Gospel singer Chidinma Ekile has finally broken her silence on the death of senior colleague Sammie Okposo.
Sammie died on November 25 at the age of 51.
Several gospel and secular artistes paid tributes to the deceased immediately after his death, but Chidinma did not say anything publicly until Friday, the day after Sammie was buried.
Her tribute came in an Instagram post in which she uploaded a video of Sammie and fellow gospel singer Buchi singing as she danced on her 30th birthday in 2021.
“Singing to me, this is how I choose to remember you,” she began the long caption on the post.
The 2010 Project Fame West Africa winner continued: “Your sincere support and love kept me going on this journey of mine. Sitting in your office for hours just to hear you push me, encourage me, tell me in your exact words ‘CHIDINMA YOU BELONG HERE, YES, YOU BELONG TO THIS KINGDOM AND GREAT FAMILY OF GOD, SO WELCOME HOME.’
“YOURSELF AND Deacon BUCHI are the two most sincere, non-judgemental, unhypocritical support and encouragement ever gotten.
“I will never stop hearing you say ‘No send anybody, just hold the GOD weh call you strong’. I will miss you Uncle Sammy.
“Yes, we lost you here, but heaven gained you on the other side.”
Sammie, Buchi, Mercy Chinwo and Chioma Jesus were among those who welcomed Chidinma into the gospel fold when she dumped secular music in 2021.
Reacting to her switch from secular to gospel, Sammie wrote in an Instagram post back then “Chidinma my dear sister welcome home. Happy Birthday. It’s double celebration.
“Congratulations. Jesus did it. Thank you Jesus.”
