Apostle and Nation Builder
Death has a way of silencing our arguments and reminding us of our common humanity.
The passing of Mrs. Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, popularly known by her stage name Saint Janet and fondly called “Mama Yabis,” has once again confronted us with a truth that neither fame nor obscurity, wealth nor poverty, applause nor criticism can escape: every life is precious because every human being is created in the image and likeness of God.
Reports indicate that she died after a brief illness, although the specific cause of her death has not been made public. At moments like this, speculation gives way to sympathy, and judgment gives way to compassion.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, colleagues in the entertainment industry, her admirers, and all who mourn her passing. May the God of all comfort strengthen every grieving heart.
Saint Janet carved out a unique place in Nigeria’s entertainment landscape. Through her distinctive blend of Juju and Highlife music, sung predominantly in Yoruba, she built a devoted audience with a style characterised by satire, humour, “yabis,” and provocative lyrical expressions. While many found her performances entertaining and culturally expressive, others, myself included, often struggled with the moral direction and values reflected in much of that genre.
It is no secret that many of the values celebrated in parts of today’s entertainment culture stand in sharp contrast to the convictions of my Christian faith and my understanding of moral responsibility. Throughout my public life, I have consistently advocated for a culture that elevates virtue, responsibility, and the dignity of the human person.
Yet disagreement with a person’s values or artistic choices must never become an excuse to deny their humanity.
Our faith teaches that every person bears the image of God. Though that image may be obscured by sin and the brokenness of our world, it is never erased. Every human life, regardless of its journey, deserves dignity, compassion, and respect.
The death of Saint Janet should therefore move us beyond criticism to reflection. It should remind us that none of us stands by our own righteousness. We all depend upon the grace and mercy of God.
Her passing also challenges the living. It reminds parents of the values they must intentionally pass on to their children. It reminds entertainers that their influence extends beyond applause to shaping culture and character. It reminds public leaders that every decision contributes to the moral direction of society. Above all, it reminds each of us that life is a sacred trust to be lived with purpose and accountability before God.
As we mourn Saint Janet, let us also pray for those she has left behind. May kindness surround her family. May faithful friends uphold them. May healing replace sorrow in due season. And may the mercy of God locate every life touched by this painful loss.
For the living, the greatest tribute we can pay to the departed is not merely to celebrate their memory but to examine our own lives, embrace what is true and noble, and leave behind a legacy that points others towards hope, virtue, service, and God.
To the Ajilore family, the entertainment industry, and the countless Nigerians who appreciated Saint Janet’s talent, please receive my sincere condolences. May Almighty God comfort you in this difficult season.
May Mrs. Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore find rest in the perfect justice and infinite mercy of Almighty God. And may her passing remind us all that while life is fleeting, the values we live by and the legacy we leave behind will continue to speak long after we are gone.
