The remains of Nigeria’s reggae legend, Ras Kimono was laid to rest last weekend at his ancestral home of Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State in a carnival like ceremony which brought members of the entertainment industry together.
It was weeping and wailing by fellow artistes like Orits Wiliki, Righteous man, Yellow man, Majek Fashek and over one hundred others that came to bid the legend and lion home.
The burial activities of the Rub- A- Dub master, which started from Lagos through Asaba to his home town, witnessed mammoth procession by lovers of his genre of music, members of the Rasta’s fraternity and the Copy Rights Society of Nigeria (COS0N).
In an interview with WEEKEND OBSERVER, the family head of where Ras Kimono hails from, Diokpa Ogbuokwu Otu described the death of Kimono as a big shock to the community.
“But we are however consoled with the fact that he was a good man who used his God given gift to impact the world. When he was a small boy, he used milk cup and stick to sing round the community. Today, we are amazed with the caliber of persons that have come to send him home to his creator,” Diokpa Otu who is the eldest in the community noted.
According to him, “the community will miss him a lot because he was our pride. Since when we heard the news of his death we have not been happy. However, we realize that we are all mortals that will leave this earth one day. But what matters is what you left behind.”
Also speaking in an emotion laden voice, Chief Executive of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji said Kimono who was a very active member of COSON was a very talented and detribalized Nigerian who always stood for peace and uniting people in his life time.
“Kimono was a man that brought people together in life and even in death. He never took drugs or smoke, he does not eat meat and he loves everyone, bringing unity within the music industry,” he added.
He noted that Ras Kimono who had no mother, no father, brother or sister but see how the world has gathered for his sake because of the quality of life he lived. He therefore urged the music community to come together to support the five daughters and the love of his life, Efe, he left behind.
The duke of African music, Chief Bright Chimezie who was a neighbour to Kimono, said he was God’s deposit to impact lives, adding that, “If you put his songs on you will think he is alive. I am sure that if there is music in heaven, Kimono will pump music there. He was a friend and brother. I had to cancel all my appointments to be here.”
At the grave side in a mausoleum built for the late musician, the presiding priest, Venerable Ogom Nsaka of the Bishop court, Asaba Anglican Communion prayed for the repose of the soul of Kimono noting that “we should thank God for the impact he made with his music in the world”.
In the same vein, a close friend of Kimono from the United Kingdom, Don Pedro Okojie said the music legend touched the lives of the youths with his music. “He spoke about poverty, homelessness, hunger and youths on the streets. He talked about education, how the government and the people could help the future.”
“I do not know any other musician that has contributed intelligently to lyrics. Listen to his words, not just the rhythm and you will know the stuff kimono was made of. Here was a man who had no father, no brother, no mother and sister, yet made success out of his life from nothing,” he noted.
According to him, “Kimono was an example to anybody in the world, that even if you do not have any support, you can still succeed, so long as you have the talent that you need to use, that you know how to harness and once you are consistent in what you are doing, you will surely succeed”.
