Kasimu Yero (1947-2017)

Kasimu Yero, a veteran actor who emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, died on Sunday at his residence in Kaduna after a protracted illness at the age of 70. He was one of the lead characters, that is, the hilarious and unforgettable ‘Uncle Gaga,’ in the now rested Nigerian Television Authority (NTA’s) Cock Crow at Dawn. Yero was buried at the Bachama Road Cemetery in Kaduna State capital.

Born in Zaria in 1947, the late actor moved to Kaduna when he became of school-age to live with his grandfather, Malam Mohammed Sambo. His grandfather was renowned in Zaria and held the traditional title of Magajin Garin Kaduna. The late Yero launched into playwriting and acting early in life, and his brilliance shone in the weekly television plays in Hausa which were highly rated in terms of performance and aesthetics. Most recently, Kasimu Yero’s “Kasarmu Ce” was produced by Matthew Rose, an international actor and producer.

The actor’s passage came as a shock to many in Northern Nigeria, especially members of the creative community. This is because Yero was one of the leading characters in Abubakar Imam’s television drama series in Hausa, ‘Magana Jari Ce,’ meaning ‘Wisdom is an Asset.’ A colossus of the creative industry, the deceased had a flair for interpreting humorous scripts. No wonder, his talent and contributions to culture brought him fame nationwide and even beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Kasimu Yero had said severally that his mission in life was to live and make others happy. In doing so, he succeeded in carving a niche for himself. He has left a giant footprint worthy of emulation by artists still living, to imbibe his good works. In an interview with the Daily Trust last year, the late veteran actor stated how he would like to be remembered. He had said, “I only want to be remembered for what I have been able to do. It is only natural that what people would remember you for is what you have been doing and how successful that thing was. Whatever you desire to do as your profession, when you do it well, you will be happy with yourself and people will definitely appreciate that you have done it to the best of your ability.”

In reality, he lived these words. He was an epitome of hard work and excellence at his chosen career, and that was evident in the fact that millions of Nigerians anxiously waited for the next episode of Cock Crow at Dawn. They were glued to the NTA every Sunday all the years it ran. Yero’s lifestyle and commitment was a lesson in dedication to the Nigerians at a time when most persons do not live for values and philosophies, but for money and material resources. Though Yero did not die rich, he made a mark that money cannot buy in the memory of Nigerians of all persuasions.

We condole with the family of the deceased and loved ones. We also condole with the Zazzau Emirate. Many will miss the shining star who strode at the forefront of drama, a talented artist, a pillar of the film industry, who mentored many artists that are now household names in their own right. He was a great Ambassador of Nigeria’s filmmaking and motion pictures worldwide. The late actor’s contributions to culture and national unity, his devotion to nation building, preaching unity across religion, ethnic and regional lines are things Nigeria remains proud of. His demise is a great loss, not only to millions of his teeming fans, the Hausa movie industry (Kannywood), but also to Nigeria’s motion picture industry in general.

Kasimu Yero is survived by eight children.