Mother used to sneak out to watch our shows at night, ' P-Square reveal AS condolence messages continue to pour in from celebrities and fans of the Okoye family (Jude, Peter and Paul Okoye) over the death of their mother, the singing twins have described the death of their mother, Mrs. Josephine Okoye, in India on Wednesday, as the exit of a spiritual warrior. In a recent chat, Peter recalled the role played by their late mother in the success story of P-Square. 'You know that she was a prayer warrior, so, I don't need to tell you how she stood by us spiritually. Besides, she was the only one that believed in us, when we decided to make a career out of music. I can remember that she used to sneak us out at night then to attend shows without the consent of our father, who insisted that we must quit music to face our studies.' Mrs. Okoye, who was said to have died in India exactly five hours after undergoing a heart surgery, according to the singers' publicist, Bayo Adetu, was first admitted at the St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, but was transferred to Kolkata, India, where she died.'Mrs. Okoye, who was popularly known as a major pillar and source of inspiration to the singing twin brothers (Peter and Paul), had been in and out of the hospital for about four months before her death,' Adetu said. She is survived by her Jos-based husband, children; Ifeanyi, Henry, Jude, Lilian, Tony, Peter, Paul and Mary.MUSON graduates fresh scholarsAfter two years of intensive training in various areas of music, 29 students recently graduated from the MUSON School of Music. The graduating students specialized in areas such as piano, trumpet, violin, cello, tenor and alto eaxophone and Voice. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, a former Chairman of the Musical Society of Nigeria and current Trustee of the Society, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi congratulated the young men and women for their accomplishments and urged them to see this as the beginning of their journey to musical professional stardom.A patron of the arts, Gbadamosi recalled the excellent performance of the students during their graduation concert, noting that they could have featured on any stage anywhere in the world given the dexterity of their performance. As a mark of his excitement on the level of accomplishment of the students and to encourage them further, he awarded one of the outstanding graduates, Mr. Timothy Adesina a scholarship to embark on advanced training in his area of specialisation. Also speaking at the event, a Director of the MTN Foundation (MTNF), sponsors of the MTN/MUSON Scholars Project, Mr. Dennis Okoro noted that in the five years of MTNF's association with the MUSON School of Music project, over 130 students have been trained. 'The high level of dedication and commitment of the Director and staff of the MUSON School of Music is commendable.' The Chairman of MUSON, Bashorun J. K. Randle thanked MTNF for their support over the past five years and urged the organisation not to relent in its support for worthy causes such as the MTNF/MUSON Scholars Project. In appreciation of his performance in all aspects of their training, MTNF made a presentation of a digital keyboard to the best graduating student Mr. Olanrewaju Alaba Ilesanmi.Haddon for Okposo's ConcertIT has been confirmed that the American multiple awards winning artiste, Deitrick Haddon is on the bill for the upcoming Sammie Okposo's album launch concert in Lagos. If the singer makes it to Nigeria, then it would be his first time performing in West Africa. Billed for August 3, at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, the gig, which will see the formal release of Okposo's fourth studio work will also parade notable gospel artistes and comedians on stage. The 26-track work features collaborations from other talented singers, including Bouqui, Lamboginy, Marvellous and others.The album, which will be released under Zamar Entertainment in Africa and Tate Music Group (TMG) Records, Oklahoma, USA, will mark the beginning of a partnership deal signed last year, with the aim of showcasing Okposo's works internationally. Commenting on the show, Okposo said, 'what is giving him joy about the album concert is the positive reactions he has been getting from people. We are putting all necessary resources together to stage one of the biggest album release concerts in Nigeria. It's very challenging, but I'm overwhelmed with the responses we have been getting. I'm convinced it will definitely be a show of a life time for all those that will make it to the concert.' 'My record label has been working hard to project my brand internationally. One of the strategies is inviting Deitick Haddon to Nigeria to perform together on same stage at my album concert and also work with me on new tracks. There are lots of other plans, but we will take them one after the other,' he said. In 2000, Sammie came to limelight with the release of his debut album titled Unconditional Love. Welu-Welu, one of the tracks in the work became a monstrous hit and gained international popularity. Labeled as one of the most electrifying and inspiring voices in gospel music, his music has won him not only a wide audience and critical acclaim, but also numerous awards.Architect Elixy finds love in musicWITH parents in the academics, it is natural for Uche Ogbonna to pursue a professional career, especially as they spared nothing to make him get the best of education. However, after his graduation as an architect a couple of years ago, Elixy decided to dump his degree for music. The singer sent signals of what is to come recently when he dropped his first radio single, Igboro, which is gradually picking up. Presently, topmost in Elixy's agenda is to carve a niche for himself in the country's ever competitive music industry.'I decided to get a degree just to satisfy my parents; I studied Architecture. Now, I'm done with schooling and I want to face my music squarely, but my parents are not happy with my decision. It's not funny, but I'm determined to make my dream come true and my elder brother believes in me.' To Elixy, his brother's encouragement is more than enough for him to live his dream. 'I thank God for giving me such an understanding brother. I wonder where I'd be without his advice.' A product of the church choir, the singer, who is currently on Lynx Records, describes music as his first love. Though an R'n'B artiste, his current single, Igboro, is a fusion of R'n'B and Naija flavour. 'We are currently working on the video of Igboro, but I'm not in a hurry to drop an album. There's still a lot to do; I'm just starting. I want to touch people with my music and the sky wouldn't be my limit. I'm so confident that if I wake up tomorrow and I am suddenly so big, I wouldn't be surprised.' To the artiste, competition is out of his plan.'I'm not here to compete; I'm not concerned about anybody. I'm just doing my thing because if you look at what people are saying or doing, you're going to be distracted,' he said.
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