DELE MOMODU'S Last Conversation with Goldie

I returned to Nigeria on Valentine’s Day, February 14, and felt the love around me whilst walking through the arrival section of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. I spent a long time waiting for my luggage. The Delta flight from Atlanta must have arrived while I was still at the airport. On that flight were two of my great friends, Chief Kenny Ogungbe, the President of Kenny’s Music and one of his extremely popular artistes, Goldie, born to Ekiti parents as Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey. I had known Goldie for several years but we became close last year when I invited her to sing at the Ovation Carol & Awards where she gave a superlative performance on December 21, 2012.

According to impeccable sources, Goldie left the airport with Mr Ogungbe, otherwise known as the world famous Keke and spent time with his family before his driver took Goldie to her house. She had complained of severe headache which apparently became worse somewhere along the line. She ended up at the highbrow Reddington Hospital but there are conflicting, now insignificant, reports that she was dead on arrival.

I was about going to bed when the news hit me like thunderbolt. I immediately went on Twitter where her news had gone viral. I made a few calls and eventually got Kenny Ogungbe’s partner Mr Dayo Adeneye in Atlanta, who confirmed my worst fear. Goldie’s death has almost overshadowed others news out of Africa.  As I write this special tribute, her story is on BBC 4 by Zeinab Badawi. Seems we never appreciate stars until death takes them away from us. Though she was chunked out of the Big Brother House in South Africa, Goldie has kept herself relevant and newsworthy.

The world is indeed a strange place. Goldie had shared her 2013 dream project with me during our last Blackberry chat on December 25, 2012:

Goldie: Merry Christmas Chief. I wish you all the joy you deserve today and always sir.

Me: Goldie Mama

        Thanks again

        You were awesome

        Proud of you

Goldie: Thank you sir. We will perform again next year and the year after that. Thank you for the opportunity

Me: Just landed in Ghana

Goldie: I’m coming to Ghana ooo

Me: When

Goldie: In the new year.

I want to record a track with Sarkodie

Me: Ok it is a deal

Goldie: Pls sir if you can help me talk to him

I’ll be most grateful

Me: I’m attending his show tonight

Goldie: Thank you very much sir

Me: Yours sincerely

As I read and re-read that chat last night, tears of unfulfilled dreams rolled down my cheeks. The energetic lady was gone with the wind, just like that. I will never see her perform again at the Ovation Carol & Awards as she promised. She will never sing with Ghana’s hottest rapper Sarkodie, as she had hoped. And we will never chat again!

When she graced the cover of the current Ovation International, little did we realise it was going to be her farewell to the world. I will never forget the excitement she expressed when I sent the cover of the magazine to her. I believe she wanted the world to read her story, not the embellished ones usually splashed about celebrities.

I’m glad she got the chance to have her last say.

Adieu, my darling Sister.

Rest in perfect peace.