Producer and singer,
Babatunde Okungbowa, who is well known as OJB Jezreel has been reported
dead.
*OJB
*OJB
The popular music producer last year talked about how he was down with
kidney related disease, and consequently was flown to India for a
transplant, two things pre-occupied his mind. They were, the fear of the
unknown and that of the mystery of death.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/ojb-jezreel-49-dead/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/ojb-jezreel-49-dead/
Mabel’s praise
After the successful surgery, OJB showered praises on his first wife,
Mama J, for being there for him and donating one of her kidneys to save
his life.
He had said: “She is a wonderful person because it is one thing if God
is telling you to do something but another to do it. It takes a lot of
courage to actually do it.
“Even when the doctors came to tell her that they would have to cut her
all the way to the back and would have to remove a rib so they could
have access to the kidney, she still agreed to go through it. It takes
courage to go through with it. So, I will say she is a courageous
woman.”
It would be recalled that shortly after his return to the country, OJB
set up a foundation called, OJB Foundation, which he used to solicit
support for those suffering from kidney-related diseases.
He stated that the foundation would mainly act as a dialysis centre,
providing financial relief for patients who spend their life savings on
dialysis.
Speaking at the ceremony, the legendary music producer had thanked those
who came to celebrate with him and called for support towards his
foundation, saying “after surviving the major operation, I thought of
how to give back to the society, and this is one of the ways I would
love to do that. I want you all to help make this dream come true.”
Last chat with Vanguard
Recounting the horrible experience, he had, while battling the
life-threatening disease in an interview with Vanguard, the respected
producer said he was tempted to consider the possibilities of giving up
the ghost.
According to him, “what was going through my mind was basically what was
going through the minds of over 30 million people that have kidney
related problems. Honestly, when you are younger, you do not think about
death. But for some reasons, I had to think and consider death.
“I considered the possibilities that it could happen. And of course,
when I start considering the possibilities of dying, everything starts
flashing back to me: did I do enough? What didn’t I do right? If I die
now, what is going to happen to my family and business?
“The pressure of the thought begin to increase upon you, as the days go
by. The psychological trauma is bigger than what you can imagine.”
OJB said while the trauma lasted, he did not give up the fight to
survive because he was “blessed during that passing phase of his life.”
Colleagues pay tributes
However, since the news of his demise broke, the music producer’s
colleagues and friends in the entertainment industry have been paying
glowing tributes to him.
K-Solo, a singer and music producer, was the first to pay tribute to the
deceased. According to him, “All glory be to God Almighty, who gave OJB
to us and has taken him. OJB will never be forgotten in my career.”
Also, Peter Okoye of P-Square fame, said: “Another day, another sad
news. You will surely be missed my brother, OJB Jezreel. God knows
best.”
COSON said: “We are heartbroken at COSON as we mourn the passing on this
morning of our front line member, the immensely-talented singer and
producer, OJB Jezreel who worked with 2Face to craft the monster hit,
“African Queen.” COSON condoles the family, friends and fans of this
music maker.”
Destiny Awanfo, alias Ocean P, said: “OJB is just like the god of the
street because he has been there for so many of us. He has written songs
for so many great artistes, and produced them. Even when you do not
have money for your production, OJB is not that kind of man that would
let you go back to where you are coming from.
“He must give you a reason to smile even when you are just coming up and
does not know what to sing about.”
OJB, however, would be remembered for his work with Oxygen, Paul Play,
Ruggedman, X-Appeal, Jazzman, 2face Idibia among others.
He produced pop icon 2face Idibia’s classic debut album ‘Grass to Grace’
and the seminal, industry-redefining 2001 rap single ‘Ehen Pt. 1.’
His Silverpoint Studios in Gbaja, a neighbourhood in Lagos Mainland, was
for many years a Mecca of sort, for those seeking an entry into the
Nigerian music industry.
OJB may not have recorded significant success in his career as a music
producer, but he had been the pillar behind the music of most successful
Nigerian artistes. Some of his solo hits include “Jah’s is my lite,”
“Searching,” “Beautiful as you are,” “Pretete” and “Shitta Anthem.”
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/legendary-ojb-jezreel-dies-3-years-kidney-transplant/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/legendary-ojb-jezreel-dies-3-years-kidney-transplant/
Mabel’s praise
After the successful surgery, OJB showered praises on his first wife,
Mama J, for being there for him and donating one of her kidneys to save
his life.
He had said: “She is a wonderful person because it is one thing if God
is telling you to do something but another to do it. It takes a lot of
courage to actually do it.
“Even when the doctors came to tell her that they would have to cut her
all the way to the back and would have to remove a rib so they could
have access to the kidney, she still agreed to go through it. It takes
courage to go through with it. So, I will say she is a courageous
woman.”
It would be recalled that shortly after his return to the country, OJB
set up a foundation called, OJB Foundation, which he used to solicit
support for those suffering from kidney-related diseases.
He stated that the foundation would mainly act as a dialysis centre,
providing financial relief for patients who spend their life savings on
dialysis.
Speaking at the ceremony, the legendary music producer had thanked those
who came to celebrate with him and called for support towards his
foundation, saying “after surviving the major operation, I thought of
how to give back to the society, and this is one of the ways I would
love to do that. I want you all to help make this dream come true.”
Last chat with Vanguard
Recounting the horrible experience, he had, while battling the
life-threatening disease in an interview with Vanguard, the respected
producer said he was tempted to consider the possibilities of giving up
the ghost.
According to him, “what was going through my mind was basically what was
going through the minds of over 30 million people that have kidney
related problems. Honestly, when you are younger, you do not think about
death. But for some reasons, I had to think and consider death.
“I considered the possibilities that it could happen. And of course,
when I start considering the possibilities of dying, everything starts
flashing back to me: did I do enough? What didn’t I do right? If I die
now, what is going to happen to my family and business?
“The pressure of the thought begin to increase upon you, as the days go
by. The psychological trauma is bigger than what you can imagine.”
OJB said while the trauma lasted, he did not give up the fight to
survive because he was “blessed during that passing phase of his life.”
Colleagues pay tributes
However, since the news of his demise broke, the music producer’s
colleagues and friends in the entertainment industry have been paying
glowing tributes to him.
K-Solo, a singer and music producer, was the first to pay tribute to the
deceased. According to him, “All glory be to God Almighty, who gave OJB
to us and has taken him. OJB will never be forgotten in my career.”
Also, Peter Okoye of P-Square fame, said: “Another day, another sad
news. You will surely be missed my brother, OJB Jezreel. God knows
best.”
COSON said: “We are heartbroken at COSON as we mourn the passing on this
morning of our front line member, the immensely-talented singer and
producer, OJB Jezreel who worked with 2Face to craft the monster hit,
“African Queen.” COSON condoles the family, friends and fans of this
music maker.”
Destiny Awanfo, alias Ocean P, said: “OJB is just like the god of the
street because he has been there for so many of us. He has written songs
for so many great artistes, and produced them. Even when you do not
have money for your production, OJB is not that kind of man that would
let you go back to where you are coming from.
“He must give you a reason to smile even when you are just coming up and
does not know what to sing about.”
OJB, however, would be remembered for his work with Oxygen, Paul Play,
Ruggedman, X-Appeal, Jazzman, 2face Idibia among others.
He produced pop icon 2face Idibia’s classic debut album ‘Grass to Grace’
and the seminal, industry-redefining 2001 rap single ‘Ehen Pt. 1.’
His Silverpoint Studios in Gbaja, a neighbourhood in Lagos Mainland, was
for many years a Mecca of sort, for those seeking an entry into the
Nigerian music industry.
OJB may not have recorded significant success in his career as a music
producer, but he had been the pillar behind the music of most successful
Nigerian artistes. Some of his solo hits include “Jah’s is my lite,”
“Searching,” “Beautiful as you are,” “Pretete” and “Shitta Anthem.”
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/legendary-ojb-jezreel-dies-3-years-kidney-transplant/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/legendary-ojb-jezreel-dies-3-years-kidney-transplant/
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