A US-based lawyer and astronaut, Owolabi Salis, has shared a heart-wrenching account of his last-minute efforts to save the life of renowned Nollywood actor, Kehinde Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known as “Chief Kanran.”
Salis recalled that on July 11, 2025, Chief Karan sent a voice note notifying him that he wanted to celebrate both his 70th birthday anniversary and 55 years on stage.
However, things took a turn for the worse when Chief Kanran sent voice notes on July 27, informing Salis that he was suffering from appendicitis and needed urgent medical attention, which would cost N700,000.
“I immediately dispatched a sum of N350,000 to him as requested,” Salis said.
According to Salis, Chief Kanran sent voice notes of appreciation on July 28 and August 1, thanking him for his timely assistance.
However, just a few days later, news of Chief Karan’s sudden demise shook Salis, who described the loss as “shocking, lamentable, and devastating.”
“The announcement of the sudden death of the celebrated theater impressario barely three days later got me completely swept off my feet in inexpressible shock from which I am yet to recover,” Salis revealed.
Salis described Chief Kanran as an iconic prodigy who bestrode the thespian firmament like a colossus.
“He was simply unique in his own sphere and unsurpassed throughout his eventful sojourn on the thespian space,” Salis stated.
The astronaut-lawyer highlighted Chief Karan’s exceptional acting skills, particularly in his role as Alaafin Kanran, which earned him the unique brand of “Chief Kanran.”
Salis also noted that Chief Karan’s ability to adapt to different roles was remarkable, citing his impressive performance as the head of a gang of armed robbers in one of his plays.
Salis expressed sadness that Chief Kanran had gone through excruciating challenges, including losing his cars, studio, and home in a fire outbreak, and the death of his two wives in quick succession.
“It was unfortunate that he had to go through this devastating sorry pass of cruel fate without any attempt by well-meaning Nigerians and government in particular to take meaningful measures to address his harrowing plight, in his lifetime,” Salis lamented.
The astronaut-lawyer called on Nollywood members to rally together in solidarity to champion their cause and seek more recognition from the government.
“Ugly scenarios of such nature are fraught with the grim prospect to stifle or paralyse the impulse for creative expressions,” Salis warned.
Salis concluded by describing Chief Karan’s passing as the passing of an era and a significant loss to the industry.
“His glorious passing rings with irresistible nostalgic passion, in his exploit that took after the tradition of departed grandmasters in the mould of Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi, among others who had carved an indelible footprint on the sand of time,” Salis stated.