St Janet died after chest pain, children recall

Veteran Juju and Highlife musician Iyun Janet Ajilore, popularly known as St Janet, complained of chest pain and breathing difficulties before she was taken to hospital, where she later died, her children have said.

Her daughter, Omowunmi, disclosed this in an interview with Alore TV, uploaded on YouTube on Tuesday, recalling that the singer had shown no signs of illness during a performance in Sango, Ogun State, the previous night.

According to Omowunmi, St Janet returned home after the overnight show and went to the market the following day. She arrived home around 6pm and insisted on preparing her own meal.

After cooking, Omowunmi noticed her mother clutching her chest and breathing irregularly.

“She said she felt like something wanted to drop off her chest. Her breathing was no longer regular,” she said.

Omowunmi said St Janet subsequently asked to be taken to hospital, with her brother and three other siblings taking her there.

She said the singer was admitted and given oxygen shortly after arriving.

Her son, Orinayo, said he was informed that his mother was experiencing breathing difficulties and that she received immediate medical attention.

He added that she later lost her pulse while medical personnel were attending to her.

Another daughter, Fola, said she arrived at the hospital only to be informed that her mother had died.

Describing St Janet as a caring mother, Fola said the singer was particularly concerned about the welfare of people around her.

St Janet’s manager, who had worked with her for several years, also said she had shown no signs of illness during her final performance.

He said the singer performed at the Sango event and later sat among the audience, where she interacted with the organiser.

“She sang well and did not show any sign of sickness,” he said.

The manager added that St Janet called him on the day of her death to say she was preparing soup and would call him back.

The family has constituted a committee to oversee her burial arrangements. A nine-day prayer and thanksgiving programme has also commenced, while her funeral is scheduled for August 25 and 26.

St Janet’s death was announced on Sunday by publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies in a Facebook post.

The veteran singer was known for her energetic live performances and distinctive style, which earned her a strong following within Nigeria’s Juju music scene and beyond.