THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Femi Otedola, a Nigerian business mogul, has volunteered to pay all the medical expenses of ailing veteran reggae musician, Majek Fashek, who is currently receiving treatment in London.
Uzoma Omenka, the singer’s manager confirmed this to Premium Times, a Nigerian online newspaper, on Wednesday.
Earlier in the year, the business tycoon had also footed the medical bills of Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles’ coach, and Sadiq Daba, a veteran Nigerian media personality.
Majek was flown to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, United Kingdom, when his health condition deteriorated.
There were rumours that Majek was dead, but Omenka debunked it in a short Instagram video.
Despite Otedola’s support, Majek still needs further support, according to his manager. “We really appreciate him for coming through and taking care of the hospital bills. It is a huge relief and we are grateful. We however still need more support from well-meaning Nigerians to take care of other expenses,” Omenka was quoted to have said.
In 2005, Majek went bankrupt having suffered drug addiction for a long period of time. But, after he admitted he needed help at the time, he was treated at a drug rehabilitation centre in Abuja.
Majek is one of Nigeria’s surviving reggae music legends. He attracted international attention in 1987, when he sang a self-penned song, titled ‘Send Down The Rain’, which became a global hit.
In the 1980s, Majek Fashek earned his recognition on a television (NTA Benin) show as a member of a band called Jastix of which late Ras Kimono and Amos McRoy Gregg were members. Evi Edna Ogholi also performed as an up-and-coming artiste with the group.
In 1988, Majek released an album titled “Prisoner of Conscience” which include the song “Send Down The Rain” which became the most popular song of the year, and Majek too, became Nigeria’s top reggae artiste.
In 1989, Majek Fashek won six PMAN (Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria) awards which included “Song of the Year”, “Album of the Year” and “Reggae Artiste of the Year”.
Also known as The Rainmaker, Majek has worked with various artistes worldwide, including Tracy Chapman, Jimmy Cliff, Michael Jackson, Snoop Dogg, and Beyoncé.
The reggae singer and guitarist, whose real name is Majekodunmi Fasheke, was born in Benin City on 6 February 1949 to a Yoruba father and an Edo mother.
Raphael Adenaike
