Veteran Nigerian actor and broadcaster Sadiq Abubakar Daba, best known as “Bitrus” in the iconic 1970s and 1980s soap opera Cock Crow at Dawn, passed away on the evening of March 3, 2021, at Ayinka General Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.
Daba, aged 69, succumbed after a four-year battle with leukemia and prostate cancer, diagnoses he publicly shared in 2017. A family source confirmed to Vanguard that he was in good spirits before being admitted to the hospital, where he died around 8:30 PM.
A Storied Career
Born in Kano, Nigeria, and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Daba began his career in broadcasting with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) after returning to Nigeria in 1968. His role in Cock Crow at Dawn catapulted him to fame, earning him the enduring nickname “Bitrus.”
In 2015, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor for his role as Inspector Waziri in Kunle Afolayan’s October 1. He also appeared in Afolayan’s Citation (2020), showcasing his enduring talent despite health challenges. In 2018, he was honored with the title “Garkuwan Nollywood” (Shield of Nollywood) by industry stakeholders.
Health Struggles and Public Support
Daba’s 2017 diagnosis of leukemia and prostate cancer led to significant health challenges, including frequent hospitalizations in Nigeria and abroad. Contrary to initial Nigerian medical assessments suggesting the cancer had spread, tests in the UK in 2017 found no spread, and his leukemia was in remission, treatable with medication.
Billionaire Femi Otedola funded his treatment in London in 2019, covering medical bills and providing an oxygen machine and a year’s supply of drugs. Fundraising efforts by Nigerians, including activists Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin, Azuka Jebose, Soni Irabor, and Mabel Oboh, supported his care.
In 2018, Daba joined Project Pink Blue’s cancer awareness walk for World Cancer Day. However, his condition worsened during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, with reports indicating he nearly lost vision in one eye.
Controversial Circumstances
Some associates, including Joe Odumakin, Soni Irabor, and Mabel Oboh, expressed concerns about the medical care Daba received at Ayinka General Hospital, alleging negligence contributed to his death.
Odumakin reported that Daba’s wife noted he had been ill for about a week but was only admitted late on March 3, undergoing tests, including for Covid-19, before being placed on oxygen and passing away. These claims remain unverified, and no official hospital statement has been cited.
Tributes Pour In
Daba’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wrote, “Sad that the cock will no longer crow at dawn. Sadiq Daba, thank you for the joy you brought into our homes.”
Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan described him as “the greatest warrior we’ve ever known,” while publisher Dele Momodu noted his gallant fight. Daba was buried on March 4, 2021, at Agege Muslim Cemetery in Lagos after a brief prayer, attended by family, friends, and actors.
Legacy of Service
Daba, who studied at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, leaves a legacy as a talented broadcaster and actor who used his platform to serve humanity.
His work touched millions, and his resilience in battling chronic illness inspired many. Survived by his wife, Bolaji Daba, and daughter, Joe Okei-Odumakin, his contributions to Nigerian entertainment remain indelible.
