DOCUMENTARY: Who is Madam Saje ?

-

 By Victor Olubiye


Madam Saje, whose real name is Fausat Balogun, is one of the most respected veteran actresses in the Yoruba movie industry. She was born on February 13, 1959, in Ifelodun area of Lagos State, but she is originally from Oke Ode in Kwara State. Her passion for acting began at a young age when she used to follow theatre groups and watch stage plays in her neighborhood.

Her journey into acting started in the early 1970s when she joined a theatre group led by the legendary Rafiu Balogun. She trained under him, learning the art of traditional stage performance, script delivery, and discipline. It was in this group she earned her first acting role and began gaining recognition. Her big break came in 1990 when she played the role of “Madam Saje” in the popular TV series Erin Kee Kee. The name stuck with her and became her stage name, which many people still call her today.

Fausat Balogun is known for playing the role of a mother in many Yoruba movies, often portraying wise, loving, or sometimes strict maternal characters. Her natural talent and ability to deliver emotional roles made her stand out, and she quickly became a household name in Yoruba homes.

She is married to her long-time colleague and mentor, Rafiu Balogun, the same man who introduced her to acting. They have been together for many years and are blessed with children, some of whom are also involved in the entertainment industry.

Madam Saje’s contribution to the growth of Yoruba movies has been massive. With a career that spans over four decades, she remains active and continues to inspire both younger actors and her fans across Nigeria and beyond.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Forecast Campaign Team Unveils Manifesto Ahead of Ekiti June 20 Polls

-
Image
An image provided by the source shows campaign-branded materials featuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, BAO, and campaign team members By Victor Olubiye The Forecast Campaign Team has unveiled its manifesto and strategic roadmap ahead of the June 20, 2026, gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, outlining what it described as a three-tier agenda focused on continuity in governance, grassroots development, and support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti and signed by the Director General of the campaign team, Seun Akinyele, the organization said it was mobilizing supporters across the state to secure what it described as a decisive electoral victory in the forthcoming poll. According to the statement, the campaign's agenda is built around support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's national development policies, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji's administration in Ekiti State, and the legislative and community developm...
Read more

9PM Panic: How WhatsApp Voice Notes Continue To Shape Public Fear in Nigeria

-
Image
  AI Generated Image By Victor Olubiye From Saturday morning, a strange sense of fear quietly began spreading across different WhatsApp groups and statuses in Nigeria. The source was not a television station or an official security announcement. It was a viral voice note. In the audio message, a man believed by many listeners to be a pastor warned people about a looming calamity expected to happen by 9pm. According to the message, two frightening events — “Afefe” (wind) and “Oro Day,” a traditional occultic rite feared in some Yoruba communities — were expected to occur later that night. As the hours passed, the voice note travelled rapidly from phone to phone. People forwarded it to family groups. Friends reposted it on their WhatsApp statuses. Parents began calling their children, warning them to stay indoors before 9pm. Some students contacted their parents in fear, while others simply stayed alert throughout the day waiting for nightfall. Fear spread faster than verification. A...
Read more

Youth Leader Seun Akinyele Celebrates Birthday as Colleagues Hail His Contributions to National Development

-
Image
  Seun Akinyele By Victor Olubiye June 10 marks the birthday of youth advocate Seun Akinyele, with colleagues and associates celebrating his contributions to youth leadership, civic engagement, and grassroots development across Nigeria through his various leadership roles. Tributes have continued to pour in for Seun Akinyele as he celebrates his birthday on June 10, with admirers describing him as a committed advocate for youth empowerment and institutional development. A native of Araromi Oke in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Akinyele has built a reputation through his involvement in youth-focused initiatives and civic engagement programmes. Within the Intellectual Elite Youth Association of Nigeria> (IEYAN), he serves as the Ekiti State Chapter Secretary, where he has worked alongside the state leadership to coordinate programmes aimed at educating and empowering young people. Click on the graphic to follow us He has also served in administrative and strategi...
Read more

SPECIAL REPORT: Old Beliefs, New Realities: Pastors, Church Workers and Members Speak on Wearing Caps During Prayer and Preaching

-
Image
  Old Beliefs, New Realities: Pastors, Church Workers and Members Speak on Wearing Caps During Prayer and Preaching By Victor Olubiye A simple question about whether a man should wear a cap while praying or preaching has exposed deep differences within the Christian community, with many insisting the issue is rooted in doctrine rather than salvation. The debate began after this reporter came across a thought-provoking WhatsApp Status post by a church leader, Williams Oluwasegun Victor, asking whether wearing a cap while praying or preaching is sinful. The varying reactions that followed prompted a broader investigation involving pastors, church workers and church members from different denominations. To ensure fairness and accuracy, each participant was asked the same questions regarding the biblical basis, modern relevance and spiritual significance of the practice. "It depends on the doctrine of each church" — Iyiola Samuel Church worker Iyiola Samuel believes the issue is ...
Read more

When School Kidnappings Become Normal: Nigeria’s Never-Ending Security Cycle

-
Image
  AI generated image By Victor Olubiye The latest kidnapping of schoolchildren in Oyo State should have shocked Nigeria. Instead, it felt familiar. That is perhaps the most frightening part of the tragedy. Not that armed men invaded a place where children should have been learning. Not that parents were thrown into panic and uncertainty. Not even that another community was forced to confront the nightmare of waiting for news about loved ones taken by criminals. The most frightening part is that many Nigerians have seen this story before. We know the script. We have watched it play out repeatedly. First comes the news alert. Then the outrage. Social media erupts with anger. Politicians issue statements. Security agencies promise action. Hashtags trend. Television stations run special reports. Then, slowly, public attention fades away. Until another school is attacked. Until another set of parents finds itself praying for the safe return of children who left home simply to get an edu...
Read more

NANS Meets Sunday Igboho Over Abducted Students, Seeks Support for Local Security Outfit

-
Image
  President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, with Yoruba nation agitator and leader of the Iru Ekun local security outfit, Sunday Igboho, during a meeting on the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State By Victor Olubiye The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has met with Yoruba nation agitator and leader of the Iru Ekun local security outfit, Sunday Igboho, as part of efforts to secure the release of students and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The meeting, held on Thursday, was led by NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, who said the visit formed part of the association's ongoing engagement with stakeholders to address the security challenges facing students and educational institutions. Akinteye said the abduction of the students and teachers had generated widespread concern among Nigerian students, adding that NANS r...
Read more

EXPLAINER: As Oriire Schoolchildren Remain in Captivity, Can Tinubu's New Security Measures Make a Difference?

-
Image
  An explainer on Nigeria’s new security measures and the urgent question they raise as Oriire schoolchildren remain in captivity By Victor Olubiye On a day set aside to celebrate Nigeria's democratic journey, the country's lingering security crisis overshadowed the occasion. In his 2026 Democracy Day address, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and in Borno State, describing the incidents as painful reminders of the challenges confronting the nation. While expressing hope for the safe return of the victims, the President announced what his administration described as a major security response: the declaration of a security emergency, the approval of the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military personnel, and a ₦5.41 trillion allocation for defence and security in the 2026 budget. For many Nigerians, however, one question remains: Will these measures t...
Read more

CYDAN President Advocates Grassroots Youth Inclusion as Key to Nigeria’s Democratic Future

-
Image
  Seun Akinyele: CYDAN National President By Victor Olubiye The National President of the Constituencies Youths Development Association of Nigeria (CYDAN), Seun Akinyele, has called for greater grassroots youth participation in governance, describing young Nigerians as critical stakeholders in securing the country's democratic future. Akinyele made the call in a statement outlining CYDAN's vision for youth-led development and democratic engagement across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According to him, Nigeria's democratic progress cannot be sustained solely through leadership at the federal and state levels but must be strengthened through active participation at the constituency and community levels. He noted that local communities remain the foundation of the country's democratic structure and argued that empowering young people to engage in governance, accountability, and development initiatives would foster long-term national growth. Foc...
Read more

SHOULD CHRISTIANS STAY AWAY FROM POLITICS? The Debate Dividing the Church

-
Image
  An AI-generated editorial illustration depicting the growing debate among Nigerian Christians ahead of the 2027 General Elections, exploring whether believers and pastors should participate in politics or stay away from a system many consider spiritually compromising. By Victor Olubiye As Nigeria gradually moves toward the much-anticipated 2027 General Elections, conversations around politics are no longer limited to campaign grounds, party offices, or television debates. Increasingly, the discussion has entered churches, fellowships, Bible study groups, and Christian gatherings across the country. From Lagos to Abuja, from village assemblies to urban megachurches, one controversial question continues to divide opinions among believers: Should Christians stay away from politics? For decades, Christians across Nigeria have remained deeply divided over whether believers — especially pastors and church leaders — should participate actively in politics and governance. While some insi...
Read more

COLUMN: The Week I Had to Choose Between Money and Media Independence

-
Image
  Victor Olubiye during a live video coverage for The Creativity Site. B y Victor Olubiye This week, I faced one of the most defining decisions since establishing The Creativity Site. I received offers from political groups seeking to position my platform as one of their media outlets, with promises of substantial payment for every story published in their interest. From a financial standpoint, the proposal was attractive. For any growing media organization, such an offer could easily be seen as a breakthrough. Yet it raised a deeper question: what happens to a media platform when independence is placed on the line? Rather than rushing into a decision, I sought guidance from experienced journalists and media professionals. Their responses were consistent. While involvement in politics remains a personal choice, they warned that allowing a media platform to become financially dependent on political interests can gradually erode its credibility. Several cautioned that immediate finan...
Read more