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A YEAR WITHOUT GOLDIE

A flood of tears and tributes poured in about a year ago (on Thursday, February 14, 2013), when it was made public that Nigerian pop star, Goldie Harvey had passed on.

She was bubbly, adventurous, full of life and ready to take over the African music with her charm and infectious personality.

The maverick pop star was married to an European, Andrew Harvey in 2005. She passed away when she and her husband planned to start having kids.

The 31 year old also had planned to drop her second album last year. A compilation of her hit singles had been made before the unexpected happened.

Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey (nee Filani) was born in 1982 in Lagos. She attended Green Springs Montessori Primary School, Lagos and then St. John’s College, Palmgroove, Lagos. She later moved to the University of Sunderland, United Kingdom where she studied Business Management.

From Ikole, Ekiti State, her mother, Mrs. Olabisi Batley, died in 1994 of cancer. Her father, Mr. Filani, a retired banker lives in their home town in Ekiti State. The late singer was the only child from her late mother.

She started her music career in 2006. She was signed on to Kennis Music label in 2010 and won many awards. Her popularity rose when she participated in the Big Brother Africa Season 7 tagged Star Game. Her alleged romance with fellow housemate and Kenya born Prezzo was a major topic in the better part of 2012.

Aside singing, Susan Harvey was also a designer. She designed most of her outfits. She was said to have died from pulmonary embolism. According to Wikipedia, the ailment is an obstruction of a blood vessel in the lungs, usually due to a blood clot which blocks a coronary artery.

However, a blood clot may occur in the large vein in the thighs and the lower lungs during long travelling and when for any reason such clot breaks loose. It may travel to any part of the body such as the brain, lungs or heart. Wherever the clot hits, it will block off oxygen from circulating. If it is the brain, it will lead to cerebral ischemic whereby the brain cells die very quickly and could lead to stroke. Where clinical intervention is not rapid, death follows.

When such blood hits the lungs, it’s starved of oxygen and of course death within a short while. The syndrome is peculiar to elder people but can hit younger people too.

The deceased, who just returned from the United States of America that Thursday, February 14, 2013 from the Grammy Awards was very much lively upon her return. She decided to have a shower and started feeling uneasy.

She even spoke with her dad before she slumped and died. She was rushed to Reddington Hospital, Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Her body was deposited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) morgue, shortly after she was pronounced dead.

Goldie was buried at The Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, February 25, 2013. Family members, colleagues, friends and acquaintances gathered as the late singer was laid to rest. In attendance were her best friend, Denrele Edun, eLDee, Kenny and ID Ogungbe, Capital F.E.M.I, Jaywon, Tiwa Savage, Dele Momodu, Gbenga Adeyinka and many others.

Emotions ran high as Goldie’s casket was lifted to her final resting place. The casket ferried by the M.I.C pall bearers led the procession as other mourners followed the late singer to her final resting place.

At the grave side, Denrele Edun wept uncontrollably. He appeared still in shock as he was assisted by a friend to the burial site. Andrew Harvey, Susan’s husband also could not hold back his tears as he bade farewell to his wife.

Goldie Susan Harvey was a terrific entertainer who passionately strove for years to actualize her dreams not minding criticisms. She grew up in a family that made sure her life revolved around church activities. Against all odds and wishes of her strict father, she found herself gravitating towards secular entertainment. She made a mark in the Nigerian music industry with the encouragement of Cool FM’s Manny, as she launched a music career in less than five years.

She exuded a personality that sometimes floated between audacity and extraordinary creativity, factors that endeared many to her. Her bold and colourful videos, exuberant personality and animated performances were just a few of the unique traits that propelled her to the apex of her career and cemented her position as a true pop diva.

On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, her family auctioned part of Goldie’s personal effects. The auction was held at her residence, Ologunkutere Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, as friends, fans and admirers came in to buy various items with many hoping to keep them as souvenirs.

Her costumes were given to the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Lagos, Akoka and some of her books were given to the Technology Department of the Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos.

A month after her death, her husband, Andrew Harvey, was said to have moved on. On August 3, 2013, Andrew Harvey, celebrated his birthday at the pavilion, Kuala Lampur. He later posted pictures on the internet of him kissing a lady who was shown wearing a ring on her left hand, prompting rumours he’s remarrying.

 

– DOLAPO AMODENI

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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