In a somber turn of events, the Kannywood film industry mourns the loss of one of its veteran actors, Usman Baba Pategi, popularly known as Samanja. The news of his demise was confirmed on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness.
Samanja, who was based in Kaduna, had a multifaceted career. Besides his contributions to Kannywood, he served as a former staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Kaduna and had a background as a retired soldier.
Survived by two wives and 14 children, Samanja’s funeral took place in Kaduna on the same day, adhering to Islamic burial rites. His passing leaves a void in the Kannywood community, and tributes continue to pour in for the late actor.