Famous Nigerian Musician, Dan Maraya Jos, Dies at 69
One of the frontline Hausa musical icons, Dan Maraya Jos, is dead. He was aged 69. His demise was announced by his close friend and associate, Mallam Ladan Salihu, a zonal director at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria at about 4 pm yesterday.
Dan Maraya Jos, whose name means ‘The Little Orphan of Jos’, according to his friend, died at Bukuru in Jos South local government area of Plateau State. He was a respected poet, griot, philosopher, and philanthropist.
Salihu said, “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 should give 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 endeavours. May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaws, Amin.”
“Dan Maraya was a recipient of the National Honours of MON, OON and United Nations Peace Medal”, Salihu added.
According to Salihu, the musician’s last known public performance was at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s fund raising dinner in Abuja before the 2015 general election, “where he performed brilliantly and earned handshakes of the then President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and other dignitaries at the event after his performance. His death has thrown a number of his fans into deep mourning.