TRAGEDY HITS ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, 4 DIE IN ONE MONTH

Late Elder Steve Rhodes

As the remains of Pa Steven Omodele Rhodes were buried yesterday, NFC can reveal that monumental deaths has hit the entertainment industry.

The first practitioner to kick the bucket was Sonny Okosuns, who died on Saturday, 24 May, 2008.

Aged 61, Okosuns died in the United States of America after a prolonged battle with cancer of the colon.

Samuel Odey a.k.a. Sammy Needle, 37, died on Thursday, 29 May. He was said to have slumped at his Oke-Ira residence and before he could be rushed to the hospital, he died.

Same day, Elder Steve Rhodes died in United Kingdom. The great musicologist passed on at 83 after he had been in and out of hospital in the last one year.

He was said to have had a successful operation a week before he died.

Also, the movie industry was thrown into mourning as popular actor, Tajudeen Akanmu a.k.a. Koledowo of Koto Orun fame, slumped and died in his Osogbo residence.

The young Koledowo has been committed to mother earth.

Meanwhile, the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), has described Pa Rhodes' death as a great loss.

A release signed by Jaiye Ojo and Tunde Kelani on behalf of ITPAN stated that “his death will throw a challenge to us to further raise our standards and ensure that the work that he dedicated major part of his life to, continues to be held in high esteem.”

Also, the National President of Nigerian Musicologists, Professor Mosun Omibiyi-Obidike, said the death of Elder Steve Rhodes, who was patron of the association, has created a vacuum in the music industry.