Veteran Nigerian singer Salawa Abeni, widely celebrated as the Queen of Waka, has reassured fans that she is alive and in good health following viral rumours of her death.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, the 62-year-old music icon sang briefly to lighten the mood and confidently declared that she was “hale and hearty.”
Abeni used the opportunity to thank her fans, family, and friends for their love and concern while urging them to ignore false reports circulating online.
“My family, friends, and fans home and abroad, thank you so much for your love and concern. I am alive, hale, and hearty. Please disregard all the rumours. Some blogs will do the unthinkable just to trend. It is rather shameful. The Queen is fine and doing very well. May God bless you all,” she said.
Salawa Abeni remains one of the most influential female musicians in Nigeria’s history. She began her career in the early 1970s and became the first Yoruba female artist to sell over one million copies of an album with her debut release, Late General Murtala Mohammed, in 1976.
Read Also: Chiwetalu Agu debunks death rumours, tells fans he is “alive”
Her unique fusion of traditional waka music with contemporary rhythms earned her a loyal following and opened doors for future generations of women in the Nigerian music scene.
Over the decades, she has released numerous hit albums and remains a beloved cultural icon, with her music often reflecting themes of resilience, morality, and social commentary.
Abeni’s experience highlights a troubling trend of false death reports involving Nigerian celebrities. In recent years, several prominent figures, including actors, musicians, and public personalities, have had to publicly debunk similar rumours spread by unverified blogs and social media accounts.
Read Also: Ebenezer Obey debunks death rumours, says he is alive and well
For now, Abeni appears unfazed by the incident and focused on staying connected with her supporters. Her reassuring message serves as a reminder of her enduring strength and the deep bond she shares with her audience.
With her health intact and her voice as strong as ever, Salawa Abeni remains a living legend, and, as her fans say, “the Queen is not going anywhere anytime soon.”
Read Also: Nigerian Film Corporation denies death rumours about Ali Nuhu
