Late veteran Nollywood actor, Kehinde Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, was severely plagued by appendicitis before his demise.
Naijaonpoint reports that United States-based lawyer and astronaut, Owolabi Salis, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, recounting details of his last-minute intervention to save the actor’s life.
Salis said that Chief Kanran reached out to him in July seeking financial support for an urgent surgery, and he immediately transferred the requested amount to the actor.
According to him, Kanran expressed gratitude for the support through subsequent voice notes on July 28 and August 1.
He said, “On July 27, he sent two voice notes saying he was severely plagued by appendicitis, which had subjected him to unbearable pain.
“The actor needed N700,000 for an operation and requested N350,000 to complete the hospital bill.
“However, barely three days later, I received the shocking news of his death. It was a devastating moment for me.”
Salis described the late actor as “an iconic prodigy who bestrode the thespian world like a colossus,” comparing his artistic legacy to the likes of Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, and Oyin Adejobi.
He recalled that Kanran’s most memorable performance was his role as Alaafin Kanran of the Oyo Empire, which earned him the stage name Chief Kanran and endeared him to audiences nationwide.
He remarked, “Chief Kanran was unique in his craft, whether playing a king, a romantic sugar daddy, or even a criminal role. His versatility and mastery set him apart.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Salis lamented the personal tragedies the actor endured in his lifetime, including the loss of his cars, studio, and house to a fire, as well as the deaths of his two wives, which left him homeless at one point.
He said, “It is unfortunate that he went through such hardship without meaningful intervention from the government or well-meaning Nigerians.
“This should serve as a wake-up call to support actors and creatives who contribute immensely to our culture.”
Salis further urged Nollywood stakeholders, corporate bodies, and government institutions to immortalise Chief Kanran, describing his passing as “the end of an era” and “a tragedy too many.”
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