Olalere Paimo, a seasoned Nollywood actor, is reportedly deceased, but the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) has denied this.

Seun Oleketuyi, a celebrity journalist and chairman of the Best of Nollywood Awards, first revealed the movie star’s passing on Saturday in an Instagram post.

Oleketuyi claims that before his death, the cultural hero Paimo survived two strokes.

“Chief Lere Paimo (MON) has passed away,” he wrote. Baba passed away at 86.

A man of strength. Baba had two stroke survivors.

“May peace be upon Baba’s soul.”

However, the ANTP verified that the actor, better known by his stage name Baba Eda Onile Ola, is still alive and well in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Prince Adejonwo Oluwafemi Femson, the National Public Relations Officer.

“We would like to inform the public that reports circulating on Facebook about the passing of Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR) are false,” the message said.

“Baba Eda Onile Ola’s wife has confirmed to us that he is still alive and well.

“Please ignore these false reports and be mindful that they are being propagated by dishonest individuals.”

ANTP warned against the dissemination of false information and asked people to confirm information before sharing unverified stories.

The message read, “To prevent spreading misinformation, we urge everyone to verify information before sharing.”