Juju legend Ahuja Bello is dead

Veteran Juju music maestro, Alhaji Ahuja Bello is dead.

The 70s music star passed on just 24 hours after celebrating his 83rd birthday.

The sad news was confirmed on Monday by his daughter, Bello Festus Aderemi, who wrote on Facebook: “Rest in peace my lovely dad, Alhaji Ahuja Bello. We love you but God loves you more.”

His band page, Ahuja Bello and His Golden Eagles Band, also broke the news in a heartfelt tribute: “Though you are gone, your light continues to shine in our hearts. RIP Ahuja Bello.”

Born Ismaila Dele Bello on August 24, 1942, in Iseyin, Oyo State, Ahuja Bello carved his name into Nigeria’s Juju music history in the 1970s and 1980s as a singer, guitarist, and band leader.

He started out as an electronic technician before surrendering to the call of music, founding Ahuja Bello and His Golden Eagles Band in 1976.

Until his death, Bello was celebrated as one of the pioneer voices that shaped the golden era of Juju music.