Celebrities weigh in for OJB Jezreel, donate almost N25m

D’Banj N7m, P-Square N5m, Wizkid N3m, Ini Edo N2m, 2face N1.5m, Don Jazzy N1m, Olamide N1m, Davido N1m, MI N1m, Iyanya N1m, Mercy Johnson N.5m, Julius Agwu N.5m

Succour seems to have finally come the way of Babatunde Okungbowa, who is widely known as OJB Jezreel and who produced one of the greatest songs to ever come out of Africa, 2face Idibia’s African Queen.

Last week, OJB went public with the information that he had severe renal problems. Unsurprisingly, the disclosure of his condition went viral in seconds, due to his fame and his invaluable contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s music industry.

He made it known that he needed the hefty sum of N15m to undergo a kidney transplant so he can stay alive. Some members of the public reacted to his financial need by mandating his colleagues in the entertainment industry to contribute the money he needs. And after much bashing by the public, the celebrities have indeed begun to donate what they can to aid him.

Don Jazzy was the first of them to avail OJB of N1m. Shortly after, it was reported that 2face Idibia, arguably the person who has benefitted the most from OJB’s musical ingenuity, had also donated N1.5m. They were followed by Mercy Johnson whose contribution was initially undisclosed but has now been revealed to be N500, 000.

On Thursday evening, P-Square and their brother-manager, Jude Okoye, upped the ante by presenting a N5m cheque to OJB. The Kukere master, Iyanya, gave N1m and Julius Agwu also gave N500, 000.
Others who have given are Ini Edo (N2m), Wizkid (N3m), and Davido, Olamide and MI (N1m each). The donations known thus far add up to N24.5m, more than is being sought.

Even as more and more celebrities are expected to chip in, Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim has stirred the hornet’s nest by taking to Instagram to question why $100,000 is being sought for OJB.
According to Ibrahim, who claims to be knowledgeable about kidney disease because she has a kidney foundation, a kidney transplant doesn’t cost more than $50,000, half of what OJB is requesting.

Ibrahim added that she has asked those in charge of OJB’s fundraising to contact her foundation and that OJB’s representatives just have to reach out to the right people for the necessary intervention instead of harassing celebrities who have their own responsibilities.

She didn’t spare the public either, telling them to stop harassing celebrities to aid OJB as they too can support him with whatever they have, even if it’s just N1, 000.