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Mohbad, Four Other Famous Nigerian Artistes Who Died At Early Age

Published

2 years ago

September 13, 2023

Editor

The death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as MohBad, on Tuesday, hit the internet.

PUNCH Online reports the former Marlian Record signee died at the age of 27.

Mohbad left the Marlian Record belonging to Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, in February 2022.

He released his debut album, “Light EP”, in the fourth quarter of 2020 as a follow-up to his viral song “Ponmo”, which featured Naira Marley and Lil Kesh.

He was best known for his hit singles Ponmo, Feel Good, and Ko Por Ke with Rexxie which was nominated three times for The Headies Awards 2022.

The management of late artiste released an official statement confirming his passing away.

The short statement posted on both his Instagram and X handles said: ”It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Promise Oladimeji Aloba PK/A Mohbad (Imole) today, the 12th of September, 2023.

“Mohbad was light until the very end, and as we mourn the loss of the brightness he carried, the family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. Imole is finally at Peace.”

Mohbad had collaborated with several artistes including Naira Marley, Davido, Zlatan, Oladips, Small Doctor, Lil Kesh, Bella Shmurda, Lil Frosh amongst others.

Several Nigerian artistes and celebrities have mourned the death of the late singer. Among them are Naira Marley, Zinoleesky, Olamide, Chike, Davido, SuperWozzy, Bukunmi Oluwasina, Ibrahim Shatta, Woli Arole, amongst many others.

An old video of Bella Shmurda saying Mohbad was battling mental health issues recently resurfaced online minutes after the reported death of the singer.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been released on the cause of his death as of the time of filling this report.

PUNCH Online complies list of four other Nigerian artistes who died at an early age.

1. DAGRIN

Oladapo Olaonipekun, popularly called Dagrin died on April 22, 201o.

Until his death, he was a promising and fast-rising Nigerian indigenous rapper.

He was reported to have rammed his newly acquired Nissan Maxima into a stationary truck at night in front of the Alakara Police Station in Mushin, Lagos State, on April 14, 2010, and was taken to two hospitals for treatment. Unfortunately, he died after eight days in a coma as a result of the car accident.

Dagrin, fondly known for his song “Pon Pon Pon” died at the age of 25.

His demise remains one of the most prominent tragedies in the Nigerian music industry.

Dagrin was in the spotlight before rappers like Ycee, CDQ, Ladipoe, Falz, Chinko Ekun, and others.

Nigerian rapper, Olamide, had severally referenced Dagrin in his songs.

Dagrin was born into the family of Mr and Mrs Olaniyi Abolaji Olaonipekun on October 25, 1984.

Some of his hit singles include Pon pon pon, Ghetto Dream, and Thank God, Kondo, among many others.

In 2010, he was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards for Best Album, Hottest Single “Pon Pon Pon”, Best Rap Act, and Best Collaboration with vocals.

He was also nominated as the Artiste of the Year and won the best rap album at the Hip Hop World Awards in 2010.

2. DABLIXX OSHA

Nigerian rapper and songwriter, Oniyide Azeez, popularly known as Dablixx Osha, also died at early age.

He was reported to complain about stomach ache on November 7, 2022, and he was later rushed to a hospital where he died.

The late rapper focused on Trap music and some of his hit songs include “No feelings”, “Eruku”, Dagrin came back”, “Dagrin Kamal” and many others.

He was born on August 27, 1995, in Lagos State, and died at the age of 27 on November 8, 2022.

He has collaborated with popular Nigerian artists, including Lil Frosh of DWM, Oladips, and Zlatan.

Before his death, he released various songs and two EPs titled “50” and “Moller.”

3. KEFEE

Obareki Don Momoh, popularly known as Kefee, was a Nigerian gospel singer.

The singer was reportedly said to have fallen into a coma while on a flight to Chicago, United States of America.

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing and she was rushed into the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Los Angeles.

She was born in Sapele, Delta State on February 5, 1980, and died February 12, 2014 at the age of 34.

She was awarded the International Young Ambassador for Peace Award in 2009. Kefee also won the 2010 Headies Awards for Best Collaboration with Timaya for “Kokoroko”.

Some of her songs include Kokoroko, Africa, Branama, Celebrate, Congratulations, and many more.

Against rumour that the artiste was six months pregnant before her death, an official release by Adeline Adelicious Adebayo, Kefee’s UK Manager, said: “On behalf of the family, it is with a sense of great sadness but grateful hearts that we announce the passing to glory due to lungs failure this morning of our God’s mouth piece, chorus leader, daughter, wife, sister, friend Kefee Branama Queen … May her beautiful, gentle and precious soul rest in perfect peace. AMEN!!!

“PS: In contrast to all earlier rumours and stories in circulation, I do state that Kefee wasn’t 6 months pregnant and neither did she have pre-eclampsia.”

Artistes such as Sasha P, Niyola, and many more mourned her demise

Music producer, K-Solo, in a post on June 13, 2014, said “My Girl KEFEE is Gone. She’s one artiste I produced Kokoroko for and she was so wonderful…”

4. GOLDIE

Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey popularly known as “Goldie” was born on 23 October 1981 and died February 14, 2013.

She was a Nigerian professional singer and a Big Brother Africa star.

She won several African music awards including a Top Naija Music Award. She also appeared on Big Brother Africa in 2012 which was her first TV appearance.

Her genre of music was R&B, pop, rap, electropop. Some of her songs include: Jawo jawo, Don’t touch, Who we are, Point and kill, Breathe again, amongst others

She was said to have complained of a severe headache shortly after returning to Nigeria from the US where she had attended the music industry’s Grammy Awards and was rushed to a hospital in Lagos, where she was pronounced dead.

News

Emir Of Gusau, Ibrahim Bello Is Dead

Published

23 minutes ago

July 25, 2025

Editor

Ibrahim Bello, the Emir of Gusau in Zamfara State, has died at the age of 71 after battling a long-term illness. He passed away on Friday in Abuja.

The news of his death was confirmed by Sulaiman Idris, spokesperson to Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.

In an official statement, Governor Lawal mourned the loss, describing the late Emir as a dependable monarch who worked tirelessly for the peace and progress of Zamfara.

“I received with deep sadness the news of the passing of our father, His Royal Highness, Dr. Ibrahim Bello, the Emir of Gusau… I have lost a confidant and a father whose wisdom guides me and other state leaders. May the Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah,” the governor said.

Appointed as the 16th Emir of Gusau in March 2015 following the death of his father, Bello spent over a decade on the throne, during which he played a significant role in the socio-cultural affairs of the state.

News

Expert Tasks NGOs On Int’l Standard Procurement Procedure

Published

15 hours ago

July 24, 2025

Editor

A procurement expert, Mr Ogunnupe Olushiga, has urged Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to fine-tune their policies and procurement activities to fit national and international standards.

Olushiga gave the advice at a two-day capacity building workshop for 15 NGOs on International Standard Practice on Procurement Processes.

The workshop was organised by Efficiency Management Consulting Firm in Bauchi and supported by Young Leaders Network, CARD, JO Ogun and Sons Enterprise.

Olushiga, the Convener and Lead Facilitator of the training, said the workshop was to help organisations mirror their activities in line with the Nigeria Procurement Act.

He noted the training would help organisations adjust their policies and procurement activities to fit global benchmarks.

He said it would also help procurement, administration, finance, compliance and programme officers align their procurement practices with national laws and global donor policies.

Olushiga added that it would equally build a fraud resistant-audit ready and value driven procurement system.

“The training is to increase the capacity of the not-for-profit sector partners or workers and all those organisations that work under the not-for-profit to bring them up to international standards in procurement practice.

“It is also to help them to mirror their activities with the Nigerian Procurement Act which is not mandatory for them but compels them to have their policies and procurement activities in tune with national policy and international standard.

“This standard fits into the World Bank and other donor agencies that come into partnership with them,” he said.

He pointed out that the new global, national, state laws and frameworks on procurement aligned with the need to safeguard the environment in rendering services by being eco-friendly and energy efficient in all procurement processes and services.

Patricia James, a Legal Procurement Consultant, listed some of the existing laws that guide organisations in procurement matters to include the Public Procurement Act, 2007, and the Bauchi State Public Procurement Law, 2020.

Others she said are the World Bank Procurement Regulations (2023), Transparency International (2021), Corruption Risks in Public Procurement, Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply CIPS (2020) and Ethical Procurement.

In his address, Malam Nura Mohammed, the Director-General, State Agency for Sustainable Microfinance, said the government would henceforth channel all its Micro-credit Revolving Fund facilities through Participating Financial Banks down to the grassroots.

He said this would ensure financial inclusion in underserved communities.

He said the agency was established by the state Governor, Bala Mohammed, to act as an intermediary between the government, financial institutions, and businesses towards providing access to credit, business development services, and policy support.

The director-general who said procurement was critical to the operations of every organisation, commended the facilitator for his commitment.

He urged the participants to practicalise the knowledge gained to ensure procurement credibility and integrity in their organisations.

News

Pick Up Corps Members Or Refund Their Transport Fee – NYSC urges Corps Employers

Published

15 hours ago

July 24, 2025

Editor

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on corps members’ employers to always complement the scheme by going to the camp and picking up corps members or refund their transport fee when they fail to do so.

The Director General of NYSC, Brig:-General Olakunle Nafiu made the call in Bauchi on Thursday during the
2025 NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop organised by the scheme in the state.

According to him, provision of comfortable accommodation for corps members by their employers or payment in lieu of accommodation would go a long way in compelling the corps members to provide adequate and effective service delivery.

Represented by Mrs Agatha Banki, Director, Northeast Area Office 1, Bauchi, the DG explained that the workshop is an annual event that brought operators of the NYSC Scheme and corps employers in a strategic meeting that presented them the avenue for exchange of ideas that enhance their operations.

“From addressing gray areas to enhancing healthy relationships between our various organisations, the workshops always produce ideas and recommendations that are factored into the operations of the Scheme.

“I am convinced that the 2025 workshop would not be any different,” said the DG

He further highlighted the roles of corps employers to include the provision of accommodation, payment of transportation allowance, Healthcare provision as is available to regular staff, and provision of a healthy working environment.

Nafiu added that at the end of the workshop, participants must recommend steps to help build a proactive and enduring partnership between the NYSC Scheme and corps employers.

“You must hammer out more effective formats of communication among our organisations and come up with implementable solutions to the numerous problems that challenge corps administration and proffer solutions.

“I call on you to make individual and collective contributions in shaping the nation-building efforts of the corps members,” he said.

Earlier, the Bauchi state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Umoren Kufre, said that the NYSC was dedicated to fostering mutual growth and development, adding that it is through meaningful partnerships with corps members employers that the scheme could truly maximise these endeavors.

“Strengthening our partnership is not merely a desirable goal but a necessity for fostering empowerment, innovation, and social responsibility.

“Throughout this workshop, we will engage in critical discussions, share experiences, and explore best practices that will help us strengthen our bonds and enhance the effectiveness of the NYSC in serving both corps members and the labour market”, he said.

The theme of this year’s workshop is ‘strengthening NYSC/Corps employers’ partnership for improved mutual benefit’.