United States-based lawyer and astronaut, Owolabi Salis, has recounted details of his last-minute intervention to save the life of late Nollywood veteran, Kehinde Olusegun Akinremi, popularly known by the stage name, Chief Kanran.

Chief Kanran, a celebrated theatre icon, passed on last week before his planned 70th birthday celebration and 55 years on stage.

According to a statement on Tuesday, Salis said the late actor reached out to him in July seeking financial support for an urgent surgery.

“On July 27, he sent two voice notes saying he was severely plagued by appendicitis, which had subjected him to unbearable pain.

“The actor needed N700,000 for an operation and requested N350,000 to complete the hospital bill,” Salis recounted.

Silas added that he immediately transferred the requested amount to the veteran actor.

According to him, Kanran expressed gratitude for the support through subsequent voice notes on July 28 and August 1.

“However, barely three days later, I received the shocking news of his death. It was a devastating moment for me,” Salis said.

He disclosed that he also sent financial support to Kanran’s family on August 18 as his contribution toward the burial.

Paying tribute to the late thespian, Salis described him as “an iconic prodigy who bestrode the thespian world like a colossus,” comparing his artistic legacy to the likes of Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Kola Ogunmola, and Oyin Adejobi.

He recalled that Kanran’s most memorable performance was his role as Alaafin Kanran of the Oyo Empire, a performance that earned him the stage name Chief Kanran and endeared him to audiences nationwide.

“Chief Kanran was unique in his craft, whether playing a king, a romantic sugar daddy, or even a criminal role. His versatility and mastery set him apart,” Salis noted.

Beyond his professional achievements, Salis lamented the personal tragedies the actor endured in his lifetime, including the loss of his cars, studio, and house to a fire, as well as the deaths of his two wives, which left him homeless at one point.

“It is unfortunate that he went through such hardship without meaningful intervention from the government or well-meaning Nigerians.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to support actors and creatives who contribute immensely to our culture,” Salis said.

He urged Nollywood stakeholders, corporate bodies, and government institutions to immortalise Chief Kanran, describing his passing as “the end of an era” and “a tragedy too many.”(The PUNCH)