Entertainment
Ras Kimono Buried In Absence Of Wife, Daughters
Sybil, the wife of late Nigerian entertainer, Ras Kimono and his daughters were conspicuously absent at his burial which held over the weekend. The remains of the legendary Reggae singer was finally laid to rest in his hometown, Onicha -Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday, August 25.
Kimono’s remains contained in a Rasta Farian coloured casket were lowered into the ground at exactly 3.20pm by Ven. Josiah Ogom of the Asaba Diocese of the Anglican Communion. The burial was witnessed by a crowd of politicians, entertainers, friends and Reggae lovers who stormed the town to pay their last respects to the legendary reggae singer.
Dignitaries at the event included a large presence of Nigerian performing artistes led by Chairman of Copyright Commission of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, Opa Williams, Orits Wiliki, Daddy Showkey, Buchi, Yellow man, Candy Sea and Bright Chimezie, among others.
Others were Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development, Karo Ilolo who represented Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon Amaechi Mrakpor Emeka Nwaobi, Delta State Commissioner for culture and Tourism, Bazim Chinye and members of the Rastas fraternity including the National Grand Patron for Nigeria, Ras Edu Dickson.
Ras Kimono died on June 10, 2018 at the age of 60 in Lagos. The burial activities for the music Icon begun in Lagos where he spent most of his youthful days and ended in his home town.
Speaking at the event, Okoroji said the late singer was “unbeatable, unpiratable and wonderful. He was a Nigerian like no other, we don’t mourn him, we celebrate him. Kimono never smoked and never ate meat, yet he was great in his chosen field. As we say goodbye to this lion, let us remember that he had no father, no mother, no brother, no sister, but we should unite to support the daughters he left behind.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
Nancy Briggs
