All over the Oil-Rich City of Warri, Saturday, October 18, 2014, fans of South African born but globally revered Lucky Dube celebrated his 7th year remembrance in a grand style.
Lucky Dube was killed on Wednesday, October 18, 2007 by armed robbers in a bid to steal his car, Chryster 300C in Rosenttenville, a suburb of Johannesburg.The incident happened shortly after dropping two of his seven children off at the uncle’s house. Dube was driving his Chryster 300C which the assailants were apparently after.
Police reports at the time suggested he was shot dead by carjackers. Five men were arrested in connection with the murder. Three men were tried and found guilty on March 31, 2009; two of the men attempted to escape and were caught. The men were sentenced to life in prison.
And seven years on without Lucky Dube, a sea of his fans and reggae lovers celebrated him in a big way.
All over town, his music played from big speakers and many also watched him on giant
television screen.
At Old Boys Network, a drinking bar located on the busy Airport Road in Warri, Lucky Dube’s fans defied the heavy downpour to be part of the 7th remembrance of the man who touched millions around the world with his music.
The CEO of Old Ways Network, Okiemute Okies, while welcoming fans of Lucky Dube on that day, said; “This is our own little way of honouring and remembering Lucky Dube who used his songs for global unity. He fought against the ills that we are still battling with today all over the world.”
“We decided to mark today as a special day for a special somebody we cannot forget in a hurry. We are still feeling the pains and hurts of his death and that is why we will always remember him in Jah’s special way.”
At Bem Vindo Hotel and Suites located on Km 1 Osubi/Eku Expressway, the atmosphere was charged as fans danced to Lucky Dube’s music, while others watched Dube’s performance on a giant screen.
Rasta Orbada Clark, CEO of Ben Vindo Hotels and Suites, described Lucky Dube as a great man.
Rasta Orbada who fixed the gate of Lucky Dube’s house way back in 1993, said he met Dube for the first time in 1992 and saw him for the last time in 1998.
He said; “He was a great friend of mine and we will be together forever. I was in a deep shock when I heard the sad news about Lucky Dube’s death. He was a very nice and humble person. He made me to know Soweto very well and I cried like a baby all through October 18, 2007. I was in the United States when I heard the news and I called a brother in Johannesburg who confirmed the sad news and I cancelled all my appointments for the day.”
Rasta Orbada Clark who is based in Brazil said; “I came to Nigeria since September just to celebrate Lucky Dube back home and now that I have done that, I am free to go back now. Living without Lucky Dube in the past seven years has been very hard, but he left behind his music for all of us. We cannot do away with his social-political messages that he lived and died for.”
De Blenderz Band (Prince Perekeme and Perebibo) added colours to the celebration at Bem Vindo Hotel in Osubi.
