Kaduna mourns as veteran actor, Kasimu Yero, passes on

A veteran actor in Northern Nigeria, Kasimu Yero is dead. He died on Sunday in his house in Kaduna after a protracted illness at the age of 70.

Yero, was a household name who is fondly remembered for his brilliant role as Uncle Gaga in the 1980’s situational comedy ‘Cock Crow At Down’, and as a lead character in Abubakar Imam’s ‘Magana Jari Ce’.

The deceased is already buried in Kaduna according to Islamic injunctions.

Thousands of sympathisers have been tropping to the family house at Magajin Hari in  Kaduna metropolis to condole with the bereaved family. Among the early caller was the state Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai  . Later in a statement, the governor described the  veteran actor, as a shining star, a colossus of the creative industry.  The governor said that the veteran actor would be missed.

The governor’s tribute to Alhaji Yero was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan.

“Alhaji Kasimu Yero was a shining star whose talent brought him national acclaim for his contribution to culture. He was at the forefront of drama in northern Nigeria, using the then new medium of television to project culture and tradition.

“He was a talented artist, who also mentored several artists who are now household names in their own right. He devoted his talents to nation building, preaching unity across religion, ethnic and regional lines.

Governor El-Rufai and others on his entourage prayed for soul of the departed.”We are proud of his contributions to culture and national unity. On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna State, I hereby extend our condolences to his immediate family, Zazzau Emirate and the entire creative industry in which he so distinguished himself.

“May Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” the governor prayed.