Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, has poured encomiums on Majek Fashek, a Nigeria-born reggae musician and songwriter, who passed away at the age of 57.
News of his death shook the music industry on Tuesday.
“I’ve been having pressure calls from all over. Yes, it is true that the legend has gone to meet with the lord. This time, I want to say we should all celebrate him, his achievement,” Omenka Uzoma, his manager, wrote.
“He has done a lot for Nigeria, Africa. Whatever the family decides, It will get to you. This is all I have to say for now.”
Taking to Twitter to join a host of other Nigerians who have since been paying tributes, Obaseki described Fashek as a maverick musician who took the world by storm with his “enigmatic talent.”
“I mourn the death of quintessential, maverick musician and Edo son, Majek Fashek,” he wrote.
“Fashek, who took the world by storm with his enigmatic talent, remains one of the finest cultural icons of his age and would be remembered for his disarming craft and skill.”
With a slew of hits to his name, Majek was acclaimed to be the best in his home country for ‘Prisoner of Conscience’, his 1988 hit album, which birthed ‘Send Down the Rain’, a multiple award-winning single.