Femi Ogunrombi: The Face Behind the Laughter – Remembering Papa Ajasco
Femi Ogunrombi: The Face Behind the Laughter – Remembering Papa Ajasco
To a generation of Nigerians and millions across Africa, the name Papa Ajasco brings to mind belly-shaking laughter, slapstick antics, and a comedy of manners that mirrored the society with wit and charm. At the heart of this cultural phenomenon stood Femi Ogunrombi, the beloved thespian who stepped into the oversized shoes of Papa Ajasco and made them his own.
Though not the original actor in the role, Ogunrombi became a household name when he took over the character in the early 2000s. His signature bald head-slap and booming laugh became iconic, and his presence revitalized the series at a time when it risked fading into the background of Nigerian television.
A Series That Shaped a Nation’s Humor
Papa Ajasco and Company wasn’t just entertainment—it was a social commentary cleverly wrapped in comedy. Created by Wale Adenuga, the show was a spin-off of the 1984 feature film Papa Ajasco, itself based on the racy comic Ikebe Super. It brought together a motley cast:
– Papa Ajasco, the skirt-chasing patriarch,
– Mama Ajasco, his no-nonsense wife,
– Bobo Ajasco, their witty son,
– Boy Alinco, the strutting ladies’ man,
– Miss Pepeiye, the calculating gold-digger,
– Pa James and Pa Jimoh, two bumbling elders who saw the world through naive eyes.
Each episode offered a reflection of real societal concerns—corruption, infidelity, poverty, education—but always delivered with laughter and levity.
A Legacy of Laughter
Femi Ogunrombi was more than a comic figure. He was a seasoned actor, music director, and culture advocate. He served as the Director of Music at the National Troupe of Nigeria and left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s performing arts scene. His portrayal of Papa Ajasco preserved the show’s relevance and ensured its continued popularity not only in Nigeria but in twelve African countries where it was syndicated weekly.
The Curtain Falls
Femi Ogunrombi passed on in 2023, but his memory lives on in every child who copied his signature head slap, in every family that gathered around the TV on weekend evenings, and in the laughter that echoed through living rooms and across generations. “He wore the mask of comedy but carried the soul of a storyteller. In Papa Ajasco, he gave us joy; in life, he gave us culture. Rest well, Femi Ogunrombi.”