Actor Jide Kosoko of Nollywood has revealed that he has been suffering from diabetes for the last 30 years and continues to take care of his health as he wants to stay alive.
The 72-year-old actor admitted he had been diagnosed in 1996 in an interview on the Africa A-List podcast.
He has learned to know his body over the years after suffering from diabetes for three decades, and to pay attention to his health, Kosoko said.
He said he has been diabetic since 1996 until now and has kept himself well-maintained, as he has not wanted to die at all.
The actor is responding to criticism that he went to social gatherings when some of his colleagues faced health issues.
He wondered why his attendance at the parties would imply that he is not concerned about the pain of others, pointing out that he has personal health issues.
Jide Kosoko Recalls Scary Medical Experience
The veteran actor also spoke about a medical procedure he recently went through that he said he was “fearing for his life.”
Kosoko admitted that he had been getting a colonoscopy as a means to find any signs of cancer. During the procedure, he was put to sleep and claimed that he nearly died, he explained.
They said they were going to check all the parts of my body and see if there was any cancer there. I was put to sleep and nearly died,” he said.
The experience has also underscored the need to have regular health checks and observe changes in health status.
Actor Urges Nigerians to Take Their Health Seriously
The issue of people taking care of their health, irrespective of their financial status or age, has been highlighted by Kosoko’s comments.
The actor has talked about how to control diabetes with medication, frequent medical testing, and lifestyle.
He cautioned against people believing that there were herbs that can cure diabetes and advised people with diabetes to be educated about their health and take proper medical advice.
He further recommended that Nigerians, especially adults aged 40 and above, get periodic medical checkups to help diagnose potential medical issues early.
Kosoko’s long experience with diabetes serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent medical care and taking personal responsibility for one’s well-being.
The actor is still a veteran in the Nigerian film industry, having embarked on acting for over a term of more than 40 years.
