A former President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, Ifeoma Ulasi, was reported to have said in 2020 that 25 million Nigerians had kidney disease. Apparently, that figure cuts across different walks of life, and entertainers are not immune to it. Saturday Beats takes a look at entertainers who have battled kidney disease
DJ Jimmy Jatt
Many were taken by surprise when veteran disc jockey, Jimmy Jatt, recently revealed that he had had a kidney transplant in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, six months ago. This was because the turntable wizard had given no clues that he was having such a health challenge. In a video recorded at the Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, where the surgery took place, Jatt stated that he wanted to become a face for the survival of kidney disease. He said, “I want to be a face for the survival of kidney disease. I did not want to be a victim. I have been through it, and from now on, I will be very open to talking to people about it on any platform to let them know what it is like.”
The caption that accompanied the video read in part, “A very successful kidney transplant (exactly six months today) has further deepened my appreciation for life’s most important things and gratitude to God
“I cannot imagine pulling through this without my angels. My wife, my daughters; I love you beyond any words. And to my siblings, where do I begin to thank you? My friends for an amazing support system. To anyone battling kidney disease, this is not the end and to all donors and caregivers. Keep staying God sent.
“To fans and business partners, DJ Jimmy Jatt has never been cooler! Hop on, the ride continues.”
Indeed, it seems the veteran is back in business. His last post on Instagram, as of the time of filing this report, was a flyer announcing an event tagged, ‘Saturday Night Fever with DJ Jimmy Jatt’, set to hold today in Houston, United States of America. He added the caption, “This Saturday night Houston TX.”
Eedris Abdulkareem
Popular rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, cuts the picture of a ‘hard man’. This is because he is one who does not back down from a fight, and is never hesitant to express his opinions.
But indeed, there is no one that is above falling sick.
Some months ago, the rapper’s team announced that he had a kidney disease and had been undergoing dialysis in Lagos. A statement by his record label, La Kreem Entertainment, in July read in part, “On behalf of the Abdulkareem family and Lakreem Entertainment Inc., we sincerely ask for prayers and good wishes for Eedris as we face these challenging times.
“He will come out of this and blaze up the musical stage again in due course. His spirit emboldens us. We shall be updating you as we continue with this life-saving process.”
Many Nigerians were full of admiration and praise for his wife, Yetunde, when it became known that she had donated one of her kidneys to him.
The ‘Mr Lecturer’ rapper eventually had the surgery in August, and shortly, after, he took to social media to thank his wife, family and fans. Posting a picture of himself and his wife, he wrote, “Thank you, God. I am specifically giving thanks and praises to the Almighty God for my successful kidney transplant surgery over the weekend. May His holy name be glorified forever.
“Words cannot express my love, devotion and commitment to my adorable, loving, supportive and compassionate wife, Yetunde, with whom God Has made my life complete. Baby, I will always love, cherish and adore you forever.
“My awesome, lovely children, God has harkened to your fervent prayers. Daddy and mummy will be coming home hale and hearty soon.’’
Meanwhile, the entertainer took to his Instagram page on Thursday, September 22, to inform his fans and loved ones that he had left the hospital. Posting a picture of himself wearing a nose mask, he added the caption, “It’s good to be back home. To God be the glory.”
Dejo Tunfulu
Sadly, not every entertainer who had kidney disease survived to tell the story. A popular Yoruba actor, Adekunle Adetokunbo, aka Dejo Tunfulu, had for years put smiles on the faces of many with his comic roles in movies. But on April 1, 2022, the sun set for the funny man.
He was said to have battled kidney disease for a while before succumbing to the cold hands of death. The actor was said to have been rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital in Lagos around 4am on that fateful day. According to those who saw the actor in his last moments, they recalled that he looked emaciated and a shadow of himself.
In an interview with The PUNCH, a friend of the late actor stated that he had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. He said he was aware that the late actor nursed the disease for months.
“I don’t know if the family was aware, but he once confided in me that he went to get his drugs. I’m not sure if his children are aware but they should be,” he said.
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