The funeral arrangements for gospel singer, Sammie Okposo, have been announced by the family.
Recall that the singer died on November 25, at the age of 51.
A tribute night will be held for him on Tuesday, December 13 in Lagos State, followed by a service of songs on Wednesday.
The funeral service for Sammie Okposo will take place on Thursday, December 15, and will be a private affair.
It had earlier reported when the family of the Wellu Wellu crooner released an official statement regarding his sudden death on Friday, November 25, 2022
However, according to the official statement by Hector Okposo, on behalf of the family, they are consoled because Sammie is happily singing with the angels in heaven.
“We are consoled because we know he is with Jesus singing with the angels.
“We kindly request that the family is allowed to grieve peacefully at this time”.
Hector Okposo
In an exclusive interview on November 27, Okposo’s manager, Hillary Vincent, revealed that the singer died in his sleep as against earlier speculations that he slumped.
“It is not true that Sammie slumped and died. That report is false. At the right time, the family will set the records straight. But, I can tell you authoritatively that he did not slump. Rather, he just did not wake up from his sleep”.
Hillary Vincent
Sammie Okposo started his music career as a soundtrack producer for Nollywood in 1992. He was well-known at that time in the small circle of Nollywood actors and producers.
He later began to get more career flashpoints when he started the Sammie Okposo Praise Party, a platform that brought many up-and-coming Nigerian gospel artistes into the scene.
The ‘Niger-Delta-born’ music star was known for strengthening the gospel music scene by taking his music away from the quiet confines of the church.
He released his first album ‘Unconditional Love’ in 2000.
BON honors Sammie Okposo
The 2022 edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards was held on December 3, 2022, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
To honor the memory of ace gospel artiste, Sammie Okposo, who died a week ago, the organizers noted that they have renamed the ‘Best Soundtrack in a Movie’ category after the late ‘Wellu Wellu’ singer.
This was also as a cleaning brand where Hypo, joined the train of sponsors for the awards by endowing the ‘Best Short Film’ category. The brand gave the winner of the category some funds to shoot a short film on hygiene.
Speaking on the latest developments, the founder of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, stated that the fact that newer innovations were coming in this close to the awards was a testament that this year’s edition was bigger and better than previous editions.
“Sammie Okposo in his lifetime was a force, and he did a lot for the growth of gospel music in Nigeria and beyond. We are not a music award, but we feel the need to honor him in some way. That was what inspired us to rename the ‘Best Soundtrack’ category after him. His loss will be felt by all and this is just a way to immortalize him”.
Seun Oloketuyi
Oloketuyi added that Hypo’s endowment of the short film category was a big deal. He noted that winning an award, and getting funds to do it again was a feeling any producer would welcome.
The awards organizer also stated that the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, had opened his doors wide for the entertainment industry, particularly the movie sector, to contribute to the financial growth of the state’s economy through tourism.
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