Arrangements have been concluded for the burial of late Nigerian reggae icon Rasman Maxwell Udoh of ‘Forward Ever, Backward Never’ fame. Family sources told News Express that his funeral programme would begin with the opening of the mourning house in his Ikot Idaha, Ibiono Ibom community of Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, 2015. There would be a legends concert and celebrities night of songs on Monday, June 29, at same Ikot Idaha Primary School field, Ibiono Ibom LGA.

Interment follows on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, after a funeral service by Christ True Gospel Mission at the same primary school field, Ikot Idaha Ibiono, by 10:00 a.m.

One of Nigeria’s reggae superstars of the ’80s and ’90s, Rasman Maxwell Udoh died at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, after a protracted illness. He was aged 55.

Born on August 29, 1959 in what is now Ikot Idaha, Ibiono Ibom LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Ignatius Maurice Udoh a.k.a. Rasman Maxwell Udoh had a natural inclination towards music. It was therefore not a surprise when he stopped his academic pursuit and went to train as a professional reggae musician under the tutelage of his uncle, Patrick Peter Udoh of The Doves Rock Band, Umuahia, Abia State.

Rasman Maxwell Udoh went solo with the breakup of The Doves and found instant success, with Rasman Maxwell Udoh and Masses Militia Band churning out hits upon hits from their Umuahia base. ‘Forward Ever, Backward Never’ was a massive solo hit that opened his route to greatness, taking his fame far beyond the shores of Nigeria and winning him several musical awards. He waxed nine albums before fizzling out, his other hits including ‘Justice and Freedom’, ‘I Cry for the Masses’, ‘Child Abuse’, ‘My Destiny’, and ‘Daka No Mi’.

The social crusader and entertainment writer is regarded by some as the first African to sing reggae music in its true form. A charismatic personality, Rasman Maxwell Udoh was also a good leader of men and meritoriously led the Abia State Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) for years as chairman.

•Photo, courtesy of connoisseurng.blogspot.com, shows late reggae star Rasman Maxwell Udoh entertaining fans during one of his many shows.