Amadi: Sunny Ade, Femi Kuti, Daddy Showkey, Salawa, others mourn

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI AND AYO ONIKOYI

Eminent artistes are among those from whom tributes have continued to pour in for the late Entertainment Editor of Vanguard, Mr Ogbonna Amadi, who passed on, on Wednesday.

King Sunny Ade (KSA) sent a delegation to the home of the deceased journalist to convey  his condolence.

Others who condoled with the family, yesterday, include Daddy Showkey, Salawa Abeni, Ras Kimono, Orits Wiliki, Femi Kuti and Dele Abiodun.

KSA, in his tribute,  sent through Charles Ogundipe, described the late Amadi as an achiever.

“Amadi, you left too soon. You lived a fulfilled life and set aside all obstacles that could derail your trip to eternity. That means you can now rest blissfully on His right hand side”, he wrote.

Ogundipe, who delivered the message, having known Amadi for several years, added  his own tribute and was full of praise for the late entertainment reporter. “ Amadi, lived and died a fulfilled man. He attained the highest height of his chosen profession. He will be well-missed by friends, colleagues and associates. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” the KSA image maker said.

“Amadi lived and tarried with several known entertainers, not only as a reporter but as a close friend. Sometimes he went beyond the call of duty to get the job done while touching lives”. The late Sonny Okosun family sent a representative, Charles Okosun. He wrote:  “ Amadi, you are not only a friend, you are our brother, son, confidant of late Evangelist Sonny Okosun and the entire family remember how you shared secret jokes and make fun. On behalf of the Okosun family, may your soul continue to march with the Saints”

Edwin Igbokwe, husband of the late songstress, Christy Essien Igbokwe, had to cut short a trip when he heard the news .“ Just do not know what to write. I heard about this your departure while I was away in India on a business trip. Amadi have a blissful rest”, he wrote in the condolence register.

The ‘’Ijoya” crooner, Weird MC, wrote: “ You were more than a journalist to me, you were a brother and a friend. I saw you last on the Third Mainland Bridge and you waved to me, little did I know that you were saying goodbye. We will miss you”.

Daddy Showkey was speechless and could not even pick the pen to write. So much was his grief that he only said: “Baba RIP. It is so sad o, so sad”.

‘Amadi last born yet to realise his father is dead’

Meanwhile, the youngest son of the late Amadi, Benedict, is yet to realise that his father is dead, according to Miss Funmilayo Adisa, younger sister of the wife of the deceased.

Adisa narrated how Benedict had been oblivious of what happened when Sunday Vanguard visited the bereaved family, yesterday.

The sister-in-law described the late Amadi as “a father, a brother, confidant, amiable person who was always willing to offer solution to situations”, adding that she would  miss the deceased.

She narrated; “Benedict is about six years and some months.  He has been playing around thinking his dad travelled and would soon come back.

”The second day that people started trooping in to pay their condolences, Benedict asked me if someone was getting married in the family because the last time there was influx of people in the house was about two months ago when there was a wedding.

“He whispered into my ear, `Aunty, are you the one getting married this time?’  I nodded and he went back to play with his colleagues  in the compound.

”But we were all touched when the deceased’s elder brother, his look alike, came in from home. Immediately, Benedict saw him, he mistook him for his dad, saying, ‘daddy is back, but he is so gentle. Why is he suddenly gentle and not doing his gra gra again?.’

”Since then, he has taken his uncle to be his dad.  We don’t know what would happen when he (uncle) finally leaves. Its so sad losing Mr Amadi Ogbonaya at this critical period. I pray God grants us the fortitude to bear the huge loss.”