Renowned freedom fighter and musician, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, is dead.

He died on Saturday (24.05.08) at University Hospital, United States of America, after battling with cancer of the colon for almost one year.

Okosuns, known for his brand of music against forces of apartheid in the 1970s and early 1980s, was in the news recently as having been diagnosed with cancer, an ailment that took him to some major countries of the world, including India, where he sought medical attention.

According to his son, Mr. Oseghale Okosuns, who broke the news of his health in Lagos on Sunday, the musician died around 7pm on Saturday. He added that the family members were already meeting to decide when he would be buried.

He said that his father shuttled between Nigeria and the US between August 2007 and May this year. The younger

Okosuns added that last December, his father ministered twice in Port Harcourt. And between March and May, he ministered in Benin and Lagos.

Okosuns‘ death came a few days after the demise of Chief Jossy Olajoyegbe, the main promoter of Yoruba popular music in the 50s and 60s.

Our correspondent, who visited his Ogba, Lagos residence in the early hours of Sunday, said sympathisers had been thronging the residence to commiserate with members of his family.

Among the early callers was musician, Ms. Stella Monye, and Harry Moscow.

A former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Chief Tony Okoroji, expressed shock at Okosuns‘ death.

He said Okosuns would be remembered for his contributions to the industry.

He said it was sad that his death occurred when the world was witnessing Nigeria‘s biggest music award.

Monye said Okosuns was a national hero. She said, ”He did a lot for the entertainment industry. He used his music as a weapon to fight oppression and injustice. He was never a musician that had time to sing about mundane things. When the time called for it, he used his music to fight apartheid.

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We will miss him dearly. May he soul rest in perfect peace.

Na wao why all of them they get cancer? Wats happening? God help us

lets say something about this great musician as a last mark of respect for him.He was realy a freedom fighter. His music ruled the airwave in the 80's