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, a zonal director at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, announced at about 4 p.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 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 endeavors.
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 Dec 20, 2014, after which he shook hands with then President Goodluck Jonathan and other dignitaries at the event.
-Premium Times
