Renowned Juju music icon of the 1970s, Ahuja Bello, is dead.
His son, Adetunji Bello, confirmed the news in a statement on Sunday, disclosing that the legendary musician died in the early hours of the day, just a day after marking his 83rd birthday.
Born Ismaila Dele Bello on August 24, 1942, in Iseyin, Oyo State, Ahuja Bello carved out a name for himself as a celebrated Juju singer, guitarist, and band leader during the 1970s and 1980s.
Before venturing fully into music, Bello worked as an electronic technician. In 1976, however, he pursued his passion by founding Ahuja Bello and His Golden Eagles Band, a group that would go on to dominate the Juju music scene.
He was widely admired for his vibrant stage presence and evergreen hits such as Awa ti Danfo and Ariya ti de. In 1979, he traveled to London to record Ahuja in London, an experience that brought him into contact with global stars, including reggae legend Bob Marley.
Although his career was tragically disrupted by an accident on July 24, 1982, just weeks before his 40th birthday, his legacy remained intact, securing him a revered place in Nigeria’s rich musical history.
