St. Janet Sang Through Pain in Final Performance, Says Fellow Juju Star
St. Janet Sang Through Pain in Final Performance, Says Fellow Juju Star
Kunle Awosiyan
Veteran Juju musician St. Janet remained committed to entertaining her fans despite obvious signs of ill health during what turned out to be her final performance, fellow Juju artiste Ojuola Tunbosun, popularly known as Ola Victory, has revealed.
Speaking exclusively to EchoNews, another juju star, Ola Victory, recounted the late singer’s last public appearance at PNK Inn, 5th Avenue, Abesan Estate, where both artistes performed on Friday night, just hours before St. Janet died on Saturday after a brief illness.
According to him, the programme began around 8 p.m., with him performing first before handing over the stage to St. Janet at about 10 p.m. She entertained guests until about 1 a.m., unaware that it would be her final performance.
Ola Victory disclosed that the late singer showed visible signs of physical weakness during the event, noting that she occasionally sat down while performing and walked with a slight limp.
“From what I understood, she had been sick for some time, and I believe it was only her second performance since she became ill,” he said.
He added that after completing her performance, St. Janet briefly stepped outside and returned wearing a sweater, apparently feeling cold, but refused to complain and continued entertaining the audience.
Despite her condition, Ola Victory said the singer maintained her trademark connection with fans, smiling, interacting freely with guests and ensuring they enjoyed the show.
He also observed a noticeable shift in her performance, revealing that she rendered more praise and worship songs than her usual freestyle Juju repertoire.
“She still connected with the audience. If you didn’t know she had been unwell, you probably wouldn’t have guessed from the way she performed,” he said.
Reflecting on her personality off the stage, the musician described St. Janet as cheerful, humble and approachable.
“She laughed easily, related freely with people and never made anyone feel unimportant. She was loved by many of us and will be greatly missed,” he added.
Reacting to speculations surrounding her death, Ola Victory dismissed claims of any spiritual mystery, saying she appeared to have been battling health and personal challenges for some time.
He, however, stressed that he could not verify reports linking her to financial losses or personal difficulties and would not present such claims as facts.
Saint Janet with Ola Victory
“What I know is that she wasn’t as physically strong as before, yet she honoured her engagement and gave everything she had to the audience until the very end,” he said.
Describing her final outing as a testament to professionalism, Ola Victory said her dedication to her craft would remain his lasting memory.
“Nobody at that venue believed we were witnessing her final performance. We laughed together, exchanged microphones and left expecting to meet again,” he recalled.
He urged musicians and entertainers to prioritise their health above fame, advising them to rest adequately, undergo regular medical check-ups and pay attention to warning signs from their bodies.
“No matter how busy you are, create time to rest and take care of yourself. Your health, your family and your peace of mind should always matter,” he said.
