"Kimono had spent all his life promoting good governance"- Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

It was the news of the sudden exit of the legendary musician and reggae exponent, Ras Kimono.  How? Where? Why? These were the questions on the lips of his ardent fans and loyalists.

Kimono had planned to travel to the United States of America (USA) Saturday evening. A source however claimed that while he was on his way to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, to catch up with his flight, he complained to friends around him of certain ailment and was immediately rushed to an unnamed hospital for treatment at Ikeja.

When the hospital personnel seemed not forthcoming with plausible results, he was taken to another hospital on Lagos Island where he finally died on Sunday morning.  Another source, which pleaded anonymity, said he had slumped at the airport while waiting to board a flight on Saturday night.

But Tony Okoroji, chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), who claimed to have been in the company of the dreadlocked musician before he passed on, narrated the story of his last moments:

“I was by his hospital bed at Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi on Saturday night before he passed on early on Sunday. Despite his ailment he was in good cheer and we even shared jokes. I spoke to the doctors who expressed the view that he may have passed through the worst. I was at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja on Sunday when I got the devastating phone call that got me screaming like a mad man. I was already checked in for a flight to Owerri. That was the end of the trip and the airline had to go to the aircraft to retrieve my already loaded baggage.”

Physically emotional and almost lost in thought, Okoroji said Kimono, who lived for just 60 years, was indeed a man of his words all through.

“Kimono was not just a great musician but a truly fantastic person. He had no angst against anyone and stood for truth and justice at all times. I have not just lost a colleague but a valued friend. This is absolutely devastating.”

Also, Pretty Okafor, president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), said he was still finding it difficult to recover from the shock of the news of his death.

“Ras Kimono was a very humble and excellent person. He was more like a father to me than a friend or colleague. He was one musician that never had any issue with anybody in the music industry. We are really going to miss him.”

Born as Ukeleke Onwubuya, but better known by his stage name, ‘Ras Kimono,’ the uniqueness of his reggae lyrics, his life of advocacy and the rare personality he represented were described as a great influence to his world within the short time of his existence.

For instance, Aralola Olumuyiwa, the talking drummer, ‘Gangan,’ popularly known on stage as ‘Ara,’ said she was planning to have a musical collaboration with the late musician before his death. According to her, the `colabo’ would have also included Majek Fashek and other reggae musicians.

“When I discussed it with him, he told me to wait for him to return from his trip to the United States of America, but he never went. His death hits me badly because he was such a humble and kind hearted fellow.” She further said that the reggae musician had bid the world farewell unannounced.

Ara, who claimed to have met Ras Kimono last week at Sir Shina Peter’s 60th birthday bash, said it was unbelievable to conclude that same man is no more.

“I am completely down and surprised because I saw him last week looking healthy only to wake up from my siesta yesterday (Sunday) to hear of his death.”

Born on May 9, 1958, in Onicha Olona in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Kimono’s exit has been described as a tragedy to the world.

Former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, who revealed that Kimono’s death was a big blow to him personally, Delta State, Nigeria and the entire globe, described the deceased as a gifted revolutionary.

“Kimono was a gifted revolutionary who applied his immense musical talent and impressive energy to make not just Nigeria but the entire world a better place. I have known Ras Kimono for a very long time. While I was Delta State Governor from 1999 to 2007, the musician remained close to me all through. He would often visit me and I was open to whatever advice he had to offer. I also enjoyed a warm personal relationship with him. He would often come along with one or two of his fellow musicians and would throw banters on end.”

Also, reacting, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State described the death of Kimono as a great loss to the people of the state and Nigeria’s music industry.

“I received with sadness the news of the passing away of Ras Kimono, a great reggae legend. He will be remembered for his hit song, Rumbar Stylee.

“I join lovers of reggae music to mourn this great loss. He belonged to an era of great reggae music exponents in Nigeria.”

The governor added that Kimono had spent all his life promoting good governance through reggae music, good entertainment and healthy community relations.

Some of the best songs that brought Kimono to global recognition include: Natty Get Jail, Rhumba Stylee, What Gwan? We No Wan and Under Pressure. 

And now that the music maestro appeared to have gone ‘under pressure,’ the world sings on:

under pressure we wail under pressure

under pressure black people under pressure