
Mrs. Zainab Olagunju, the widow of the late veteran musician Fatai Rolling Dollar, who passed away on February 11 at the age of 59 and was laid to rest on February 18 in Ile-Ife, Osun State died in penury,Pt can reveal.
Her first son, Jamiu, has revealed in an interview with a national dailies (name withheld) that his mother’s difficult life ultimately contributed to her untimely death.
Jamiu, an undergraduate student of Performing Arts at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, lamented the struggles his mother, and his siblings endured for nearly 12 years following the death of their father, the legendary musician.
He disclosed that his mother had been battling hypertension since 2022. Although she managed the condition, financial constraints severely impacted her ability to access proper medical care.
He recalled how she was forced to sell some of their belongings to afford treatment, but despite her efforts, she ultimately succumbed to the illness.
Reflecting on his late mother, Jamiu said, “I remember my mother for everything. She called me every day to remind me of who I am and why I should always behave well. I love playing football, but my mum encouraged me to develop my musical talent and follow in my father’s footsteps.”
Expressing his deep sorrow, he added, “I will miss her cooking, her company, her voice, and her face. She was incredibly kind and prayerful, always hoping for a better future for me and my younger brother, Mojeed, who is currently in SS2.”
Jamiu also highlighted the sacrifices his mother made to ensure their survival, revealing that she took up a job as a sweeper with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) despite being the wife of a renowned musician. “This was a situation that would likely have been different if my father were still alive,” he lamented.