by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Nigerians on Tuesday mourned legendary singer Majek Fashek who died in New York at the age of 57 -- marking the end of an illustrious career over a span of three decades.

The guitarist and song composer, whose real name was Majekodunmi Fasheke, died in his sleep, said his manager Omenka Uzoma.

"He's done a lot for Nigeria and Africa. This is a time for us all to celebrate his achievements, and not mourn," said Uzoma.

Millions of his fans have paid tribute to the music talent on social media. "Legends don't die. They live in our hearts forever," said Oluwatosin Nwodo, a reggae enthusiast who described herself as one of Fashek's hardcore fans.

"Majek Fashek was a quintessential legend whose works will live forever ... For he was a soldier and tool for change that reggae musicians are, symbolically," Nwodo further wrote in a short tribute on Facebook.

Fashek shot to stardom in the 1980s. His musical style resembled Bob Marley, one of the pioneers of reggae music, who had a great influence on Fashek.

Through his inspirational reggae music, "Majek Fashek was a rare gift to mankind," said Felix Duke, president of Nigeria's Creative Industry Group.

"His music was always positive, his lyrics unique; a rare breed. Majek Fashek inspired his generation and a lot of us, even the new generation, through his music," said Duke.

Local media reported that the cause of his death is not clear for now, but he had been ill for some time.

In December 2005, while preparing for a music tour, Fashek said his own death would only occur after his music reached every part of the world.

"I'm not gonna die until my music reaches the ends of the earth," the African singer told his close associate and former record label owner Charles Novia in a private chat released on Tuesday.

In 2015, there was a hiatus in his career when he landed in a drug rehabilitation center in Nigeria's capital city Abuja, where he recovered and then returned to music.

"I will always remember Majek Fashek for writing Free Africa, Free Mandela, a song he made to lend a voice for the release of Nelson Mandela, then a leader of the African National Congress in South Africa," said Sammy Wonder, a Nigerian music instructor.