REVEALED: How Saint Janet Went to Market, Cooked and Later Died in Hospital

By Kehinde Adeleye

Veteran Juju and Highlife musician Iyun Janet Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, had insisted on preparing her own meal on the day she died, despite later complaining of chest pain and experiencing difficulty breathing, her children have revealed.

The singer’s children disclosed this in an interview with Alore TV, following her death after a brief illness.

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

She returned home after the performance and went to the market the following day, returning at about 6pm.

Omowunmi said her mother subsequently insisted on cooking for herself before she noticed something was wrong.

“She was insisting on preparing her own meal. After she finished cooking, she checked around the house to see if there was anything else for her to do,” she said.

She later noticed the singer clutching her chest.

“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 added.

According to her, Saint Janet then asked to be taken to hospital.

Her uncle and 3 of her siblings reportedly rushed her to the hospital, where she was admitted and given oxygen within minutes of arrival.

Her son, Orinayo, said the singer was attended to immediately 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 only to discover 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.

The family said Saint Janet had shown no obvious signs of illness during her final performance in Sango.

Her manager, who had worked with her for several years, said she performed normally and remained among the audience after her performance.

“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 of her death and told him she was preparing soup and would call him back.

Her children described her as a caring mother who was deeply concerned about the welfare of people around her.

The family has since constituted a committee to oversee her burial arrangements, while a 9-day period of prayer and thanksgiving has commenced.

Her funeral is 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 her vibrant performances and energetic stage presence.