Ailing TV star Samanja gets cash donation of N2.5 million

By Olaitan Ganiu

79-year-old ailing TV star, Usman Baba Pategi aka Samanja has gotten a total cash donation of N2.5 million
following the rumour of his death.

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya took turns in donating towards the treatment of the ailing TV star.

Maj. Gen. Faruk Yahaya donated the sum of N2 million naira to the veteran actor, while the Kwara State governor
donated N500,000 in Kaduna.

Yahaya, who was represented by Brig.-Gen Vitalis Okoro, explained that he was informed of the health challenges of the veteran actor and felt obliged to lend some support.

He said Nigerian Army takes pride in identifying with notable public figures who have made a positive impact on
society.

READ ALSO: China breaks world record in jailing journalists – report

“With this important role, he was able to carve a niche for himself in the entertainment industry. Besides, all
that Samanja had done in casting the army in a positive light, he remains an icon of the Nigerian army,” he said.

Samanja, who recalled with nostalgia, his stint in the army expressed his immense gratitude to the COAS and the
Kwara State government for identifying with him.

Samanja, a retired Staff Sergeant of the Nigerian Army, veteran actor, scriptwriter, and director was born into a
the royal house of Pategi in Kwara State and is currently in his 70s.

He became popular in the TV shows and was mostly referred to as Samanja Maza Fama, the word meaning Sergeant-Major (SerMajor) due to the experience he got in his army career.