Legendary Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu has also condemned the lavish burial held for the late mother of billionaire businessman, Obi Cubana.

According to the 69-year-old script interpreter, it was insensitive of the businessman to display such affluence; especially at this moment when most Nigerians are wallowing in lack and poverty. She also added that her mother wanted an elaborate burial before her death. She went on to point out that she fulfilled the promise to her mother; even though the burial was not on the same scale as Obi Cubana’s mother.

She said: “I told a friend just days before the most outrageous burial of Innyom Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu in Oba, Anambra State in July that I had given my family instructions on how to bury me when my time comes. Do it quickly, quietly and privately. Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Mourn, yes, but not excessively. Make merriment and then go about your business. If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive, so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me Onyeka Onwenu.

“My mother, on the other hand, wanted a different burial and I promised to give her want she wanted. On her hospital bed, just three days before she passed away, I reinforced that promise – it was important to her and she died knowing that I would keep my word. Hope Onwenu’s burial was nothing like what took place in Oba recently but it was elaborate and pretty expensive. Still I had the satisfaction that I kept my promise.

“The point I make here is that there are different strokes for different folks, even within a family. I do not condemn anyone for how they mourn, with their hard-earned money but I am very uncomfortable with lavish display of wealth on any occasion, especially in a time of hardship and lack for most others.