The body of the late Pop-Gospel artist, Kefee (Irikefe Don-Momoh, nee Obareki) was given a queen’s burial on Friday in her hometown, Okpara Inland, Ethiope-East Local Government Area, Sapele, Delta State.
The whole town ground to a standstill as the body of their late daughter arrived Akpevwoghene Educational Centre, Okpara Inland, around noon in a white SUV with ‘Omega 1’ as the plate number.
She was also in a white casket and was laid in state in the middle of the school’s football field while friends and family paid their last respects. The casket was not immediately opened to the public but a funeral service was held in her honour while Sammie Okposo, his band and other Gospel artists took turns on the stage set up at the venue.
The husband, Teddy, clad in white had arrived earlier and received the body along with members of Kefee’s family. They first took her into one of the classrooms and said some prayers before taking the body to the centre of the field.
Photographers were asked not to take any pictures for a while as things were being organised. They were allowed to take shots and move around unhindered once things settled down.
A number of entertainers like DJ Gosporella, I Go Dye, Linda Etukudo, Nene SoulDiva, Anny Ibrahim, Princess, Aity Dennis, Daddy Showkey, Tosin Martins and Nikki Laoye were present at the funeral.
After the service, the body was then transported to the burial site nearby where a beautiful mausoleum had been erected and buried amidst tears from friends and well-wishers.
The parents, out of custom, were forbidden to either witness the funeral service or see the dead body of their child.
Afterwards, in the evening, everyone regathered in Sapele for a celebratory event where the Gospel artists and a number of local upcoming artists performed till late into the night.
Kefee was a well-liked Pop-Gospel artist who had been active in the entertainment industry for the past ten years. She was born on Feb. 5, 1980 in Sapele, Delta State and was known as the Branama Queen, in reference to her debut hit track and album, ‘Branama’.
She also scored a hit with the track, ‘Kokoroko’, featuring Timaya and had four albums to her credit— ‘Branama’ (2003), ‘Branama 2’ (2005), ‘A Piece of Me’ (2009) and ‘Chorus Leader’ in 2013.
Kefee passed away on June 13, 2014, in the United States of America. She is survived by her husband, parents (both living), friends and well-wishers.
Venue of the burial service
- Kefee’s banner
#KefeeLivesOn
Kefee’s team of friends
Asari Dokubo showed his support
Rex and the youths
Kefee’s friends lead her in
- Kefee’s body arrives
Teddy arrives
Kefee’s coffin
A priest prays
Kefee’s friends wait on her
The Sapele crowd
Teddy Don-Momoh
Teddy
Some sat on the ground
While some did business
More crowd
Kefee’s sister
Kefee’s sisters
Kefee’s brother
Sammie Okposo on stage
I Go Dye
Anny Ibrahim cries
Princess and Aity
Charles Granville and DJ Gosporella
Kefee’s body arrives graveside
The Mausoleum
Rex and friend
The coffin grave
Mourners
Daddy Showkey at the graveside
A mourner
Some climbed the trees for a better view
A mourner
Dance on stage at the after-burial celebration
Dancing on stage
Anny, Princess, Nikki
Anny Ibrahim sings
Anny dances
Aity Dennis and Nene SoulDiva
Linda Etukudor and Anny
Daddy Showkey dances
De’covenant
Chibueze Okereke and Sony Neme
Gbenga Akintokun
Godbless takes the stage
Godbless
Gosporella and Nikki
Greatman performs for Kefee
Joan Paul
Joan and Sammie
KBK
Lauretta sings
Lauretta
Nene SoulDiva
Nikki, Aity, Nene, Joan
Murphy Majesty
Bisi OnadipeDavids
Performers
More performers
Playboy performs
Princess and Nikki dance
Rex and Chilee Agunanna
Rex sings
Daddy Showkey sings
Daniel sings
Favour sings
Tosin Martins and Sammie
Tosin Martins sings for Kefee
Linda Etukudo, Aity, Nene and Nikki
Chilee Agunanna and Tosin Martins
A performer
Another performer
A guest
Daddy Showkey and fans
Sammie Okposo sings
Kefee’s friends gather on stage for one final photograph
The moon shined on for Kefee
