Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has called on music superstars Wizkid and Tiwa Savage to lend their voices to the ongoing campaign for justice over the death of fast-rising singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Speaking during a recent Instagram livestream, Ojo said the late singer was inspired by industry greats like Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, stressing that it would be unfair for leading artists to stay silent while their younger colleagues, who look up to them, suffer exploitation and harm.
“Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, I need you. These young boys, they come from the slums and ghettos just like most of you did, and they were inspired by you guys to become artists. And they have so much talent. Music is one of the talents that has put Nigeria on the map… These children are making us proud,” she said.
The actress emphasized the need for the industry to protect its younger generation of artists from the kind of challenges faced by music legends in the past.
“Nigeria is blessed with talents, and we cannot allow any cult or anyone pull them down. We cannot allow anybody pull those children down because their music is what’s giving us joy… We will not allow what Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and 2Baba went through in the hands of record label executives and the authorities to happen to new generational artists,” Ojo declared.
Mohbad, a former signee of Marlian Music, died under controversial circumstances in 2023. Although rapper and label boss Naira Marley has repeatedly denied any involvement in his death, public suspicion continues to trail him and his associate, Sam Larry.
A Lagos State court recently dismissed a suit filed by Mohbad’s father against Naira Marley and Sam Larry, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to directly connect them to the incident.
Two years on, the investigation into Mohbad’s death remains inconclusive.
