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

The family said the veteran musician had shown no obvious sign of illness before the incident and had performed at a show in Sango, Ogun State, the previous night.

Her children disclosed the details in a recent interview with Alore TV, explaining that Saint Janet developed the symptoms after returning from the market the following day.

Saint Janet complained of chest pain

According to her daughter, Omowunmi, the singer returned home from the market at about 6pm and insisted on preparing her own meal.

She said she later noticed her mother clutching her chest after finishing the cooking.

Omowunmi said Saint Janet complained that she felt as though something wanted to drop from her chest, while her breathing became irregular.

She said the singer subsequently requested to be taken to the hospital.

Singer rushed to hospital

Omowunmi said her uncle and three of her siblings took Saint Janet to the hospital after her condition worsened.

According to her, the singer was admitted and given oxygen shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Her son, Orinayo, said medical personnel attended to her immediately but later discovered that she had lost her pulse.

He said the family was informed that she had been experiencing difficulty breathing before she was taken to the hospital.

Family recounts singer’s final moments

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

She said Saint Janet had not been sick before the incident and had gone to the market to buy foodstuff before returning home to prepare a meal.

Fola described her mother as a caring woman who was always concerned about the welfare of people around her.

Manager recalls Saint Janet’s final performance

Saint Janet’s manager, who worked with her for several years, said the singer showed no sign of illness during her final performance.

He said she performed at the Sango show and afterwards returned to sit among the audience, where she interacted with the organiser.

According to him, Saint Janet sang well and displayed no indication that she was unwell.

The manager also said the singer called him on the day of her death and told him she was preparing soup and would call him back.

The family has since commenced arrangements for her burial, with a nine-day period of prayer and thanksgiving already underway. Her funeral has been scheduled for August 25 and 26.

Saint Janet’s death was earlier announced after what was initially described as a brief illness, although no specific medical cause of death has been publicly established in the reports reviewed.