Iyanda Sawaba, ace Fuji musician, dies at 71

Iyanda Sawaba, the Nigerian Fuji maestro better known as Easy Sawaba, has passed away at the age of 71.

The iconic singer died in the early hours of Wednesday at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo state, where he was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.

Saheed Osupa, the actor and fellow Fuji musician, confirmed his death in a tribute via his Instagram page.

In the post, Osupa said Sawaba’s demise came to him as a shock.

Osupa also described his death as an irreparable loss to Fuji music.

“The news of your death came to me as a shock, it is an irreparable loss to Fuji music, however, no one can stop anyone’s journey to the great beyond when time ripens. RIP Alhaji Iyanda Sawaba Ewenla!” he wrote.

Sawaba had an impressive stint in the Fuji music industry in the 1970s and 1980s — a period when he thrilled his fans with some of his hit projects.

He was signed to the Keji Okunowo-led defunct Sony Music in 1992. With the record label, he released ‘Message,’ an album produced by Laolu Akins.

The singer had over 22 albums during his illustrious career including ‘Suru’, ‘Igbo Odaju’, ‘Pata Olokun’, ‘Ayetoto’ and ‘Oroseniwo’.

His last album titled ‘Correction’ was released in 2018.