OJB Jezreel: How music producer once escaped death

Three years ago OJB had kidney failure. Thankfully the gifted producer did not die thanks to Good Samaritans.

In July of 2013 veteran and legendary music producer and singer OJB Jezreel broke the news to Nigerians that his two kidneys had stopped working.

Speaking to Encomium Magazine, OJB Jezreel stated that he only had a few months to live if he could not raise the funds needed for a kidney transplant in India. The award winning producer needed N17m to undergo a successful transplant in India.

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“God willing, I have like eight to ten weeks more to get the transplant done. It’s strange, I still walk around a little. I can’t eat much though. I trust God and Nigerians for their financial support” said the famous producer. There was a lot of sympathy from Nigerians when they found out about OJB Jezreel's ailment.

More than a few good Nigerians donated to keep OJB alive but generally the public wondered why a lot of Nigerian artistes (especially those he worked with) weren't coming out to donate to keep him alive. After much outcry on social media Nigerian celebrities started donating.

 

Rapper Vector went to OJB's home and prayed for him. Super pop group P Square handed him five million Naira. Other celebrities who donated are Don Jazzy, Mr. Kool, Mercy Johnson, Dele Momodu, Ruggedman, Julius Agwu and DJ Jimmy Jatt amongst others.

Unfortunately during this period there were a lot of claims that some certain celebrities had donated towards OJB's surgery which turned out to be false. It was reported that pop star D'banj donated seven million Naira but that claim was refuted by OJB's camp. It was also said that Wizkid donated one million Naira, a claim which later turned out to be untrue.

ALSO READ: The life and times of OJB Jezreel

The most surprising out of the OJB donation hoopla was that 2face Idibia (who worked extensively with OJB on his first two albums) didn't donate for his former producer's surgery. A lot of people frowned at the great Nigerian singer for not helping out his ex-producer in his time of need. 2face's failure to be actively involved in OJB's surgery campaign still hovers around him like a dark cloud.

 

At the end of the day the then Governor of Delta state Rotimi Amaechi came to the rescue and donates $100,000 which was N16m back then.

In August 2013 OJB Jezreel travelled to India and had a kidney transplant. After coming back to the country OJB Jezreel tried to pick up from where he left.