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 Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:42 am Post subject: Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe - Highlife Maestro |
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Highlife Maestro, Osadebe Buried
Champion
Alphonsus Nweze
9th Feb. '08
Amidst tears from family members and eulogies from prominent politicians, muscians and sympathisers, the late highlife maestro, Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, was laid to rest in his family compound in Atani, Anambra state.
Osadebe, whose body was brought to Atani Primary School compound by undertakers at about 12.30pm, was laid in state for friends, sympathisers and relations to pay their last respect to the man who dominated highlife music in the country for almost a quarter of a century before he was taken to his compound for interment.
Preaching shortly before he was buried, Ven. Emma Aniagor of Christ Holy Church (Odozi Obodo), charged the sympathisers to come closer to God so that he can teach them to number their days aright. Sounding rather rhetorically, he asked "where will you spend your eternity?" Stressing that the answer to the question is necessary because it is the divine purpose of God for us to know where we will spend our eternity as there will be a day of reckoning at the end of our lives.
He said that Osadebe was a colossus, which will be difficult to replace, but urged those who will step into his big shoes to maintain the identity of his music because the muscian’s hallmark was that he maintained his identity. "Who will take over from Osadebe? He has maintained his identity. Whoever takes over from him must maintain his identity," said Ven. Aniagor.
In his tribute, president of Performing Muscians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Tee-Mac Omatsola, said the association will set up an education foundation in all the state branches of the organisation and the Sout East branches will be named after the late Osadebe. As a musician, he said Osadebe left an indelible legacy, stressing that his music and legacy will live forever.
The PMAN president said Osadebe’s contribution to highlife music as basic modern African music should not be allowed to die, saying that they, muscians, have fond memories of Chief Osadebe who left over 70 long playing records to his eternal credit. He said if the family of Osadebe manages his music well, they will continue to reap from stating that Bob Marley’s music is fetching his family about $300m annually, years after his death.
The PMAN president said 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 among others.
Former governors of Anambra state, Dr. Chris Ngige, Chief Andy Uba, Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Minister of State, transport, John Emeka; Speaker, Anambra state House of Assembly, Mr Anayo Nnebe, Corp Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidioka, were present at the funeral ceremony. Governor Peter Obi, his entourage and Sir Emeka Offor later came after the internment.
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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm |
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