By Patrick Ochei
The family of late music legend and highlife crooner, Chief Emeka Morocco Maduka has fixed his burial dates from April 6th – 8th, 2021.
The children of the deceased musician, Igwe Ugochukwu Maduka and Mr. Chukwuemeka Maduka made this announcement when the UK based Global Friends Africa-Euro Hospitality Association paid a condolence visit to the family at their family house in Awka, Anambra State.
Delivering a condolence message on behalf of the President of the group, Mr. Eddie Isebor who could not possibly come from UK, Mr. Sam Asoluka, publisher of a UK based Ambassador Magazine implored the family to take solace in the fact that God had allowed the death of Morocco at this time.
He assured the late musician’s wife and children that the group would continue to keep in touch and promote the memories of Chief Emeka Morocco whom he said had touched lives positively with his “Ekpili” kind of music.
Mr. Asoluka who was accompanied by Comrade Patrick Ochei, the group’s Nigerian based publicist, assured the family that the group would be fully represented at the burial.
He however, made a cash donation to the family and promised to follow up on other activities ahead of the burial ceremony. He also presented publications made on Chief Morocco in Integrity Watchdog International Magazine.
Responding, the bereaved wife of Chief Morocco thanked the group, in particular the President, Mr. Eddie Isebor for his undying friendship and quantum of support to Chief Morocco.
She asked the delegation to tell Mr. Isebor how grateful she and her children had remained for all he had done in promoting Morocco’s music internationally, especially his 60th anniversary in music.
Based on the family’s arrangements, there would be a wake-keep service at the Ukwuru village of late Chief Emeka Morocco while the actual funeral would take place on the 7th April, 2021.
Meanwhile, the South East PMAN and the Ozo Title holders would have their day of performance on the 8th April, 2021, to honour Chief Morocco as the Life Premier of South East PMAN and Ozo Nwelibe of Umugama in Ukwuru town of Anambra State.
Chief Emeka Morocco Maduka, the King of Ekpili music was the second longest performing Igbo musician after Chief Mike Ejaya from Enugu State.
He was to celebrate his 60th Anniversary in Highlife Music under the promotion and sponsorship of Global Friends Africa-Euro Hospitality Association in March 2020 at Onitsha and Awka, but it was abruptly cancelled due to the increase of Coronavirus Pandemic globally.
Another date was also fixed in October of same 2020 which was equally cancelled due to spike in the number of infections globally.
Unfortunately however, Chief Morocco died before a third date could be fixed for 2021 to enable the world get over the Covid-19.