The family of late veteran Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Janet Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, has opened up about the heartbreaking events surrounding the singer’s final hours before her sudden death.

The revelation has continued to generate conversations, particularly because the veteran musician reportedly showed no obvious sign of illness during her final performance.

According to her daughter, Omowunmi, Saint Janet performed at a show in Sango, Ogun State, the previous night and was well enough to entertain the audience.

She returned home after the overnight performance, slept and resumed her normal activities the following day.

Omowunmi said her mother even went to the market to buy foodstuff and returned home around 6pm before deciding to prepare her own meal.

But while cooking, the situation suddenly changed.

She noticed Saint Janet holding her chest and struggling to breathe.

Omowunmi said her mother complained that she felt as if “something wanted to drop off” her chest, while her breathing became irregular.

She subsequently asked to be taken to the hospital.

Her uncle and siblings rushed her to the hospital, where she was reportedly attended to shortly after arrival and placed on oxygen.

Sadly, according to her son, Orinayo, medical personnel later discovered that she had lost her pulse.

Another daughter, Fola, said she arrived at the hospital only to receive the devastating news that her mother had died.

Saint Janet’s manager also recalled that nothing appeared unusual during the singer’s final performance.

He said she sang well at the Sango event, later sat among the audience, interacted with the organiser and showed no visible sign that she was seriously ill.

He added that Saint Janet even called him on the day of her death to tell him that she was preparing soup and would call him back.

The sudden turn of events has left her family, friends, colleagues and fans mourning a woman they described as energetic, caring and deeply concerned about the welfare of others.

Her daughter, Fola, remembered her as a mother who constantly made sure that people around her had something to eat.

While the exact medical cause of Saint Janet’s death has not been publicly established in the family's account, her reported symptoms of chest discomfort and difficulty breathing are symptoms that should never be taken lightly.

Medical experts warn that chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain spreading to the arms, back, neck or jaw, sweating, nausea, dizziness or unusual weakness can occur during a heart attack.

A heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest are not the same thing. A heart attack involves a blood-flow problem, while sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart's electrical system malfunctions and the heart suddenly stops pumping effectively. However, a heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest.

One major lesson from the tragedy is the danger of dismissing unusual chest symptoms as ordinary tiredness, stress, indigestion or something that will simply disappear.

If someone develops sudden or severe chest pain, especially when accompanied by difficulty breathing, dizziness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to other parts of the body, urgent medical attention is needed.

Most importantly, people should not wait until symptoms become unbearable before seeking help.

Saint Janet’s final hours have become a painful reminder that someone can appear perfectly well and still experience a serious medical emergency.

As the entertainment industry continues to mourn the veteran musician, her family's account carries a message beyond grief: when the body sends an unusual warning, listen to it and seek medical help quickly.

The family has commenced a nine-day prayer and thanksgiving programme, while Saint Janet's funeral has been scheduled for August 25 and 26.