SAMMIE OKPOSO, THE DELTAN-BORN MAESTRO GOSPEL SINGER AND HIS IMPRESSIVE AWARDS ACCOLADE 

Did you know that the late Delta State-born Sammie Okposo won 40 awards during his singing career as a gospel artiste and that his last musical album was in 2018?

Sammie Okposo, born 30 May 1971, was a Nigerian gospel artist. He was also a music producer, psalmist, and the CEO of Zamar Entertainment, released his popular album Addicted in 2004.

Okposo collaborated with many other artists in the gospel and soul music fields. He collaborated with popular gospel singer Marvellous Odiete on "Follow You", has performed regularly in Africa, Europe, and North America, and curated a series of concerts called SOPP (Sammie Okposo Praise Party). His most recent album, The Statement (2018), was produced by the Grammy-winning Kevin Bond.

In 1992, Okposo became a soundtrack producer in the Nigerian movie industry. This was the official start of his career as a producer. He then switched to making music. When he released his first album, "Unconditional Love," in 2000, with the hit single "Welu-Welu," he shook up the music business. Okposo was known all over the world and won many awards in Nigeria.

Okposo issued a public apology to his wife, Ozioma, via his Instagram page on 24 January 2022, following his infidelity. The apology came a day after a lady, known only as African Doll, accused him of impregnating and abandoning her. Okposo told his fans that he would be taking a step back from his ministry to focus on restoration and seek forgiveness. He initially deactivated his social media handles, but restored them a few days later.

Okposo died on Friday, November 25, after he reportedly slumped in his home, at the age of 51. The late singer’s last post was a throwback to his show, the ‘Sammie Okposo Praise Party’ (SOPP) that held on the 4th of November. He wrote, “Throw Back Thursday. SOPP live in Lagos. Friday, Nov 4th 2022. it was a blast. JESUS DID IT.” The post featured clips from the well-attended event.

Only a week ago, Okposo announced to his fans that he would be performing at the ‘Sinach and Friends Live in Concert.’ The show, scheduled for the 11th of December, at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel, features other gospel singers like Nosa, Frank Edwards and a host of others.

In April, the late singer made headlines when he gifted budding gospel singer Tobi Jeff Richards with a Toyota Corolla to celebrate his album listening and concert.

During his life, Okposo won series of awards including: Most Promising Male Artiste (1994) at the Fame Music Awards, Best Soundtrack (1997–2000) at The Movie Awards, Nigeria; Best Gospel Artiste (2001) at the Amen Awards, Nigeria; Best contemporary gospel Artiste (2002) and Gospel Artiste of the year (2002) at the Power of Music and Praise Awards. He was nominated for the Best Male Gospel Artiste in Africa (2003) at the Kora Awards, South Africa.

In 2005: Best Male contemporary gospel Artiste in Nigeria at the Amen Awards, Best remix Album at the CNA Awards, Artist of the year at the Teen Choice Awards, Best Gospel Artiste in English at the Afro Hollywood Awards UK.

In 2006: Gospel Artist of the year, and Best Sound and Music Score [Amazing Grace] at the Nigeria Movie Awards, Best Male Gospel Artist in Africa at the Kora Awards, South Africa.

In 2007: Gospel artist of the year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, New York. In 2008: Best Gospel Video at the Nigerian Music Video Awards, and Best contemporary Gospel Artiste at the Nigerian Music Awards.

Im 2010: Excellence in Entertainment at the God Zone Award. In 2011: Best music video producer at the Nigeria Music Video Awards. 

In 2012: Positive Impact Awards at the Inside Out Media Awards, Best Male Christian Artiste at the Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation Awards, Trail Blazer Award at the African Gospel Music Awards U.K., Grassroot Ambassador of the Year at the Real Soccerfest and CAN, 

In 2013: Album of the Year (The Statement) and the Artiste of the Year at the Crystal Awards, Nigeria; Best Gospel Artist at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, New York City; Nigeria Best Indigenous/Traditional Song Nigeria, Album of the Year, and Artiste of the Year at the Gospel Music Awards, Nigeria.

In 2014: Music Video of the Year (Who Tell You Say) at the Africa Gospel Music Awards (UK), Best of Africa Gospel at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards (SA), Best Gospel Music Video (Who Tell You Say) at the NMVA Nigerian Music Video Awards.

In 2015: Gospel Artiste of the year at the African Entertainment Legend Awards; Best Music Producer, and the Best Afro High life Artiste at the The Beatz Awards.

In 2016: Best Worship Song at the Trumpet Gospel Music Awards South Africa, Best of African gospel awards at the Atlanta Georgia USA-Trail Blaizer Award.

1n 2017: Male Artiste of the Year at the African Gospel Music and Media Awards,UK (AGMMA Awards).

When Okposo died, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman revealed that the church neglected the gospel singer until he died, stemming from his infidelity where the late singer, on 24 January 2022 issued a public apology to his wife, Ozioma, via his Instagram page following his infidelity.

Reacting to Okposo's death, Suleman wrote: “Now they post his pictures…but never reached out in his trying times.. He told me what pastors did to him and we both wept.. Love has left the church.. We have more ‘lawyers’ who are ready to judge than intercessors ready to restore.. Rest in power my brother.. You conquered!”