A veteran Nollywood Comedian, Kunle Tokunbo, popularly known as Dejo Tunfulu, who died around 11pm on Thursday March 31, 2022 at the age of 49 was buried today on his piece of land located at Agbowa Area of Lagos State.
According to his colleagues, Tunfulu, an indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, who died at General Hospital, Ikorodu has been sick for sometime with dark spots all over his body.
Prior to his death, the deceased attended the 13th Birthday Colloquium in honoured of Bola Ahmed Tinubu 70th birthday anniversary slated for Tuesday March 29, 2022. On Wednesday, he went to a location to take part in a movie production.
Speaking on his death, a veteran Yoruba Actor, Rammy Shita Bay, revealed that the deceased was diagnosed of severe malaria and lack of adequate blood and water at the time he was rushed to the hospital very late yesterday.
He explained, “I was with him after 11am yesterday. We both went to the colloquium programme organised for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday. I drove him home and he told me that he would go to a location on Wednesday and he actually went. We were both living in the same area. He came back from the location on Thursday and said that he wanted to eat “amala” and that his children should prepare it for him. His children prepared “Amala” for him and after eating it, he vomited it. The children prepared “ogi” (pap) for him, he drank and vomited it. That was the beginning of the problem.
“He was rushed to the hospital. His children called all of us in the morning and told us what happened. I went there. The hospital personnel set drip for him, giving him blood and water. They said he had severe malaria and there was no blood in his system. I left the place around 6pm. I said that I wanted to go somewhere and that on my way back, I will check on him. His child, Muiz later called me to inform me that they needed more blood to be passed on him and I went back and arranged for another pints of blood. He was receiving that blood when I left the place around after 11pm.
“I got home around to 12midnight and I dropped my phone and slept off. I put my phone on silence as usual. In the morning, I found that I had several calls. Muiz has been calling me since after 12 midnight. I called Muiz back and he told me that his father died shortly after I left the hospital. Muiz said his father died immediately I left yesterday. Immediately, we started thinking of how to bury him because he was a Muslim. His Muslim name is Abdulramon Makinde. We called the family who said that they have a family vault, where he will be buried but later they called us and told us that we should come and bury him. He had two pieces of land, which he has not developed but we decided to bury him on his land in Agbowa. He is from Abeokuta.”
Rammy Shita Bay, Yomi Fabiyi, Adewale Elesho and Wunmi Yetunde described Tunfulu as good, humble and professional, who always put his best in whatever role he is giving to perform.
Wunmi stated that she has known him in the industry since 1989 and it would take a while to come out of the shock of his death.
Another thespian, Madam Kudirat Kazeem Atinuke, popularly known as Mama No Network, who could not hold back her tears, said that they were so close and have known each other when things were not really pleasant.
Explaining that Tunfulu stood by her during her trial period, she said she was surprised to see the deceased in an unhealthy state when she came back from USA.
“If Tuntuflu does not have food at home, he would call me and asked if I have food and I will say yes. He would come immediately and I will prepare food for him and he would eat. Our spirit worked together. we worked together. I went to UK and when I came back, he called me and asked where I was, I told him I was at home and he came immediately. He told me that when I went to USA, he fell sick. I felt bad when I saw him because he was not looking good. He asked me to give him food and I called the children to prepare food for him. They prepared it and gave it to him. He ate and drank 5 Alive. I never knew he would die like this.”
Yomi Fabiyi said, “Since I know him, he never came late to the location. He was very professional. He has talent. He has been acting before I was born. He was humble. He corrects with love. My last production, “Ore Merin”, he got to the location waiting. He called me from the location that he was already there waiting. As at that time, he was already sick and I showed concern. He did very well on set. He was so professional, detailed and supportive. He has made lots of souls laugh. He established himself. He was an icon and a veteran. He does not get angry.”
