Simon Ebegbulem
18 July 2008
Edo — THOUSANDS of Edo State indigenes, including traditional rulers, members of the state Executive Council as well as National and State Assembly members, thronged the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium yesterday, to pay their last respect to the late Oziddi musician, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns.
His body was flown aboard a chartered aircraft to Benin at about 9:30am for the funeral ceremony/Lying-in-State. There was out pour of tears from the public as his songs were played at the stadium.
Governor Osunbor, who was visibly cold, lamented in his speech that the state "is deeply saddened by the sudden demise of this illustrious son of the state. A rare gem, a detribalized Nigerian and a pride to Africa.
According to William Shakespear, when beggars die, there are no comets seen but the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. Sunny Okosuns was no doubt a prince in the struggle to dismantle the apartheid regime in South Africa.
"He was a musical prince and a prince in the Kingdom for National Unity. Let us all be consoled that everything that happens in this world happens at the time appointed by God. He sets the time for birth and the time for death," he said.
Governor Osunbor further noted that "his anti apartheid songs became the vital tonic that propelled the efforts of the Nigerian and African Governments in the united fight to liberate the oppressed people of South Africa .
It was therefore not surprising that he was invited to perform at the inauguration of Dr. Nelson Mandela as the first democratically elected President of South Africa," he said.
In her remark, the widow, Florence Okosuns, said she was short of words because of what she described as the huge support the Governor gave to the family during and after the death of Okosuns in the United States.
She thanked the Governor and the entire people of the state for their support, saying that "I am a woman that has a big heart of appreciation but I speak less.
But God will bless you and your administration because without your support, we the family would have been in trouble today. I want to say thank you and thank you."
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