A UK-based Nigerian disc jockey, Olaniyi Oladigbo, popularly known as DJ Ola has died by suicide after battling depression.
His wife confirmed the death to a family friend named Philip Oyewale who announced Ola’s death in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
According to Oyawale, Ola had been battling depression and insomnia and had on several occasions threatened to kill himself.
In a lengthy post on Facebook, Mr. Oyewale narrated how he became friends with the deceased who celebrated his son’s ninth birthday in August.
He wrote: “I was in a prayer program yesterday, when the wife of D J Ola, called. I declined the call and she sent me one of the most distressing texts ever; ‘ I just lost my husband’. I quickly went out to verify the rude joke. With tears, she explained the circumstances that led to his death. I will be addressing three issues in this write-up. The man called D J Ola, the cause of his death and lessons for all.
“The man DJ Ola( Olaniyi Oladigbo) I met D J Ola about 19 years ago. He was always full of life. Before he started his D-J business, I knew him to be a workaholic. From Peke to support work.
“Niyi was married to his beloved wife, Hellen. I can categorically tell you, that he loved his wife and children too bit. He was a responsible father. He will do anything to protect and provide for his family. He adored his wife. He hated it when you report him to his wife. He loved her and we that were close to them know it. Let me move to the next point, the cause of his death.
“The cause of his death: Contrary to what has been circulating on social media, Niyi has always been dealing with depression and insomnia.
“He had on several occasions threatened to kill himself. Any little thing, he would say, ‘I will just kill myself’. I remember telling him one day in my office with his wife present, that he needed mental health assessment.
“I instructed the wife to encourage him to see the doctor. Since his demise yesterday, I gathered he had attempted to kill himself a few times without success. He sent messages to a few people the night before, telling them he was depressed. He sent a message to his wife and children also, telling them he loved them but really depressed.
“Personally, I noticed during the son’s tenth birthday thanksgiving in the church on the 28th August 2022, that he was not himself. Niyi will always make a scene with his dancing. That day he was too quiet. And I was thinking, this man eventually is growing. I narrowly missed the hint that could possibly have averted the ugly incident of yesterday.”
