Omowunmi, the wife of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, left many teary-eyed during the 17th Headies Awards.
The event, held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, featured a heartfelt tribute to the late singer. In a video shared by Chioma Good Hair on Snapchat, Omowunmi was seen shedding tears as her husband’s song played during the tribute. Sitting alongside Priscilla Ojo and Chioma, Omowunmi struggled to contain her emotions, with Priscilla comforting her during the moment.
In her caption, Chioma Good Hair expressed sympathy for Omowunmi, highlighting the challenges she has faced in mourning her late husband:
“Bless you, my love. May Nigeria never happen to us. She hasn’t been able to mourn her husband Mohbad in peace since he died. And this is the first time he’s being honoured by an organisation, must be so emotional.”
The late Mohbad received posthumous recognition at the awards, winning Best Street Music (Street Hop Artiste) of the Year and the Viewer’s Choice Award for his song Egwu, featuring Chike.
During her acceptance speech, Omowunmi shared her gratitude to the organizers for celebrating Mohbad’s memory and legacy. She stated:
“I don’t refer to him as my late husband because he lives forever, especially through our son, Liam. This honour means so much to us.”
Mohbad tragically passed away on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27 under unclear circumstances. Since his death, Omowunmi has faced numerous challenges, including disputes over her husband’s property and threats from certain individuals.
Earlier this year, she revealed the difficulties of coping with her loss, including questioning God over her husband’s untimely death. She also spoke about tensions with Mohbad’s father, who had publicly called for a DNA test to confirm the paternity of their son, Liam.
The issue of the DNA test became public in April last year when a Chief Magistrate Court in Ikorodu granted an order to serve Omowunmi with a notice of the pending application. Despite legal and social pressures, she has remained focused on preserving her late husband’s legacy.
