The Man Called Sammy Needle

FAMILY MEMBERS OPEN UP ON HOW SAMMY NEEDLE DIED
"His Death Came So Fast" -Wife Laments
Popular singer Samuel Odeh is dead.The man we all love to address as Sammy Needle gave up the ghost in the early hours of Thursday May 29 2008.
His death reportedly occurred around 8.oo a.m that fateful day.
According to family sources- the immediate cause of his death was Typhoid Fever, an ailment he is said to have a long running battle.
Investigations conducted by First Weekly however revealed a more holistic reason for his demise will be issued this week- after the post motem is done. His remains is at present lying at the Mortuary of the Ikeja, General Hospital.
It was taken to the place after Doctors at Blue Cross Hospital , Ogba Lagos confirmed him ‘brought in dead.’ From all indications- the musicians who had a cult like followership in the night life years back, died in his black Izuzu Rodeo Jeep, on the way to the Hospital.
According to his younger brother Mike ‘ I just got a call from his wife a day before, that he wasn’t feeling too well. It was very late in the night and I told them to take him to the clinic in front of their house. They did, but said he didn’t feel too relieved. And first thing Thursday morning I was there- they where trying to take him to the hospital. And, I took one look at my brother that this wasn’t Sammy. He looked so weak. I moved nearer and touched his heart, it was very faint. I was alarmed. I had to quickly do artificial respiration for him and rushed him into the car and we droved off’
Unfortunately- the effort was in vain. At the time of death- the musicians wife, Murna was reportedly at the back seat with cradling and coaxing him on- and un identified individual lend moral support.
Finding claims that their benefactor was brought in dead at Blue Cross Hospital un acceptable- the rattled family members immediately heeded to Ikeja, General Hospital where there worst fear was confirmed. The chameleon like voiced singer- who could adapt to any tone- blend into any genre of music at will was stone dead.
And, the news raged all over town- within a spate of twenty minutes, the wailing wife was bombarded with so much calls that she had to had to switch off both his phones and hers. Too many people wanted to confirm the startling development.
Insight into developments leading to his death indicate , the late musician fought a prolonged battle.
Insiders disclosed he had been having an on and off brushes with the ailment family sources claimed knocked him off. His last bout with the disease reportedly earned him a stay at Alausa Hospital Lagos- it his yet unclear how long he lasted on the admission list of the hospital. But sources maintained he was discharged in the early days of the week of his death. And, in the words of insiders ‘ he walked home’.
However despite the innumerable tablets and related stuffs given to him to keep the ailment at bay- and ultimately eradicate it from his horizon, the dread locks[the last of his ever changing adopted looks] wearing musician suffered a relapse on Wednesday May 28 2008. And, his condition deteriorated so speedily his wife- and family members at his ‘duplex’ on Oke Ira Ogab Lagos were caught napping.
‘It was so fast….one moment he was……and second moment, the thing came so fast, I don’t understand it at all…his death was so fast’ she soliquised to a handful of mourners who came to comfort her later that fateful day.
Attired in a dashes of ash and white Buba and Sokoto sewn Adire- she was the picture of a devastated widow as she attempted to be strong- and yet kept crumbling each time a face that reminded her of Sammy Needle kept poking in.
As at press time, the widow had been kept away from visitors- except very intimate family members. The enlarged family members are expected to hold a meeting on Saturday Mat 31 2008, to determine the modalities for his burial. The venue of the meeting is yet unclear as at press time.
Investigations revealed that aside the countless Relatives, Brothers and Sisters- as at the time of death, the individual who was planning to release his second album, The Element after a ten year break is survived by his Father and Mother. They have been intimated of the development at their Benin, Edo state base.
They are reported as greatly devastated. As at the time of death, the lovable singer who titled his first Album, Out of Africa was described a ‘ pillar of moral and financial support’ in the family.
His marriage of over 5 years to his former Broadcaster wife, Murna was yet to be blessed with children as at press time. The wife reportedly suffered a miscarriage not too long ago.
At the time of his death, Sammy who was highly popular for the verse ‘ your Needle is wonderful’- from which he derived his name- was making earnest preparation to launch his second album in a big way. He had already pegged a day for Saturday, June 21 2008- which incidentally coincides with his birthday. The pencilled down venue was Expo center- Eko Hotels Adetokunbo Ademola street Victoria Island Lagos.
The media campaign was already on- he had secured the consent of former FCT Minister Jerry Gana as Chief Launcher.
And, according to those in the know- was working in concert with fast rising event management company- FCB Redline towards making the day a resounding success.
Aside the professional side- he was equally quietly putting things in place to secure a blissful old age for himself and his wife.
Sources claimed earlier this year he secured a land mass of un identified quantity in Isheri Area of Ogun State- and, was speedily trying to put up at least a two bedroom apartment in the area , telling close confidants he wouldn’t want to pay another year rent at his present place of abode.
A much loved entertainer- Sammy severally attempted to re launch himself to his wonder days of years past- with rested weekly performances at Ocean View Restaurant and Bar, Sigma Night Club and a host of others. He was on the verge of signing yet another deal with Owners of Black Pearl to begin another weekly gig when death came calling.
A permanent feature of the night life- Sammy Needle will be missed for his uproarious kind of laughter- and his infectious good nature that saw him house the likes of homeless acts- Eddy Remedy for months, and attempts to re establish severally shun Star Actress- Ann Njemanze as a gospel musician on his Musical Label- Sammy Needle Entertainments [ formerly Sammy Needle Rhythmn and Culture]
His last Major performance was at the burial of the father of the Publisher of Thisday Newspaper, Mr Nduka Obaigbena. He just finished shooting and directing the musical video of his latest album himself- on the verge of putting finishing touches to it in preparation for his album launch, when he left without out a goodbye.