Saint Janet died after sudden chest pain, breathing difficulty — Children

The children of veteran Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Janet Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, have revealed that the singer died after suddenly experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing.

The family disclosed this in a recent interview with Alore TV, published on YouTube on Tuesday.

According to her daughter, Omowunmi, Saint Janet had performed at a show in Sango, Ogun State, the night before her death and showed no signs of illness.

“She performed the previous night. People even celebrated her with applause. We did not suspect anything. After the show, we came home and slept. The show was overnight,” she said.

Omowunmi said the singer went to the market the following day and returned home around 6 p.m., after which she insisted on preparing her own meal.

She said she later noticed her mother clutching her chest and experiencing irregular breathing.

“After she finished cooking, she checked around the house to see if there was anything else for her to do. I later noticed she was holding her chest. She said she felt like something wanted to drop off her chest. Her breathing was no longer regular,” Omowunmi said.

The daughter said Saint Janet subsequently requested to be taken to the hospital.

She said her brother and three other siblings took the singer to the hospital, where she was admitted and placed on oxygen shortly after arrival.

Her son, Orinayo, said the singer received immediate medical attention but later lost her pulse.

“I was told that she was having difficulty in breathing. We took her to the hospital, and she was being attended to immediately. It was when they were looking for pulse that she gave up,” he said.

Another daughter, Fola, said she arrived at the hospital after being informed that her mother had died.

“She complained of chest pain. It is my sister that can explain better. She was not sick. They said she went to the market to buy foodstuff. I also saw the soup she was preparing. They came to call me that she was dead,” she said.

Fola described Saint Janet as a caring mother who was deeply concerned about the welfare of people around her.

“She was a good mother. She always ensured that people around her eat,” she said.

The singer’s manager, who worked with her for several years, also said she showed no sign of illness during her final performance.

He said Saint Janet performed at a show in Sango and remained among the audience after her performance, where she interacted with the organiser.

“We went for a show at Sango. After performing, she went back to sit among the audience, and she spoke with the organiser. She sang well and did not show any sign of sickness,” he said.

The manager added that Saint Janet called him on the day she died and told him she was preparing soup before promising to call him back.

The family has constituted a committee to oversee her burial arrangements.

A nine-day period of prayers and thanksgiving has also commenced, while the funeral has been scheduled for August 25 and 26.

Saint Janet’s death was announced on Sunday by publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies, who described her as a popular Juju and Highlife musician known for energetic performances and distinctive stage presence.

The veteran singer was widely celebrated within Nigeria’s Juju music community and had built a loyal following through her vibrant live performances and socially themed songs.