VIDEO AND PHOTOS: KEFEE THE BRANAMA QUEEN GOES HOME :( #KEFEELIVESON

Banner erected in Kefee's memory in her hometown, Okpara

HipTV News Coverage of Kefee's Funeral

Late Pop-Gospel artist, Kefee (Irikefe Don-Momoh, nee Obareki) was finally laid to rest on Friday July 11th 2014, in her hometown, Okpara Inland, Ethiope-East Local Government Area, Sapele, Delta State.

The whole town ground to a standstill as the body of their late daughtery, , led by a procession of her friends in the entertainment industry,  arrived Akpevwoghene Educational Centre, Okpara Inland, around noon in a white SUV with ‘Omega 1’ as the plate number.

A procession of Kefee's friends - Nikki Laoye, Anny, Nene & others 

Rexa (Urhobo youth leader) and other youths call out Kefee's arrival

Kefee's body arrives

The husband, Teddy, clad in white had arrived earlier and received the body along with members of Kefee’s family. The family had a private moment in one of the classrooms and said some prayers before moving to the centre of the field.

Teddy, Kefee's hubby arrives

Teddy watches on in grief

Kefee's lying in state

She was in a white casket adorned with angels on each corner and was laid in state in the middle of the school’s football field while friends and family paid their last respects. A short funeral service was held in her honour while Sammie Okposo, his band and other Gospel artists took turns on the stage set up at the venue.

Members of Kefee's family including her brother and sister also handled different aspects of the service. 

Kefee's sister

Kefee's brother

Kefee's friends/colleagues - (L-R) Nene, Aity, Princess, Linda, Anny & Nikki Laoye

Kefee's close friend/Gospel Artiste, Anny Ibrahim in tears

Charles Granville & DJ Gosporella

The entertainment industry was fully represented by friends and colleagues of Kefee , who had created the Kefee Memorial Commitee to help the family organise the burial of one of their own. These included Sammie Okposo, Nikki Laoye,  DJ Gosporella, I Go Dye, Linda Etukudo, Nene SoulDiva, Anny Ibrahim, Princess, Aity Dennis, Daddy Showkey, Tosin Martins, who were all present at the funeral.

Artistes and Members of the Entertainment Industry

A cross section of the large crowd

After the service, a procession led by her younger brother, moved to the burial site nearby, where Kefee was laid to rest, amidst tears from friends and well-wishers. A beautiful mausoleum, housing her tomb, had been erected in her honor.

The parents, according to custom, were forbidden to either witness the funeral service or see the dead body of their child. Afterwards, in the evening, everyone re-gathered in Sapele for a celebratory event where the Gospel artists and a number of local upcoming artists performed tribute songs and some of Kefee's hits till late into the night.

Kefee was a well-liked Pop-Gospel artist who had been active in the entertainment industry for the past ten years. She was born on Feb. 5, 1980 in Sapele, Delta State and was known as the Branama Queen, in reference to her debut hit track and album, ‘Branama’.

She also scored a hit with the track, ‘Kokoroko’, featuring Timaya and had four albums to her credit— ‘Branama’ (2003), ‘Branama 2’ (2005), ‘A Piece of Me’ (2009) and ‘Chorus Leader’ in 2013.

Kefee passed away on June 13, 2014, in the United States of America.

She is survived by her husband, parents (both living), friends and well-wishers.

Culled from Waholaaa Blog
Video courtesy of HipTV

Editor's Notes: 
Our Hearts go out to the family of the Obarekis and Don-Momoh. Kefee was/is a gem that is completely unforgettable! She was one of the best things that happened to Nigeria and we are glad that we were fortunate to be born at a time when we could appreciate all she had achieved. God bless you Irikefe, thank you for giving us the gift God gave you! You will be missed! #KefeeLivesOn