Ohanaeze mourns
From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Popular Nigerian Highlife Maestro, Godwin Chukwuemeka Opara popularly known as ‘kabaka’ is dead.
According to a statement released by Amarachi Anyanwu, Chief Operating Officer of Derda Promotions, a record label which recently embarked on promotion of his new album confirmed his sudden death after suffering from an undisclosed illness .
Kabaka who died on Thursday was a co-founder of the famous Oriental Brothers International Band in 1973 headed by Sir Warrior.
He was a songwriter and renowned guitarist who brought style and glamour to Highlife music in Nigeria before he formed his Kabaka International Guitar Band. After the death of Sir Warrior.
He became more popular with his lyrical rhythms and instrumental expertise in highlife music. He hails from Imerienwe in Ngor Okpala LGA Imo state.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has sympathised with the family of the late musician who it described as a great Igbo patriot.
President General of the Igbo apex social cultural organisation, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in his condolence message said “Kabaka is a man who has achieved greatness, every human being created by God has got a gift,people who are lucky and wise discover their talent.
“Kabaka discovered his talent and was able to utilise it in bringing happiness to people and those of us who come from Owerri, we’re proud of him and very happy with his success, we mourn his death and thank God for his service and all the things he did to make people happy, we pray almighty God to give him eternal life”. Iwuanyanwu prayed.