Top Nigerian Musicians Mourn OJB’s Death

Popular producer, singer
and studio owner, OJB Jezreel, has passed away. Inside sources disclosed that OJB Jezreel whose real name is Babatunde Okungbowa died Tuesday morning June 14, from a relapse of kidney disease he successfully operated upon three years ago when friends, family and well wishers pooled together over N26 million to help him conduct the kidney transplant.
His first wife, Mabel, had donated one of her kidneys to him. He reportedly had the relapse about two weeks ago with his family keeping him on dialysis. The singer went into coma on Monday and later died. He is survived by three wives and 8 children.
The ‘Jiggaman’ is a renowned producer, writer and executive producer for over two decades. He started music in 1985. His biggest breakthrough was with 2face’s ‘African queen’ setting a yet to be beaten record not just in Nigeria but in Africa 10 million copies in Nigeria alone and 8 million copies internationally, this made him the most sort after producer in Nigeria and some regions of Africa.
In June 2013, he revealed  to Nigerians that his two kidneys had stopped working. In July 4, 2013, former Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, ordered that a sum of $100,000 be given to him (OJB) for his kidney transplant which is the total sum needed for the operation and also covered feeding and accommodation cost. The musician had a successful kidney transplant operation in India on October 21, 2014, His first wife, Mabel donated one of her kidneys to him.
OJB released a new track in May 31st 2016 titled “O da bi, he died at the age of 49 just a month to his 50th birthday.
Meanwhile, top music industry acts including Peter Okoye, Yemi Alade, Sound Sultan among others, have come out to pay tribute to the late producer as OJB was said to have helped build the careers of some of the biggest names we know in the Nigeria music Industry today including the likes of Wizkid, Psquare, 2-face Idibia, Yemi Alade and many more.
“We all mourn the dead, but we don’t know who goes next. Life is a lesson and an Odyssey. Till we meet again I will Cherish the memories I have the opportunity you gave us with your open door policy that nowadays stardom packagers know nothing of from Sodiyen to every other massive hit you made your humility remain unchanged. I pray Paradise for you,” they said.