Vincent Ujumadu
10 February 2008
Awka — ENCOMIUMS were poured freely by prominent politicians, muscians and sympathisers, as the late highlife maestro, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe was laid to rest in his country home, Atani, Anambra State weekend.
Osadebe whose body was brought to Atani Primary School compound by undertakers at about 12.30 p.m was laid in state for friends, sympathisers and relations to have their last glimpse of the man who was a star in the highlife music in the country for almost 40 years. He was later interred in his compound.
In his homily, Ven. Emma Aniagor, secretary of Christ Holy Church International (Odozi Obodo), charged the sympathisers to come closer to God so that he can teach them to number their days aright. "Where will you spend your enternity? It is the divine purpose of God for us to know where we will spend our eternity as there will be a day of recknoning at the end of our lives", said Ven. Aniagor.
He described Osadebe as a collosus who would be difficult to replace, but urged those who are aspiring to step into his big shoes to maintain the identity of his music because, the musician's hallmark was that he maintained his identity.
In his tribute, the president of Performing Muscians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Tee-mac Omatsola, said that the association would set up an education foundation in all the state branches of the organisation adding that the SouthEast branch would be named after Osadebe.
He said that Osadebe left an indelible legacy in music, adding that his music and legacy would live forever.
According to him,"Osadebe's contribution to highlife music as basic modern African music should not be allowed to die. Muscians have fond memories of Chief Osadebe who left over 70 long playing records to his eternal credit", said Omatsola.
He noted that if his family were able to manage his music well, they would continue to reap from his music, citing Bob Marley's music, which he said, is fetching his family about $300m annually, several years after his death. The PMAN president said that his ambition is to make sure that radio and television stations pay royalties for music they play in their studios. The Ogbaru Development Association (ODA) through their chairman, Chief D.N.C. Uwadiegwu appealed to the State and Federal Government to immortalise Chief Osadebe, commending his contribution to the development of Atani and Ogbaru.
"Osadebe epitomised hummility and used his music to preach against the social ills in the society and like typical Ogbaru man he did not place much emphasis on materialism", said Uwadiegwu. The ODA chairman said that Osadebe in his lifetime placed Ogbaru in the world map by promoting their culture through his music. Chief Okwudili Uzoka, who represented Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representives from 1999 to 2007, equally eulogised Osadebe as a model and an international figure.
Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, in his speech said that Osadebe has lifted the image of Nigeria, Anambra State, Ogbaru Local Government, and Atani in particular, urging the people of Anambra State to emulate his lifestyle and his achievement Former governors of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, Chief Andy Uba, Senator Ugochukwu Uba, minister of state, Transport, Prince John Emeka, member, House of Representatives, Hon Chuma Nzeribe, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Anayo Nnebe, Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) , Mr Osita Chidioka, Sir Emeka Offor, chairman, Chrome Oil and other well-meaning Nigerians were present at the funeral ceremony.
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