Novelist, playwright, and filmmaker, Biyi Bandele, is dead. He died on Sunday in Lagos at the age of 54. In a statement released by his daughter
Novelist, playwright, and filmmaker, Biyi Bandele, is dead.
He died on Sunday in Lagos at the age of 54.
In a statement released by his daughter, Temi on behalf of the family, he was described as “a prodigiously talented writer and film-maker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father.
“He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen. He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.
“He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say.
“We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and friends as we grieve his loss,” the statement read.
Biyi was born in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, to parents who were from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
His fiction and non-fiction work include The Street, Burma Boy, a novel, a recreation of the story of his father and other veterans of the Second World War, who served in Burma, India, which he was working on to be adapted for film.
His other writing works include The Man Who Came in from the Back of Beyond, The Sympathetic Undertaker, and Yoruba Boy Running, which he recently concluded and submitted for publishing.