Nigerian gospel film director Mike Bamiloye has shared an emotional tribute to the late Moses Korede Are, popularly known as “Baba Gbenro,” following the actor’s passing.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Bamiloye, the founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, revealed what would be Baba Gbenro’s last conversation with him before he was hospitalised.
Recounting, Bamiloye said, “When he was being taken to the hospital and we were talking on the phone, he said: “Please, greet my friend for me. Please, Daddy, I will be well, Don’t let this discourage you from calling me on film location o.”
Reflecting on Korede Are’s dedication to gospel drama, Bamiloye wrote, “Dr. Korede Are has gone home to rest. Our employer in this vineyard is Jesus Christ. He alone knows our closing time at work.”
The tribute post also revealed that Korede Are was working on the set of Abejoye Season 8 and Abattoir 5 before his health took a critical turn.
“We were on location of Abejoye season 8, we did not know he was rounding off his assignment in the Vineyard. He was on the film location of Abattoir 5, we never knew he was rounding off.
“The Lesson for us all is: When will the Master call you to come home and say: IT IS CLOSING TIME,” Bamiloye said, reflecting on the lesson of his friend’s sudden departure.
Describing the actor’s passing as a “gain for Heaven,” Bamiloye wrote, “He died here and woke up there eternally.”
Korede Are, whose memorable role in Abattoir as Baba Gbenro left an enduring mark on audiences, is remembered as a deeply committed servant of God who, according to Bamiloye, has now found peace “resting from series of movie shoots and learning of many lines.”
The actor’s death was announced by his colleague, Oluwaseun Adejumobi, on Thursday, who shared the sad news on his verified Instagram account.