Veteran Filmmaker Ola Balogun Leaves Lasting Legacy, Donates Organs in Will

Renowned Nigerian filmmaker Ola Balogun, aged 81, has taken a remarkable step by publicly declaring his last will and testament. While undergoing treatment at the Josek Medical Centre in Ogba, Lagos, following a recent health scare, Balogun chose to make his wishes known, inspired by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In a statement, he explained that his decision was prompted by a fresh medical alert shortly after celebrating his 81st birthday on August 1st, saying, 'Barely a week after I was privileged to celebrate my 81st birthday on August 1st, a fresh medical alert has obliged me to once more seek treatment... Consequently, I am hastily writing these few lines, not knowing whether or not I am destined to emerge alive from my latest confrontation with illness.' Balogun, a pioneer of Nigeria's film industry, has instructed that his viable organs, including his kidneys and eyes, be donated to those in need upon his passing. Furthermore, he has directed that the remainder of his body be donated to medical institutions for the training of future doctors. As he stated, 'I hereby further direct that immediately after my physical demise would have been medically certified, my remains should be speedily dissected in order to extract any vital organs that might be useful for donation... After that, I hereby direct that whatever is left over should be speedily handed over to appropriate medical institutions for use by future doctors.' This decision, according to Balogun, stems from his conviction that his physical remains should be of use to the living. With a career spanning several decades, Balogun has produced numerous films and documentaries in various languages, including English, Yoruba, Pidgin, and Igbo. Some of his notable works include Alpha, Ija Ominira, Amadi, Nigersteel, Ajani Ogun, Musik Man, and Oorun Moru. He is recognized as part of the first generation of Nigerian filmmakers, alongside notable figures such as the late Hubert Ogunde, Ade Love, Jab Adu, and Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala).