By Correspondent in Lagos.
Late Orlando Julius, doing what he knew how to do best while alive.
Nigeria has lost one of its veteran and Iconic highlife musicians, Orlando Julius, a native of Ijebu Ijesha to the cold hands of death on Friday at 79 in Lagos.
He was popular all over the world for his ‘A dara, a dara’ song, among many other acclaimed songs.
The widow of the deceased, Latoya Aduke, disclosed the sad news through music promoter and Evergreen Music boss, Bimbo Esho.
Esho, in an early Friday Facebook post said, “Bimbo, Daddy Has Passed On…This was the message I stumbled on waking up at exactly 3a.m to peruse my WhatsApp page. It was a message sent in to me by Orlando Julius beautiful and supportive wife Lady Latoya.
“Orlando Julius, a native of Ijebu Ijesha, succumbed to the cold hands of death and breathed his last few hours ago at the age of 79.
“We shall miss one of Nigeria’s fathers of Afro/Highlife Music, a gentleman and a fine saxophonist.
“May daddy Orlando Julius’ soul journey well. To the entire Ekemode family, may God give you the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
Our Correspondent reports that age may have affected the late musician, slowing him, some years before he bowed to death, his rich songs in entertainment industry portrayed him as a great multi-talented musician.
This was what happened in 2021 when many stakeholders gathered in Ilesa, Osun State to celebrate his 60 years on stage.
Orlando Julius has been described by many as a veteran musician who interacted well with musicians of different countries and ages and, court even younger artistes,including Beautiful Nubia and Edaoto, whose shows he occasionally performed.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.