Posted by By TESSY OKOYE on
Minister of Culture Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, on Monday paid a condolence visit to the home of the late popular gospel musician, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, promising to look towards ensure that the deceased gets a state burial.
Minister of Culture Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, on Monday paid a condolence visit to the home of the late popular gospel musician, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, promising to look towards ensure that the deceased gets a state burial.
While paying tribute to the late Oziddi King in Lagos the minister described him as an epitome of celebration, freedom fighter, patriot and great Nigerian.
Kayode nostalgically recalled his first meeting with Okosuns as a student of CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos.
Kayode, who urged upcoming artistes to emulate the late musician by deploying their talents for positive use, also disclosed that there are a thousands and one Okosuns waiting to be discovered and celebrated, in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, indications on when remains of the music icon who passed away in a United States hospital on Saturday would be flown into the country remained hazy but glowing tributes have continued to trail the late Oziddi King who died at Howard University Teaching Hospital, Washington D.C, U.S.A. after a prolonged battle with cancer of the colon.
Speaking to Daily Sun, at the deceased's Lagos home, his younger brother, Charles told Daily Sun that he was still waiting for confirmation of the return of Okosun's corpse, from his first son, Sydney and widow, who were both based in the US. 'Only Sydney and his widow can say exactly when their dad's body would arrive Nigeria for burial," Charles stated.
Nevertheless, Charles who still wore mournful looks hinted that arrangements had reached top gear to give Okosuns a befitting burial.
Meanwhile, the mood at the House of Prayer Ministry, which Okosuns pastored when he was alive, was still tense when this reporter called on Monday. Some of the church members discussed the incident in hushed tones. Once in a while, some sympathizers succumbed to emotions, and shed tears. Others put their faith in God, by praying for the repose of the soul of the cleric.
Also during a visit to the Oziddi King's home, factional president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Tee Mac, in a tribute described him as a great fighter who kept on despite his illness. 'He is irreplaceable," the flutist stressed.