*How his Silverpoint Studios made many stars
By Benjamin Njoku, Kehinde Ajose & Iyabo Aina
THREE years after a kidney transplant operation in
India, popular Nigerian music producer, singer and
multi-instrumentalist, Babatunde Okungbowa, better
known as OJB Jezreel, died in the early hours of
yesterday in a Lagos hospital. He would have been
50 years old next month.
According to a family source, OJB’s kidney had
completely failed since last week and he was on
dialysis to overcome the relapse before he gave up
the ghost yesterday.
The late
music
producer’s
body was
deposited in a
morgue at the
General
Hospital,
Isolo, Lagos.
He is survived
by three
wives, Mabel,
June and
Korede, and
eight
children.
Last year, it
was rumoured that OJB, who featured in a Yoruba
movie after he returned from India, had suffered a
setback and was in hospital. But the embattled
song writer and producer refuted the rumour
through an SMS broadcast.
It would be recalled that the dreadlock-spotting
producer was flown to India for a kidney transplant
in 2013. The surgery was successful and he
returned to Nigeria with his wife, Mabel, who
donated the kidney.
A statement released online by a family source
reads: “It is with sadness in our hearts that we
report that Babatunde Okungbowa, known to the
world as OJB Jezreel, passed on early this morning,
Tuesday, June 14.
“His kidney transplant had failed completely since
last week. He was down with kidney-related
disease, and consequently was flown to India for a
transplant in 2013.”
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.”
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