Saint Janet: Veteran Juju Singer Complained of Chest Pain Before Death, Children Reveal

Veteran Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician Iyun Janet Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, complained of chest pain and breathing difficulties shortly before her death, her children have revealed.

The family made the disclosure while recounting the singer’s final hours in an interview with Alore TV published on YouTube on Tuesday. They said Saint Janet had appeared healthy during an overnight performance in Sango, Ogun State, the night before she died.

Her daughter, Omowunmi, said the musician performed throughout the event without showing signs of illness. The family returned home after the show and went to sleep, unaware that she would die the following day.

Omowunmi said Saint Janet later went to the market and returned home around 6pm. She began preparing food and appeared to be fine before she suddenly held her chest and complained that something felt wrong.

“She said she felt like something wanted to drop off her chest. Her breathing was no longer regular,” Omowunmi recalled. The singer then asked to be taken to hospital, where relatives said she was given oxygen shortly after arriving.

Her son, Orinayo, said medical personnel attended to Saint Janet immediately but later noticed that she had lost her pulse. Another daughter, Fola, said she was informed of her mother’s death after arriving at the hospital.

Saint Janet’s manager also said the singer had shown no obvious signs of illness during her final performance. He recalled that she sang well, interacted with the event organiser and later sat among the audience after completing her performance.

The family has since set up a committee to handle the burial arrangements. A nine-day prayer and thanksgiving programme has commenced, while the funeral is scheduled for August 25 and 26.

Saint Janet’s death was first announced on Sunday by publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies, who said the musician died after a brief illness. The veteran entertainer was known for her energetic live performances and distinctive Juju sound, earning a strong following among lovers of Juju and traditional Highlife music.