Posted by Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha on
The remains of the highlife maestro, Dr Stephen Osita Osadebe may arrive Nigeria this weekend after funeral rites for him in the United States where most of his children reside.
The remains of the highlife maestro, Dr Stephen Osita Osadebe may arrive Nigeria this weekend after funeral rites for him in the United States where most of his children reside.
A family source told newsmen at Osadebe's country home, Anioha Osadebe in Atani, Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State, that the arrival of Osadebe's remains will kick off a catalogue of activities that will lead to the eventual interment.
However, attempts to elicit information from three of his four wives and three daughters hit the rock as they insisted that embargo has been placed on them not to talk to anybody about their husband's and father's death.
According to them, tradition does not allow them to talk to people on any matter bothering on the demise of their father, stressing however, that their eldest son, Obiajulu, who is now in United States is the only competent person to talk on the matter.
However, one of the daughters, Obiamaka Maduagwu who spoke tacitly with tears said that the news of the death of their father threw everybody in the family into shock and confusion, because according to information they got from US, he was already recuperating from his illness and was preparing to return to Nigeria before they suddenly learnt about his death.
"We are not happy that our great father has left us. Since last Sunday we are finding it difficult to even cook, and eat and even watch our television", said Obiamaka, who described her father "as a deluge of flood that quenches raging fire (Okemiri Nemenyu Oku).
However, sympathizers were sauntering into the expansive compound of Chief Osadebe at intervals, but no condolence register has been opened by the family and no known public official or politician has visited the Osadebes as at Tuesday.
Mr Okechukwu Yusuf, one of Chief Osadebe's tenants in Onitsha described him as "a very difficult experience", having known him for 26 years now.
Describing Chief Osadebe's death as death of a father, he said that Osadebe believed in good moral behaviour, revealing that Osadebe has never asked any of his tenants to pack out and hardly quarrels with anybody.
He said that his solace however, is that Chief Osadebe has left behind him, those who will continue his music career, especially, one of his sons, Arinze, saying that his demise will not affect his music.