AKIN ONI
IN MEMORIAM
The death has been announced in Lagos, on Wednesday 29, 2014 of Akin Oni popularly called ‘Baba Sparks’ who put in more than forty years as electronics and electrical technician in the history of film production in Nigeria. Akin Oni worked with Dr Ola Balogun on Ajani Ogun and later worked with Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love) on Ija Ominira, Kadara, Ija Orogun, Taxi Driver 1 & 2 and Eyin Oku. A close ally of Dr Ola Balogun and a confidant of the doyen of Yoruba Theatre, Hubert Ogunde, Baba Sparks worked on all Ogunde films, Aiye, AropinNteniyan, Jaiyesimi, Ayanmo, and Hollywood’s Mr Johnson, starring Pierce Brosnan and Maynard Eziashi and shot in Toro, Nigeria in 1990. He worked with Dr Ola Balogun on Moses Olaiya’s production of Orun Nmooru, Ola Balogun’s Money Power and other prominent film projects including, Ireke Onibudo, Anikura, Efunsetan, Iwa, Vigilante, Kannakanna, Lishabi, Omo Orukan, Ogun Ajaye, Eri Okan and other projects including documentary and television commercials too numerous to mention. Akin Oni was fun to work with, a professional and socialite, willing to help at all times to keep production going on schedule. He trained some of the prominent lighting technicians serving in the Nigerian film industry today. He was aged 81. May his soul rest in perfect peace.