Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed sorrow over the death of juju musician Yekini Ajao, also known as YK Ajao, saying he lost a close friend.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, the governor said he and others had prayed for the singer to recover.
“I lost a very close friend, Y.K. We prayed for him to survive but God ruled otherwise. I commiserate with his family and our circle of friends, notably Shina Peters and others. His memories remain. He was a music legend,” he said.
Mr Ajao was reported to have died after undergoing surgeries at a hospital in India.
Governor Adeleke also recalled that the musician performed at the inauguration of his late brother Isiaka Adeleke, the first executive governor of Osun State.
“When my late brother assumed office, he performed at the inauguration ceremony at our country home,” he said.
Born in Iseyin, Oyo State, Ajao started music at a young age. He later moved to Lagos in 1971, where he joined a band before forming his own group in 1973.
He gained attention with his album Makosa Series 1 and later released other works including ‘Makosa Series 2’, ‘Vigilante’, ‘Akoni Mamu Gege’ and ‘Oro NEPA’.
Ajao was known for developing a style that combined juju music with makossa influences.
Tributes have continued to come in following his death.
Singer Shina Peters described him as a brother.
“Still hard to believe. You weren’t just a friend, you were my brother. Your sound, your spirit, your presence will not be forgotten,” Peters said.
YK Ajao’s death marks the end of his career in music, with colleagues and fans continuing to remember his work.
