Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, has expressed his condolences to Julius Aremu Olusanya Ekemode, better known as Orlando Julius, and his family, friends, and fans, saying that his death has robbed the music industry of another trailblazing legend and the nation of another giant star.

Despite showing no signs of illness, Orlando died on Thursday night.

In a statement released in Lagos on Friday by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, the late Orlando Julius was described as an all-rounder in his field, noting that he made his mark as a singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and performer, in a statement released in Lagos on Friday by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Lagos

Despite a larger-than-life image, he remained a decent gentleman and a good family man. His passion for music was unparalleled, and hence he excelled in his chosen field.

By dint of hard work, he and others like him laid the foundation and helped to nurture Afrobeat to global prominence,” he said, adding: ”It was, therefore, most fitting that he lived long enough to witness the moment in which Nigerian music has taken the world by storm.”

Mohammed advised the late music legend's family to find comfort in their patriarch's good and extraordinary life and prayed for the soul's repose.