Osinachi Nwachukwu: Lawyer Immortalises Late Singer With Annual Award

A Nigerian lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi, has memorialised the death of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu by launching an annual award for young gospel singers.

Afolabi, a zealous fan of the late Osinachi, who allegedly died due to complications from domestic violence, is an Edo-based lawyer whose favourite song of hers is ‘Oku n’ere ere’. 

The lawyer said the annual award which will attract 50,000 naira will go on as long as he is alive.

“I wept over the death of the 42-year-old Osinachi, especially the circumstances surrounding her demise. The Bible allows for separation when you feel that you can no longer continue in that marriage.

"To avoid death, you can separate, look at what has happened to her, her life has been cut short, you can imagine what she still had in her yet to be released to the world.

“Domestic violence is not limited to men, we have also seen women beating their husbands to death. Well, we await police investigation and if her husband is found wanting, he should be charged to court and prosecuted to a logical conclusion” Afolabi expressed.

Speaking on the award, the lawyer said: “I am doing that to honour her and it will be floated throughout my lifetime to encourage young gospel artistes because this ugly incident may discourage some young artistes, especially when you look at the stories surrounding her death and how her fortunes were being managed.

"The young gospel artistes should know that they are ministering and preaching the gospel and so they should be encouraged.”