One of the most respected Nigerian musicians from the north of the country, Adamu Wayya, best known as Danmaraya Jos, is dead, his friend and close associate, Ladan Salihu, has announced.
He was 69.
“Inaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa ilaiHir raaji’un. One of Nigeria’s foremost Hausa musicians, poet, philosopher and philanthropist, Dr Adamu Danmaraya Jos has answered Allah’s call about an hour ago,” Mr. Salihu, the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), announced at about 4P.M Saturday on his Facebook page.
Mr. Salihu continued, “He died in Jos after a protracted illness. When I visited him two weeks ago, he spoke passionately about the Unity of the North and of one Nigeria. I remember when he insisted that my late father gave out the his (Danmaraya’s) adopted daughter’s hand in marriage some 15 years ago.
“We shared many moments. He was to me a brother and a friend. I am devastated. But I am proud he lived a very useful life, transforming society through music and silently through Islamic endeavours. May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaws. Amin. For the record he was a recipient of the National Honours of MON, OON and United Nations Peace Medal.”
DanMaraya is known for performing at key events across the country. His last known public performance was at the Peoples Democratic Party’s fund raising dinner in Abuja before the 2015 general election.
He performed brilliantly that Dec 20, 2014, and shook hands with then President Goodluck Jonathan and other dignitaries at the event after his performance.
His death has thrown a lot of his fans into deep mourning, with some taking to Facebook to mourn his departure.
Liz Asabe Ikilama, a lawyer, wrote, “A couple of days ago, I was telling Dami my son about him and his songs. I said to him ‘Dan Adam mai wuyan gane hali, ‘in anyi rana yace anyi, in anyi dare yace anyi dare’! I said when you are given hot potatoes and carrots,you’d say why is it too hot. If you are given the cold one, you’d complain too.
“I told him how philosophical Dan Marayan Jos Songs were! He asked if I have met him, do I know his house? I said when we were kids, he was staying around/off Bauchi road? I wasn’t too sure. But I told him that I met him when I was in Law school Lagos at 1004 housing estate in Uncle Ladan Salihu’s house.”