We’re Building On Legacies Of Late Sonny Okosun Says Family

The family of late legendary music icon, Sunny Okosun yesterday, hinted that plans were underway, to sustain the al legacies of the late song writer for posterity.
A brother of the late Okosun, Mr Iwa Okosun, said that the family intends to remix musical works of the late artiste, in 2026.
Okosun disclosed this on the sidelines of a “Make a Widow Smile for Christmas”, programme organised by the Advocacy for Widows Empowerment Foundation (ADWEF).
The event was held at Okosun’s Church in Lagos.
The late musician had impacted Nigerian society through his music to promote pan-africanism, freedom, and social justice.
According to Okosun, the family had been sustaining musical investments left by the late singer, including his church, adding that an annual memorial event is also held in his honour every May 23.
He said that this is to prevent the hard-earned legacies of their son, from going into oblivion.
“The essence is to keep his memories and legacies alive; Yes, Okosun is late, but his legacy lives on.
“We, the family members still keep every thing about him alive; the music is still going on, the videos are still going on and even his church is still very much in operation.
“His church, being the house of God, will never close down because his wife, children, brothers, sisters, family members and other church members still worship there,” he said.
He noted that the family has been able to preserve these legacies of the deceased, because they were all groomed in that direction, as some of his children are singers.
“My nephew, my niece and cousins, dey sing; i myself be artist and I dey sing,” he said.
He, however, identified factors such as the lack of finance as being a major challenge hindering progress, adding that some family friends and partners often extend support where they can.
According to him, “when one is alive and money is flowing, everybody wants to be attached to you; but the moment someone is gone, you can’t see any friend again,” he said
Okosun expressed optimism that the family will keep doing their best to preserve the legacies of their brother and son.
Sunny Okosun was born in 1947, and died in 2008 from health related complications.
He was legendary for pioneering African liberation music, blending Afrobeat, reggae, and funk to create the “Ozzidi” band, which carried strong messages against apartheid and for African unity.
He later became a gospel singer and founded the Okosun’s church, leaving a significant legacy.