Urgent help needed for Tajudeen Kolawole

The late 80’s and 90’s are period that have been described as a defining moment for the motion picture industry, particularly television. That was when film and television audiences were served quality productions from the creative pouches of icons such as Lola Fani-Kayode, Tunde Kelani, Laolu Ogunniyi, and the late Ladi Ladebo amongst many others.

Of course, industry observers of that era agree that one motion picture personality that energised most of the productions with the best of motion picture equipment was the late Uncle Wale Fanu who passed on months back and has since been buried. But those equipment would not work without crewmembers and one of the very prominent crewmember of that era, Tajudeen Kolawale, has been bedridden since 2014. No thanks to a tragic road traffic accident that happened around the headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; it has rendered Tajudeen Kolawole paraplegic.

“I have been in that state since 2014 when I had that unfortunate accident,’’ he said when Moviedom asked how long he has been bedridden.

The film crewmember who has worked with industry greats such as Tunde Kelani and Lola Fani-Kayode revealed that if he has to move around, it will be on a wheel chair.

“I hardly even go out, except if I develop any health condition or if I have a very special event to attend. For instance, I recently braved it and attended the burial ceremony of one of my Oga’s in the profession, Uncle Wale Fanu. It was there that I took that picture with Uncle Tunde Kelani that I gave you. So, my life has been the bed and wheel chair since 2014,’’ he said trying hard enough not to betray emotion.

Asked if he was active in the industry before the accident, TJ as he is simply called on set, revealed that after working in the 90’s, he relocated to Vietnam where he worked as a teacher for five years. He disclosed that he only came on vacation from Vietnam and was on his way to see his mum in Ibadan when he was involved in the accident.

“The church and people of goodwill contributed to my upkeep for months. Whilst relying on the goodwill of friends and relatives, my wife who had been devoted and taking good care of me, after I became bed-ridden, passed on. Things have gotten dire for me.”

While pleading for assistance, he said, “I have exhausted all my savings and I am shy to continue to bother my former professional colleagues in the film industry, as well as my friends to take care of my condition. I am therefore looking for a foundation and or an NGO that can help me cope better with life’s challenges.”

TJ is also hoping that he gets help so as to be placed on a procedure that can free his hands and make him less reliant on third parties to do the basic things of life to provide him more relief. Those who wish to contact TJ can reach him on 0808 469 8455.