According to a statement signed on behalf of the family by Hector Okposo, the singer died in the morning of Friday November, 2022.
“It is with a heavy heart but with total submission to God that I announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, Minister of God, Sammie Okposo.
Sammie slept and went to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, November 25, 2022.
More details about the burial will be communicated soon.
We are consoled because we know that he is with Jesus singing with angels. We kindly request that the family is allowed to grieve peacefully at this time.”
Early life and music career
Born on May 30, 1971, Okposo, who hailed from the Isoko ethnic group in the oil-rich Delta State, South-South Nigeria, was also a music producer and psalmist.
He reportedly played the piano in the church when he was around 10 years old.
He started as a soundtrack producer in Nollywood in 1995 and was behind some of Nigeria’s gospel hits.
He released his first album, “Addicted” in 2004 while his last album, “The Statement” was released in 2018. He was reputed to have popularised traditional gospel music.
He was well known with his hit track “wellu wellu.”
Premium Times reports that the late singer’s last post on Friday was a throwback to his show, the ‘Sammie Okposo Praise Party’.
“Throw Back Thursday. SOPP live in Lagos. Friday, Nov 4th 2022. it was a blast. JESUS DID IT.”
According to the newspaper, the post featured clips from the well-attended event.
It also reported that Okposo announced to his fans that he would be performing at the ‘Sinach and Friends Live in Concert’.
The show, scheduled for December 11 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel, features other gospel singers like Nosa, Frank Edwards and a host of others.
During his music career, Okposo won about 27 awards. Some include Best Male Gospel Artist in Africa (Kora Awards, South Africa), Best Sound and Music Score – Amazing Grace (Nigeria Movie Awards), 2006 – Gospel Artist of the year (Nigeria Music Awards), 2006 – Best Gospel Artiste in English (Afro Hollywood Awards UK), Gospel artist of the year (Nigeria Entertainment Awards, New York), Best contemporary Gospel Artiste (Nigerian Music Awards), Best Gospel Video (Nigerian Music Video Awards) and God zone award for excellence in entertainment (GOD ZONE Awards.
Okposo was also the Chief executive officer of his label, Zamar Entertainment.
He was married to his wife, Ozioma. He also had a daughter, Alula.
Scandal
Earlier in the year, Okposo was allegedly involved in an adultery scandal when a lady based in the United States accused him of impregnating and abandoning her.
The lady, African Doll, alleged that the gospel singer had become hostile to her after she informed him about the pregnancy.
She said they met in Dallas, Texas, during one of his tours, became close and started a relationship which led to the pregnancy.
Okposo, however, apologised to his wife, family and spiritual fathers on his verified Instagram page.
“I need to bring a very unfortunate incident to your attention as I am not proud of it but that this is the right thing to do. On my recent trip to the USA (Late 2021) I got intimately involved with a lady, knowing that this was not appropriate as a married man and a minister of the gospel,” he wrote.
“I am ashamed and regret my actions as it has caused a lot of pain to my dear wife Ozioma, my family, and me. As I work in making peace with God, repenting and asking for His forgiveness.”
The singer also said he would be taking a break from the ministry’s work to seek restoration.
“I am suspending myself from all ministry work until full restoration as this is what is proper and what I know I owe God and His people,” he added.
He specifically apologised to his wife for action, saying “To my wife, Ozioma, I am sincerely sorry I put you through this shameful and embarrassing situation. I broke your trust and disappointed you. Your forgiveness of my moral failure and poor judgment is important to me. I pray I will eventually be able to build back the trust and confidence every single day for the rest of my life.”