…as more tributes pour in

By Fred Iwenjora

News of the death of Dr. Gabriel Chukwuma Ozoani better known as Gabzani which started circulating weeks ago may have reached a crescendo as more tributes continue to flow in after our publication last Saturday.

Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta, one time NFA Vice Chairman, Tennis buff Chief Ben Ezeibe were among those who grieved and expressed shock on the passing of the music icon. Professor Chike Anibeze informed that Gabzani was associate professor and not an emeritus professor as we reported.

He also said that he Gabzani was survived by the wife and four children – two sons and two daughters. He regretted that Enugu State, especially Agbaja people in Ezeagu Local Government of Enugu State had lost an illustrious son.

Ozoani was among the pioneers of Nigeria pop music as a lead singer for The Wings, Strangers and One World before venturing into the ivory tower, becoming a lecturer at ESUT.

In a chat with his grieving wife, Mrs. Ify Ozoani who is currently being inundated by sympathisers at their Trans Ekulu Enugu home “Gabzani is yet to be buried. I feel sad about his death. I felt bad when you reported that he had been buried. Just like that? No ooo. It must have been rumour.”

According to her, the larger family was still consulting to set a burial date.

Mrs Ozoani also corrected the impression that Gabzani is survived by two children as reported.

She said “my husband had four children two of whom are engineers while one is a lawyer and the other still an undergraduate.

Meanwhile more tributes and reactions are dropping from some of his friends and associates concerning the demise of Gabzani.

Pastor Dallas kingsley Anyanwu former fronts-man of the defunct Sweet Breeze described Gabzani as a

“fine, gentle, very humble and gifted singer.”

He also prayed that “his gentle and creative soul rests in peace. Amen”.