Osadebe, Famous Musician, Buried

Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha - 09.02.2008

AFTER series of postponments occasioned by family misunderstanding, the remains of Highlife King, Osita Osadebe, were on Friday buried in his home town, Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. Speaking on the life and times of the late musician, the National President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Tee Mac, said it was gratifying that Osadebe preached against the ills of the society through his music. Mac said that Osadebe’s brand of music cut across ethnic and religious divides.

He said the music impacted positively on people within and outside the shores of Africa. He called on the state and federal governments to immortalise the late musician in appreciation of his contributions to the growth and development of the music industry in the country. Also speaking, Dr. Andy Uba remarked that the late highlife meastro had done Nigeria proud by propagating her rich cultural heritage, adding that his many legacies could not be forgotten.

Uba, who was greeted on arrival by a thunderous applause, stated that legends such as the late Osadebe should be given a place in the history of Nigeria as a way of encouraging hard work and creativity. He further described Osadebe as a positive role model who, despite his huge success, was humble and accesible to both the rich and the poor.