COSON SENDS RAS KIMONO HOME

For two days, the usually calm Oluwaleimu Street in the Allen Avenue area of Ikeja in Lagos was on lockdown as artistes of all colours and prominent personalities from within and outside the country stormed the street which houses the magnificent COSON House owned by Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) to pay last respect to a legendary Nigerian artiste, the Rub A Dub Master, Ras Kimono.

COSON pulled every stop and left no arrangement unmade as it sent forth the legendary Kimono home in grand style as expected as part of the rite of passage for a King which the iconic musician represented both in charms, poise and admirable personae.

Born Oseloke Augustine Onwubuya on the 9^th of May 1958 in Onicha Olona, Delta State,the affable Ras Kimono had exhibited traits of his enormous musical talents at a tender age. Thereafter, he learnt the ropes of performance under the tutelage of the Agbor based highlife musician, known as Saint Augustine famed for the hit track Ashawo No be work . He relocated to Lagos where he hoping that his towering dreams of a successful musical career will be well achieved but the price for such dreams came at no small costs, and the great Ras Kimono was determined to face it headlong.

Upon his arrival in Lagos, he joined the AFRO VIBRATIONS BAND led by Perry Earnest Okocha. Perry Earnest Okocha was the sweet voice that led Sonny Okosun’s first monstrous hit titled help. After that, the young Kimono ventured into Disc Jockeying at the FLOATING BUKKA, a famous nightclub once situated on the Lagos Marina, and later joined JASTIX REGGAE ITAL made up of Amos McRoyJegg, Black O’Rice, George Orwell and Majek Fashek before his eventual entry into the palatial abode of stardom with hit tracks such as UNDER PRESSURE, KIMONO DE WANT, RUMBA STYLEE, WE NO WAN, NATTY GET JAIL to mention just a few.

Ever since he attained fame, the incredibly talented Reggae icon maintained a cordial relationship with his colleagues and friends, built a virile family circle blossoming with five rose buds, a healthy love life and a scandal free professional life.

On Wednesday, August 23, at the sleek red-carpet event, a tribute night like no other held in his honour by COSON, an organization he had dedicated his time and energy towards safeguarding its cause and also a serving Board member until his passing at the LAGOON  Hospital, Ikoyi on the  June  10, 2018.  The tribute night was well attended by music industry personalities, media executives, top government functionaries and the larger fan base of the beloved music legend.

On the top floor of COSON House at the stunning COSON Arena, there was a tightly produced show which opened with an invocation by gospel artiste, Kenny Saint Best. 

The show featured first class performances by the likes of Tama Nisa, a beautiful young singer with the voice of an angel. Flanked by five sweet looking girls dressed in black, each with a lit candle, Tama Nisa wowed the audience with “Good Night Ras Kimono” adapted from Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind followed by “Jolly Good Man”, a moving tribute in song to Ras Kimono by reggae singer, Righteousman.

Incredibly gifted singer, Essence Uwale was also on stage at the COSON Arena and she brought tears to the eyes of many with her unique rendition of “One Sweet Day.

Instead of the traditional minute silence, there was a Minute of Whistles in which everyone in the audience blew their whistles in celebration of Kimono, very well known for his love of whistles.

The show at the COSON House was streamed live on several media platforms and on a huge screen on Oluwaleimu Street where a significant audience lined the street and watched until the beginning of the explosive music concert on a huge stage set up by COSON on Oluwaleimu Street which concert went on until the early hours of Thursday. 

In between the performances, there appeared on the big screen at the COSON Arena, a finely scripted documentary personally produced by the COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji which traced the life of Ras Kimono with details unknown to many; from his birth in his hometown, Onicha Olona to his passing on in Lagos. The documentary received a rousing applause.

Aside the heartfelt performances, there was an unusual outpouring of moving speeches, which truly suggests that he Late Ras Kimono had affected many people in the most remarkable ways. They all described him as a man with a large heart, loving to a fault, full of smiles and a disciplined type.

The unforgettable event with Koffi as MC, ended with a moving performance of “Holy Spirit” by the iconic reggae legend, Majek Fashek after which the tribute night shifted to the grounds of Oluwaleimu Street where artiste after artiste took to the big stage and performed through the night and into the morning. 

Next day, Thursday, the 23rd, Oluwaleimu Street witnessed the grand Kimono Lying in State. The body of the reggae lion was placed in an all glass casket on an enchanting dais designed by Gbemisola Amedu and set up by Lefranc Eventors, in front of the magnificent COSON House.

People streamed in from everywhere to view the body and pay their last respects to the Rub-A-Dub Master. After the lying in state, a strong delegation of the COSON Board and officials; the Rastafarian community, members of the family, friends, other entertainment industry personalities and the media, set out in a massive convoy to Asaba, the capital of Delta State. 

The body in a white Cadillac Escalade hearse, which was cheered by Nigerians on the road, all the way to Asaba, was received in the Delta State capital, on behalf of the state government by the state Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Mr. Emma Chinye. 

At every stop along the way, ordinary Nigerians waved with many singing and dancing to “Under Pressure”, “What’s Gwan?” “Rumba Stylee” and the rest of the unforgettable music of the great Ras Kimono who was a 100% COSON activist and Board member to the end.

ADIEU, My Brother and Friend.