LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-Veteran Nollywood star Kola Oyewo has spoken candidly about his health battle, revealing how prostate enlargement slowed down his once-active acting career.
During a recent visit to the actor’s home in Ile-Ife by filmmaker Kunle Afod, the 80-year-old Yoruba movie icon explained that his absence from the screen in recent years was due to the condition, which has limited the kind of roles he can take on.
According to Oyewo, there was a time when he could easily move from one film location to another, fully immersed in demanding roles. However, the illness changed that reality, forcing him to slow down on work and focus fully on recovery.
“Before now, I could go from one location to another and play any role, but the illness has laid me back. I can no longer play certain roles except for some minor roles,” he said.
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He went on to describe how the symptoms began, noting that persistent sleepless nights and frequent urination raised concerns.
Eventually, the situation worsened, prompting him to seek medical attention, where he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.
“I drove myself to the hospital after having sleepless nights, frequent urination and sometimes urinating on my body before I got to the toilet. After a series of tests, I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate,” the actor added.
Despite the challenges, the respected actor expressed gratitude for life and gradual recovery, maintaining a hopeful outlook even as he recovers.
“I thank God because I’m getting better now. You can’t go through some kind of sickness and go back to how you’ve been before, but I thank God. There are so many people of my age that are still stronger than I am, but I thank God for preserving my life,” Oyewo stated.
Oyewo, who joined the Nigerian film industry in 1964, became widely known for his performances in stage and screen classics such as The Gods Are Not to Blame and Sango. Beyond acting, he also made his mark in academia, serving as a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University from 1996 until his retirement in 2011.
