Renowned Juju music icon of the 1970s, Ahuja Bello, has passed away at the age of 83. His son, Adetunji Bello, confirmed the news in a statement on Sunday, revealing that the legendary musician died in the early hours of the day, just a day after celebrating his birthday.
Born Ismaila Dele Bello on August 24, 1942, in Iseyin, Oyo State, Ahuja Bello rose to fame as a celebrated Juju singer, guitarist, and band leader during the 1970s and 1980s. Before fully venturing into music, he worked as an electronic technician, but in 1976 he followed his passion by founding Ahuja Bello and His Golden Eagles Band, which went on to dominate the Juju music scene.
He gained widespread admiration 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, where he also came 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, Ahuja Bello’s legacy remained indelible, securing him a revered place in Nigeria’s rich musical history.
