Iyabo Oko Biography: Age, illness, daughter, death speculations
Previously, it was widely rumored that the renowned Yoruba actress Iyabo Oko had passed away; however, these claims have been refuted by her youngest daughter, Olamide Oduola.
This follows after Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola took to her social media to share a video of Olamide dismissing her mother’s death speculations. Foluke Daramola had previously sought donations to support the veteran actress, who has been unwell for five years.
For those unfamiliar, Iyabo Oko has made significant strides in the Yoruba film industry; she is celebrated for her diverse acting talents.
To learn more about Iyabo Oko, keep reading this article.
Profile Overview
| Real Name | Odukanmi Kudirat |
| Also referred to as | Apoti Aje, Iyabo Oko, Sisi Mama |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of Birth | 15th of November 1960 |
| Age | 61 in 2021 |
| Place of birth | Iwo local government, Osun state |
| Profession | Actress |
Iyabo Oko’s Biography
Born Odukanmi Kudirat on November 15, 1960, in the Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria, the veteran spent part of her youth in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
Education
Iyabo Oko attended Oke-Ola Primary School in Iwo, Osun State. She moved to Port Harcourt, where her father, a soldier in the Nigerian Army, was stationed, and she enrolled at St. Andrews Secondary School in Port Harcourt.
Career
Driven by her passion for acting, Iyabo Oko ran away from home to join a theatrical group, necessitating her father to bring her back. Reportedly, this occurred twice, yet she continued to return to the troupe.
Iyabo Oko entered Nollywood as a teenager in 1973, participating in the Eda Onileola theatre troupe without her parents’ endorsement.
She later began featuring in Nollywood films after joining Oga Bello’s theatre group in Lagos. Iyabo Oko gained prominence thanks to her role in the film Oko, produced by Oga Bello, which earned her the nickname Iyabo Oko.
When she achieved fame, her father had passed, yet her mother was alive to witness her success within the film industry. She has appeared in films like Idunnu Okan, Mayowa, Adesoro, Okobo Dimeji, among many others.
Illness
In 2018, it was reported widely that veteran actress Kudirat Odukanmi Oluyemi, also recognized as Iyabo Oko, had endured a health challenge in 2016, prompting her to travel overseas with her eldest son for urgent treatment.
Upon her return to Nigeria, the once robust actress had lost some weight as she explained in an interview that she was advised to minimize stress-related activities. She suggested she might take an indefinite hiatus from the film industry for a swift recovery. Initially, the veteran actress had been diagnosed in Nigeria at a hospital located in the Yaba region of Lagos State.
Recognition
In 2016, the City People Awards recognized Iyabo Oko with a Special Recognition Award for her outstanding contributions to the development of the Film Industry in the country.
