Harvey’s death on February 14 was earth-shaking. Likewise, her final journey on
February 25 was tumultuous. As the remains of the Nigerian pop singer were
buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos, in a burial service that commenced
at the chapel by 10 am and ended with the dust-to-dust rite at 12 noon,
friends, family and fans of the departed singer could not hide their pain and
anguish.
It was a day, men cried
like kids and women wailed inconsolably- from her best friend Denrele to her
British husband, Andrew Harvey, from her label boss Keke to presidential
aspirant Dele Momodu. If tears could reawaken the soul of a departed, enough
tears were shed to raise Goldie back to life. Alas, death is an exit-only door.
And as corpse of the DTMB singer is lowered unto mother earth, the realization
that she was gone forever made the mourners wailed the more.
It was indeed a festival of tears and emotional tributes on Monday as family, friends, colleagues and well wishers paid their last respect as Hip hop star and former Big Brother Africa housemate, Susan Harvey, popularly known as Goldie, was laid to rest.
The burial rites and service took place in a chapel at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos. At exactly 9:32 a.m., her remains were ushered into the private cemetery by her family members and friends in a Mercedes Benz R350, by MIC Caskets and Rangers amid tears and wailings.
However, the service kicked off at about 10 a.m., with the full attendance of entertainers from different sectors of the industry.
Prior to the burial proper, the message sent across by the deceased family was that just her family and friends whose names appear on the list would be allowed entry into the venue. However, a large number of journalists ignored the caveat and attended the private service.
Just like the Yoruba tradition demands, Goldie’s parents were absent, because parents are not supposed to bury their child or children, it should be the other way round. That notwithstanding, three of her siblings and her British husband, Andrew, were at the chapel where they also read moving tributes for Goldie.
What Goldie wore in death
Even in death, Goldie’s fashion sense and style was still very much intact, thus reminding many of her red carpet moments while alive. Her remains were attired in a wine colour puffy net-gown. Her makeup and false lashes were just like the golden Goldie while alive. Without being told, one would mistake her corpse for a ‘sleeping beauty.’
Officiating Pastors- Goldie was a prodigal daughter
The short service-cum-admonition was presided over by Pastor Oluleke Akinola and three other clerics. The man of God while reading from Mathew 7:12-14, urged all present to be closer to their creator and live as if the day was their last. The preacher for the day, Pastor Komolafe said, although Goldie was brought up in a Christian home, she strayed by taking to secular music. He however said he was happy to know that Goldie’s father prayed for her shortly before her death.
While taking the Bible reading from the book of Isaiah 65: 6-7 and 1st John 2: 15-17, the cleric said all should return to God like the biblical prodigal son.
He said, “Although she died at a time when her glory was supposed to start to shine, but God knows best. I was glad when her dad said her last words were ‘Daddy, please pray for me.’ She was raised in a Christian home but moved outside God’s plan. Even her colleagues will tell you she showed restraint in her music. That was the influence of good Christian upbringing. You all should tap into the grace of God before it expires because there is no more grace after death,” he advised.
How Goldie died, Joshua, brother
While reading Goldie’s biography, Joshua, the deceased’s younger brother, painted a clear picture of what really transpired the night her sister passed on. He said Goldie fell into a coma and did not get to the hospital on time because of the traffic snarl caused by Valentine’s Day.
Narrating her last moments amid tears, Joshua said the last person his sister spoke to before her death was their father whom she asked to pray for her.
He said, “Although Bimpe (Goldie) appeared energetic and happy all her life, on February 14, 2013, she complained of headache which led to her death. Her last words were with her father when she snatched the phone from her brother and asked that she wanted to talk to daddy.
“While crying about a splitting headache, she asked for prayer support. Alas she went into coma almost immediately and died on the way to the hospital due to the Valentine traffic.”
After the men of God passed across their messages and clarion call and her biography loudly read, it was time for tributes. Due to lack of time, four people were called upon to read their last words to Goldie as her casket laid right in front of the chapel.
Kenny Ogungbe’s poem for Goldie
The entertainment big boss shocked other mourners when he burst into an uncontrollable tears. For about three minutes, he stood mute and lost with tears cascading down his face.
Then he said in an emotion-laden voice, ‘Lovely and talented Oluwabimpe Goldie Susan, if I’m to start saying all, I can’t finish.
A piece of sunshine was given to us, so golden and so bright to light up our lives. Illuminate our world with a laugh and a smile. Now she is gone the light is dimmed, where is our sunbeam. So now we light our candle in the dark to help our starlight find her way back to the sun.
Though it’s painful, so lovely to have left on Valentine’s Day, May almighty God grant your soul eternal rest forever and ever in Jesus Name, Amen.”
Denrele – We wore same clothes
After Kenny Ogungbe was Goldie’s best friend and business partner, Denrele Edun. Among Goldie’s friends, Denrele seems to be the worst hit, as he couldn’t control his tears and anguish.
Soaked with tears, Denrele was supported by two men, who were constantly telling him to ‘take heart.’
Goldie’s acclaimed best friend said: “You were a lifeline, a therapist. You inspired my success and worldwide recognition. I could remember that we used the same shoe size and have the same body proportion. Even when you were not around and a tailor wanted to make your dress, they take my measurement. I wear your clothes first before you. We were just more than friends. You made me start strutting lashes and I recall how I wore that your black dress you never got to wear. No masterpiece can ever match your face. What I still find hard to come to terms with is how I will manage with our reality TV show; True Friendship. I’m dedicating it to your memory and I’m going to do all I can to get it off the ground. Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as gorgeous now as when last I saw her.
Her slightly disappearing figure and total loss from my sight is in me, not in her.Please I beg you all, speak no evil about her. Let my dear friend rest in peace. She was too good to be true.”
Toyin, Goldie’s immediate younger brother -I’m still in shock
According to the young chap whose all efforts to hold back tears was futile, “Sis Bimpe, I don’t really know what to say but this is the greatest shock of my life. I have always thought that we all will live long and be happy. That we all will fulfill the purpose for which God has called us to this life to accomplish. She never told me that she will leave so soon. I used to remember those wonderful times when we were still very young. Well, in all God knows the best. He has the final say on our lives. I just want to use this medium to say, I love you. May she rest in the bosom of the Lord, till we meet to part no more”
Goldie’s hubby, Mr. Andrew Harvey -God will bless her soul
For her husband, Mr. Andrew Harvey, it is a dream cut short, his plan of making babies this year with his wife of 2006 was cut short by her sudden death.
Fighting back tears, Mr. Harvey bade his wife farewell with a tear-dropping eulogy.
Hear him: “Those cheeky smiles, the time we spent together, oh no, there will be no other Goldie. God bless your soul in heaven.
“Susan you walked into my life. It was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said, ‘Love killed Romeo, sent Diana to an early grave and killed Jack on the Titanic. Forget about love, just have friendship and live long.”
Goldie’s dad- We thought Goldie will sing for Jesus
Like earlier stated, although the parents of late Goldie couldn’t make it to the last burial rites of their daughter, her father composed a wonderful tear-jerking tribute. He said: “Bimpe Harvey was my first born, the first evidence of my strength and destiny. She was hard-working, focused, intelligent, and smart and determined to excel. She started relating to celebrities in newspapers and magazines as a teenager. I did not encourage her but she chose her own path and I had to succumb.
We trained and exposed her to the truth – Jesus Christ. We were hoping that one day she would sing for Jesus. Indeed, she had started showing signs of becoming a blessing to the family, but God knows best. Her stepmother made wonderful efforts to help like any biological mother would do.
‘Her husband spoilt her with love and care. We are satisfied that we have all done our best. We all love you and would miss your love and support. Adieu.”
Julius Agwu- She was a rare gem
We are in a mourning mood and I wouldn’t want to say much. I love Goldie’s drive to make it in life and carve a niche for herself. And we all will miss her so much because she is a rare gem.
Idris Abulkareem -We’ll immortalize her
The first time Goldie’s path and mine crossed was three years ago. I loved her drive, her flair, her energy. I wrote her song ‘Gbe Oko Lowo E’. The song that she did with Eldee. She was very ready to learn and amiable too. Goldie was down to earth and very simple to relate with. I still can’t believe she is gone and committed to mother earth. We are making plans to immortalize her and keep her legacy. But we can’t disclose that for now until the mourning period is over.
Essence and KSB’s nonstop tears
Kenny Saint Best was equally emotional, wailing at the top of her voice. She was held tightly by her two friends, for fear of a big fall. She was visibly down and emotionally laden. When she found her voice, she could only advise her colleagues. She pleaded with them to be cautious of stardom, and draw closer to God. Essence was well comported and held her head up to control the free flow of tears.
Jimmy Jatt – We lost a great talent
“Yeah! Goldie is gone and buried. It is a pity we lost such a great talent. Goldie had the zeal and energy to push until she got to where she wanted. We are really going to miss her.”
Tiwa and Tee Blizz-She was truly golden
Although, Kele Kele Love crooner walked into the chapel few minutes to closing hour, she was in the company of her fiancé, Tee Blizz. When it was time for the burial proper, the two love birds were emotionally unstable. Tiwa was moved to tears but held it back with much effort while her husband –to-be starred into thin air so short of words. In her tribute, Tiwa said “We love you so much Goldie but our heavenly father loves you even more. Your music and legacy will continue to live on. You will always be our Golden Goldie. Rest in Peace my dear sister.”
Ovation Magazine boss, Dele Momodu described the late singer as an amiable personality. He noted that she was a person that anyone would love to be attached to. “She is indeed a big loss to the entertainment industry, hence a clarion call that we should take care of our health because we don’t know who is next,” he stressed.
We all have our days when tears flow freely without let, when it comes to the issues of death, we are actually all babies and it does not really matter how we express our emotion. Dele sobbed as he meddled with the thoughts of the little Bimpe he used to know.
Roll call of stars
On ground to bid farewell to Goldie were: Chief Dele Momodu, Mayor Akinpelu, Kunle Bakare, Gbenga Adeyinka, Julius Agwu, Eldee, Jaywon, OJB, JoEl, Tiwa Savage and her fiance, Tee Billz, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Olisa Adibua, Sexy Steel, Queen Ure, Weird MC and the Kennis Music label family. Others were Jumobi Damijo, Denrele, Eedris Abdulkareem, Capital Femi, Freeze of Cool FM among others.
Stars that shunned Goldie’s burial
Although it was a star-studded ceremony but absence of some A-list stars was visibly noticeable.
Mavin record crew was absent except for Tiwa Savage who came late. Other musicians who shunned her include: Tuface Idibia, D’banj, Wizkid, Davido, Choc-boys, Tonto Dike, Terry-G, Faze and other notable entertainers. Oluwabimpe Harvey, famously known as Goldie died on February 14 after returning from the United States where she attended the Grammy Awards.
