The heavens started shedding tears before the lying in state of Evang. Francis Sonny Okosuns, (OON) who died in  United States of America (USA) in May 25, 2008 at the weekend at the Basket ball hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State and at exactly 3:17 pm Friday, the remains of the Ozzidi King was finally laid to rest at his residence on Yaya Abaton Street, Ogba, Lagos.

The Ebony hearse arrives his home at Ogba, Lagos

The coffins with bearers

The congregation defied the down pour and paid homage to a man that left an almost perfect mark in the sands of time as a singer, activist, freedom fighter, entertainer and evangelist.  It was all tears as the remains was brought in at the National Stadium on an Ebony white Jeep with registration number Ebony 1.

This followed after more than three hours of church services held at the National Stadium, basketball hall and his House of Prayer Church located at Ogba in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.  In his speech at the church ceremony, Rtd Anglican Bishop Isaac described him as a God fearing man who used his God given music to deliver the message of God.

He extolled him for his hard work and perseverance and urged Nigerians of all classes to remember the last days.

In her own remarks, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, a popular musician described the nonchalant attitude of both the federal and state government for not playing a role in Okosuns burial, as unexpected.

As a Federal recipient of the National award conferred on him, Onwenu said, the government did not value the man’s contribution in the music and culture in put he did for the country especially fighting apartheid through his music.

The PMAN President, Mr Omatshola Iseli (Tee-Mac) said that Okosuns’s life on earth would be immortalised by the association.

He further said that, a musical foundation would be set up in his name, so that the younger generation would emulate what the late musician did on earth.

He described the Ozzidi King as a great man and a freedom fighter and a good ambassador to Nigeria and the entire Africa.

The family with officiating priest at the graveside

Okosun's widow performs 'dust to dust' act

In her tribute, Mrs Florence Okosuns, the widow of the late musician, said Sonny is ``my best friend who happens to be my husband”.

Part of her tribute read; "Two third of my life has been with you and being married to you Sonny, my Odomen, the husband of my youth has been nothing but bliss. Who would have believed that 31 seconds has rolled into 31 years with you,”

She remembered their good old days when they suffered and smiled, I remain grateful to God.

After the lying in state, the convoy left the premises of the National Stadium for his residence at Ogba where the final funeral rites were performed by Bishop George Amu who gave the a soul touching sermon which he titled, The Mysteries of Life and admonished the people to put their house in order just as the deceased did.

After singing the hymns, How Great Thou Art and Great Is Thy Faithfulness, the priest led the family to the graveside where the remains were committed to mother earth inside his studio.

For a musician who inspired a generation of artistes in the country, it was observed that there was a great absence of musicians at the burial, a development that the PMAN president blamed on the organizers.

“I would say it may be the fault of the organizing committee because the information was not passed around enough. I was just reminded by Bishop Amu that the wake keeping was yesterday and if I being the PMAN president am been told about this at that hour, imagine if the other artistes were aware,” he said.

But some of the musicians that were present condemned the behaviour of the artistes that were absent to pay their last respect describing it as ingratitude.

"If they were told that they would be paid to be at the burial, you would have witnessed them in their thousands. It is really unfortunate," King Wadada, a Reggae artiste said.

Righteous man said he was not impressed with the turn out of musicians at the burial as expectations were right to see some top class artistes to be around to show their respect for an icon.

“What I saw today I am not impressed with music artiste because I was expecting to see people like Tuface, Eedris Abdukareem, D’Banj, P-Square and the lots to be present here to pay respect to a great musician like Sonny Okusuns because he was their mentor. If somebody like Sonny Okusuns is being celebrated this way without musicians then it is very sad,” he lamented.

For Stella Monye, it was expected but she said she was not surprised as what happened was a reflection of the state of the industry.

“It is very surprising but I am not surprised; the industry needs to be put together very well. This is reflective of how the industry is right now. Imagine if an artiste like Michael Jackson dies; every American singer will be there but here we are not paying respect to our own Michael Jackson.”

She regretted that for a man that has a plaque with the names of every Nigerian musician; young and old, established and upcoming, it was really an unfortunate way for the artistes to say goodbye to a great mentor.

Among the personalities that was there are Ms Onyeka Owenu, Musician, Kanyo O. Kanyo, actor, Oritis Williki, musician, Mumu Gee, Musician, Segun Arinze, Stella Monye, Righteous Man, King Wadada, Azzezat, Bolaji Rosiji among many members of his church.

He was born on January 1 1947, and died May 25, 2008, of Colon Cancer in Howard University Teaching Hospital in the US.

He had a very successful career both as a secular and gospel musicians which produced 29 albums most of which were hits.

What the artistes said.

Bolaji Rosiji.

Even though he is dead, we are celebrating him; we celebrate his great achievement, his help to humanity; to the motherless and also using his songs to fight Apartheid in South Africa. I think that today is one of those historic moments that we will cherish in years to come.

Tee Mac

Sonny has been my friend since 1970 when we met where we were performing at Broadstreet. WE played at international festivals and we share so many things in common; he is a close friend and we are both founders of PMAN and my advice to the upcoming artistes is to take a cue from Sonny Okusuns and know that a musician has to spend a whole lot of time to build his career.

Righteousman.

We will celebrate him. What I learnt from him is that if you don’t have content, people will not celebrate you and the people that will not celebrate you are those people that do not have content.

Stella Monye.

I will remember him for so many things; his music, his selfless attitude and his being a father to so many people.

Orits Wiliki.

I am here because Sonny is my colleague and inspired a lot of us and many of artistes from this generation. He is somebody I believe has contributed hugely to the industry in terms of repertoire; his professionalism in song writing is something that cannot be equalled by a lot of up coming musicians.

Robot  # 1 | 20.07.2008 02:56

The heavens started shedding tears before the lying in state of Evang. Francis Sonny Okosuns, (O...Read the full article.

Dewdrops  # 2 | 20.07.2008 04:21

=Robot;4295072563>The heavens started shedding tears before the lying in state of Evang. Francis Sonny Okosuns, (O...Read the full article. Adieu Ozziddi King. As you tried to sing to us, WE WILL TRY TO: GIVE PEACE A CHANCE! If I ever wanted a job in Nigeria is to be an "Ebony Dancer"! I love the way those people bury our loved ones in style. Especially with those girls and their short dresses and those guys with thier "acrobatic" hips hopping away with the "departed" on their shoulders, through the streets and to the final resting places. What a spectacular show. One of the things I love to see in Nigeria. Those people can really sing and dance. I always love to watch them. Oh well. . . . May his soul rest in peace. For Stella Monye, it was expected but she said she was not surprised as what happened was a reflection of the state of the industry. “It is very surprising but I am not surprised; the industry needs to be put together very well. This is reflective of how the industry is right now. Imagine if an artiste like Michael Jackson dies; every American singer will be there but here we are not paying respect to our own Michael Jackson.” She regretted that for a man that has a plaque with the names of every Nigerian musician; young and old, established and upcoming, it was really an unfortunate way for the artistes to say goodbye to a great mentor. Among the personalities that was there are Ms Onyeka Owenu, Musician, Kanyo O. Kanyo, actor, Oritis Williki, musician, **** Gee, Musician, Segun Arinze, Stella Monye, Righteous Man, King Wadada, Azzezat, Bolaji Rosiji among many members of his church. Surprised the way artistes say goodbye to their mentors? That is Nigeria for you. Nothing has meaning or value. Including human life!

Dr Damages  # 3 | 20.07.2008 04:41

I am satisfied with those who came. And I think Sunny would be, wherever he is. The really question is where were they when Sunny was crying for help? Anyway, I know some of the musicians you were expecting are driving cabs in New York and selling Underground train ticket in London and hawking phone charger in Dubia and cutting hair in South Africa. I even understand that one is in Iraq. The rest are too stoned to step out in the rain. Give me Oritis Williki and I will give you the world.

bobokite  # 4 | 20.07.2008 10:28

=Dr Damages;4295072581> Anyway, I know some of the musicians you were expecting are driving cabs in New York and selling Underground train ticket in London and hawking phone charger in Dubia and cutting hair in South Africa. I even understand that one is in Iraq. QUOTE> Are you saying Nigerian musicians are doing this?

Profegee  # 5 | 20.07.2008 22:15

Life will never cease to tell story of human behaviour. I remember vividly the lament of Sunny Okosuns at the Murtal International Airport on his final medical trip to the USA. He said all the politicians he played for at one occasion or the other especially during their campaign had all abandoned him at such a time he needed them most. Surprisingly, they all showed up to say the man deserved a state burial, but never a state mediacal treatment. Okosuns rest in peace.

Zanderlex  # 6 | 20.07.2008 23:23

Adieu Sonny. Glory be to God.

Amy  # 7 | 20.07.2008 23:33

The host of heaven probably stood in honor of a man that fought the good fight of faith the moment he departed this sinful world and that is all that really counts at the end of the day and not how many so called v.i.ps were in attendance at his burial. What is the use of their coming to mourn a man they hardly helped when he needed their assistance the most, anywaz? They might as well continue to keep it real... My heart goes out to his widow and children. May they find solace in the arms of the Lord. Later o.

delemajek  # 8 | 21.07.2008 06:52

My message to all is LIVE A GOOD LIFE and ensure posterity remembers you for good. Human friends, relatives & perceived well-wishers may not care to honor you in your hours of need & may not see the reasons to be @ your burial for that matter . The other PMAN members that deliberately opted out of Okosuns' burial should remember the transient nature of life.

i-go-better  # 9 | 21.07.2008 07:31

A very good, detribalised, God-fearing Nigerian, lived a fulfilled live and died peacefully. Why all these tears? Is it bcos of the age at which he died? He did not die too young either! His only mistake; he dabbled into politics and abusing anyone who said anything against Obj. He and the former president of CAN, Mbang saw Obj as the Messiah for Nigeria! I doubt Obj who wept at Adedibu's burial sent any condolence message to the family of this great Nigerian. I hope this will teach the living musicians some lessons.

blooming_i  # 10 | 21.07.2008 12:38

May his soul rest in peace.

---

The conversation continues in our forum. Click here to read all comments

---