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Evangelist Sonny Okosuns
Popular musician, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, is dead. He was aged 61. The freedom fighter turned preacher died in Howard University Teaching Hospital, Washington D.C, United States of America last Saturday, at about 7:00p.m. Nigerian time.
Okosuns finally succumbed to death after a prolonged battle with cancer of the colon.
His younger brother, Charles, who was on hand yesterday to receive sympathizers in the deceased's Aguda Ogba home in Lagos, told Daily Sun that the Oziddi maestro passed on in the presence of his wife and children. He said that he was yet to receive words on when his corpse would be flown into the country.
When Daily Sun visited his residence, which also houses the House of Prayer Ministries, which the late Okosuns pastored, the mood was pensive.
The news came to me as a shock, but what can we do? Charles sermonized.We have no choice than to give glory to God almighty. Death is a debt which every man owes and we cannot redeem ourselves with money,he philosophized.
At the deceased's residence yesterday, the mood was expectedly solemn. Even though the church auditorium was empty, four members of the church who knew about the news of Okosuns death were around to sympathize with the family.
Many times rumours were rife in the media about his death, but he always rose to debunk such.
It was a jubilant congregation and fans that received him last month when he flew back into the country after a successful surgery. His return also coincided with the 9th anniversary of his church, which was celebrated with all pageantry.
In his last interview with Daily Sun, the renowned musician, who against all odds danced despite his frail frame, said he had bounced back and would live for another 70 years.
Born in Irrua in the Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Sonny Okosuns launched into stardom in the early 70's with his fiery Oziddi music, in an era when highlife music was at its peak of popularity. He first started with Help then Fire in Soweto. But his music, which took the country by storm, and which was acclaimed to be his best, was Papa's land.
He was a strong voice and advocated a popular ideological struggle in the fight against apartheid through his songs.
He was also a founding member and past president of Performing Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
In a telephone interview with Daily Sun, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, said Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, was very saddened by the death of the illustrious son of Esanland.
It is a very sad loss to the people of Edo State, Nigeria and the music industry, Osunbor said, adding that the state government will do everything to immortalise the late music maestro.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adeotkunbo Kayode, in his condolence message, commiserated with Nigerians on the death of the veteran music evangelist, describing him as a freedom fighter, lover of the downtrodden and a true religious leader.
The minister also condoled with the entire nation, but particularly with families of the 44 soldiers and two civilians who lost their lives in a fatal road mishap, which occurred last week.
Kayode's message, which was conveyed in a statement, also described the soldiers as heroes who fought to defend their fatherland , praying that God would avert such tragedies in the future.
Lamenting further, he noted that Okosuns' death came at a time when younger musicians were being celebrated in Owerri, Imo State at the Nigerian Music Awards.
report from www.sunnewsonline.com
TRIBUTE TO SONNY OKOSUN (R.I.P) http://zonegap.blogspot.com
http://myworld.ebay.com/timmynaija
Evangelist Sonny Okosuns
Popular musician, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, is dead. He was aged 61. The freedom fighter turned preacher died in Howard University Teaching Hospital, Washington D.C, United States of America last Saturday, at about 7:00p.m. Nigerian time.
Okosuns finally succumbed to death after a prolonged battle with cancer of the colon.
His younger brother, Charles, who was on hand yesterday to receive sympathizers in the deceased's Aguda Ogba home in Lagos, told Daily Sun that the Oziddi maestro passed on in the presence of his wife and children. He said that he was yet to receive words on when his corpse would be flown into the country.
When Daily Sun visited his residence, which also houses the House of Prayer Ministries, which the late Okosuns pastored, the mood was pensive.
The news came to me as a shock, but what can we do? Charles sermonized.We have no choice than to give glory to God almighty. Death is a debt which every man owes and we cannot redeem ourselves with money,he philosophized.
At the deceased's residence yesterday, the mood was expectedly solemn. Even though the church auditorium was empty, four members of the church who knew about the news of Okosuns death were around to sympathize with the family.
Many times rumours were rife in the media about his death, but he always rose to debunk such.
It was a jubilant congregation and fans that received him last month when he flew back into the country after a successful surgery. His return also coincided with the 9th anniversary of his church, which was celebrated with all pageantry.
In his last interview with Daily Sun, the renowned musician, who against all odds danced despite his frail frame, said he had bounced back and would live for another 70 years.
Born in Irrua in the Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Sonny Okosuns launched into stardom in the early 70's with his fiery Oziddi music, in an era when highlife music was at its peak of popularity. He first started with Help then Fire in Soweto. But his music, which took the country by storm, and which was acclaimed to be his best, was Papa's land.
He was a strong voice and advocated a popular ideological struggle in the fight against apartheid through his songs.
He was also a founding member and past president of Performing Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
In a telephone interview with Daily Sun, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, said Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, was very saddened by the death of the illustrious son of Esanland.
It is a very sad loss to the people of Edo State, Nigeria and the music industry, Osunbor said, adding that the state government will do everything to immortalise the late music maestro.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adeotkunbo Kayode, in his condolence message, commiserated with Nigerians on the death of the veteran music evangelist, describing him as a freedom fighter, lover of the downtrodden and a true religious leader.
The minister also condoled with the entire nation, but particularly with families of the 44 soldiers and two civilians who lost their lives in a fatal road mishap, which occurred last week.
Kayode's message, which was conveyed in a statement, also described the soldiers as heroes who fought to defend their fatherland , praying that God would avert such tragedies in the future.
Lamenting further, he noted that Okosuns' death came at a time when younger musicians were being celebrated in Owerri, Imo State at the Nigerian Music Awards.
report from www.sunnewsonline.com
