicitis and urgently needed ₦700,000 for surgery, with ₦350,000 still outstanding.
“On the same July 27, I immediately sent him ₦350,000 to cover the balance,” Salis said. “On July 28, he sent a voice note of appreciation, thanking me for the timely help. On August 1, he sent another message of gratitude.”
Despite the timely support, the beloved actor passed away just three days later, leaving Salis “completely devastated.” The lawyer also contributed financially towards Kanran’s burial on August 18.
Describing the loss, Salis called it “shocking, lamentable and devastating,” noting that the actor passed just weeks before his milestone 70th birthday. He lauded Kanran as “an iconic prodigy who bestrode the Nigerian stage like a colossus,” placing him among legendary figures such as Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, and Oyin Adejobi.
Salis recalled Kanran’s most memorable performances, including his portrayal of Alaafin Kanran, which earned him his stage name. He praised the actor’s adaptability, stating that he could effortlessly switch from portraying royalty to playing a gang leader “with remarkable flair and panache.”
The lawyer also highlighted the late actor’s struggles in his final years, recalling how Kanran lost his cars, studio, and home in a fire, eventually becoming homeless and sleeping in a church following the deaths of his two wives.
“It is tragic that such a man, who gave so much to Nigerian theatre, faced so much hardship in his lifetime without sufficient support,” Salis said, urging Nollywood, government, and corporate institutions to honor the late legend. He also called on the Nigerian film industry to unite in creating stronger support systems to ensure other actors do not endure similar neglect.
