By Oluwatosin Ajayi
Sammie Okposo, Nigerian gospel artiste has been confirmed dead in Abuja today Friday, November 25 after he collapsed and was treated for exhaustion last week following his return from his praise party concert in the UK. Righteousman, a colleague to Sammie made this known to newsmen and described Sammie’s death as a tragedy.
Had he not given up the ghost, he would have ministered with fellow gospel singers, Eben, Chuks Praise, Joy Favour, and Victor Edit at the Outpouring Assembly International in Calabar between November 25 to 27.
Recall that Sammie survived a car accident on the Third Mainland Bridge in 2020. Below is a list of songs he released during his lifetime and some facts about from.
Evergreen Songs of Sammie Okposo
Welu Welu
Sammie took the gospel music industry by storm after he released this ‘Welu Welu.’ The song which he sang in Pidgin endeared many listeners to it. This first track from his first album, ‘Unconditional Love’ released in 2000 remains one of his hit songs.
Jump and Shout
‘Jump and Shout’ is another track from the year 2000 album. It was used at Christian worship centres and parties. Again, Sammie recorded this track partly in Ghanaian Twi.
Naija Praise
Sammie who seemed to have a knack for local languages recorded this track in Isoko, Urhobo, Edo, Efik, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo. ‘Naija Praise’ is a track from his second album, ‘Addicted,’ which he released in 2004.
Lift him High
This is another track from ‘Addicted.’ It is almost the same as the ‘Lord I Lift Your Name on High’ released by the Maranatha! Singers in 1989.
Na Only You I know
This track digresses from the upbeat tempo of Sammie’s tracks. He featured artistes like Ige, Kefee, Essence, Samsong, and Soji Isreal in the song. This is one of the songs from ‘No more Drama,’ his 2006 album.
Jehovah Idi Ebube
Jehovah Idi Ebube is from the deceased’s 2012 album, ‘The Statement.’ He sang this in English and Igbo.
Baba Ye
Considering the title of this track, Sammie rendered this in Yoruba. He featured Mike Aremu in the track.
Sing Halleluyah
He released the song in 2019. ‘Sing Halleluyah’ was part of the Sammie Okposo Live in London Album. He recorded the album before a live audience in London.
Omeriwo
‘Omeriwo’ was Sammie’s sixth release in 2020. He featured Mercy Chinwo and Henrisoul in the song.
Too Good To Be True
He released this single in 2021. Sammie also arranged and produced the song.
10 Facts about Sammie Okposo
He was born on May 30, 1971 and died at age 51.
Sammie was not only an artiste but a music producer. He was also the CEO of Zamar Entertainment.
He was an award-winning gospel artiste. In total he won 41 awards between 1994 and 2017.
He hailed from Delta State.
He cheated on his wife, Ozioma, and made a public apology to her through Instagram in January.
Sammie was an international artiste. During his lifetime, he performed in Europe, North America, and other countries in Africa.
He was the United Nations Youth Ambassador.
The gospel artiste recorded 5 albums in total. He released ‘Unconditional Love’ in 2000, ‘Addicted’ in 2004, and ‘No more Drama’ in 2006. Also, he released ‘The Statement’ in 2012 and ‘S. W. A. G (Saved with Amazing Grace)’ in 2017.
He had 31 songs to his name.
He began his musical career in 1992.
