If you ask anyone, they’d tell you Deola Osinuga, popularly known as Phoenix, had one of the finest voices on Nigerian radio. Avid radio listeners will remember her morning show because she always brought enough energy to last the whole day.
Deola Osinuga was that friend who would always listen and a relentless chocolate enthusiast. Her love for all things sweet was always evident in her posts on social media. One day she posted a picture of herself with a huge heart-shaped lollipop with the caption, “I’ve had this lollipop for days cos I couldn’t figure out where to start. But I shall conquer it today.”
You could always find one food picture or the other on her page. She and puff puff had a special relationship. Her happiness was so contagious, she would have you laughing at the smallest thing. For many who listened to her while commuting to work, they can testify that hearing Phoenix automatically made the day 10 times better.
Imagine playing a song on the radio, without knowing the singer would be your future husband. Well, that’s what happened to Phoenix. Deola Oshinuga was working as an OAP at Rhythm FM when she met her husband, Muyiwa Osinuga, better known as Nomoreloss.
If you know nothing about Nomoreloss, you only need to remember the song ‘Iyawo Asiko’. Nomoreloss started out as a rapper before switching to stand-up comedy and then singing. He became famous following his remix of Orlando Owoh’s 80s hit, ‘Iyawo Olele’ which he titled ‘Iyawo Asiko’.
The two got married in 2008 and welcomed their daughter in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, January 15, 2011. An excited Nomoreloss told Netng then, “My wife gave birth to a baby girl earlier today and she’s right back at home, but I won’t disclose the name of the hospital”. The couple was beside themselves with joy.
Phoenix had a grown child from a previous relationship before she married Nomoreloss, but was just as excited when she announced the birth of her daughter on her Twitter page.
Unfortunately, the bliss didn’t last forever as five years later, Phoenix’s husband, Nomoreloss, was diagnosed with Typhoid Fever. He was hospitalized for a while but was soon discharged. Sadly, he never recovered.
On Tuesday, March 21, 2016, Nomoreloss was rushed to the hospital after a relapse. He died that day. Phoenix took it really hard and tried to put up a strong front. Many friends and family attended the burial ceremony to uplift her. Artists like Nikki Laoye, Ruggedman, Weird MC also came to give her their support.
Barely a year after her husband passed away, Phoenix was down with a chronic disease. The OAP had been suffering in daily silence with the painful syndrome called fibromyalgia – a rheumatic condition characterized by muscular or musculoskeletal pain with stiffness and localized tenderness at specific points on the body.
Despite her illness, Phoenix still tried to keep up a happy appearance. When she spoke with The Netng, she joked about being able to open her own pharmacy and buying chocolate. “(Sigh) when I think about the number of chocolates I could buy with this money instead of buying medicine.”
The radio station she worked at, Rhythm FM, tried to raise money for her, and many fans as well joined in on the campaign to help her. She soon disappeared from the radio scene, trying to recover, and many prayed that she would be back to her full strength so she could do what she loved again – talking on the radio.
Sadly, it wouldn’t be so. After a long battle with Fibromyalgia, Deola Phoenix Osinuga passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2020. Rhythm FM released an official statement on her death saying,
“We are tremendously saddened by your loss, your legacy will continually live through us all. Rest in Peace Phoenix, we will miss you. Out thoughts of comfort and condolences to the grieving family”
Friends and fans alike took to social media to eulogise Phoenix and remember the good times. Singer Nikki Laoye, who was a good friend and also sang at Nomoreloss’s burial wrote,
“I cried for hours yesterday when I was told by my dear sister Phoenix, an on-air personality at Rhythm FM and wife to my brother #Nomoreloss. You supported my musical career from the very beginning, I can’t thank you enough for all you did for me and I know we all tried to be there for you during these times while you were dealing with fibromyalgia. He stayed positive and happy, you fought so hard but God loves you more. Rest on my sister, God’s love and peace surround your children and your family at this time and always in Jesus name, Amen.”
Country Manager, MTV Shuga Nigeria, Aniya Aiyudu who was also a close friend wrote,
“You meet people who forget you… You forget people you meet… But sometimes you meet people you can’t forget. Time is all we have on this earth and I’m thankful for the time I got to spend with you. Goodbye Phoenix! #RestOn”
Anita Ifeoma Hughes, a radio presenter who also worked with Phoenix posted a picture of her with the caption “🖤” to commiserate her passing.
Digital Communications Expert, Funbi wrote “I still don’t have the words. Sleep well Phoenix. ❤️❤️❤️”
Media consultant, Olarenwaju ‘Elbama’ Onipede Jr, who worked closely with Phoenix and was also a dear friend wrote,
“I kept dreading this day would come. I kept having visions about it, so I don’t know why I broke down when I got the call today that you had gone. We started work on the same day at Rhythm FM in 2017. The sister I never had, Onome, IK, Victoria and I watched over you like you were our baby lol. You were so fragile and mischievous. You were the only one that could really understand me because we both alike in a lot of ways. We hated and liked the same things. We turned up together in this life sha, even at one point, Muyiwa concluded that nothing could separate us. Remember when we would make so many copies of M.I’s ‘Safe’ track and take them to various clubs and bars just because we wanted to see how it would blow up??? Gosh, Adeola, you went through so, so much, it’s like you came to this world to suffer. From the physical and mental abuses, the pregnancy losses, the loss of your stepdad and husband, the ailment. Even in your state of health at the last stage, when I lost my dad you used all your energy to call me. I knew how painful it was for you to compose yourself and not sound so slurry but et you reached out. The last time I saw you and your picture, afterwards I knew it was almost time. I never asked for this gift of premonition and I don’t want it anymore. I’m sorry you had to go through hell to get to heaven. You didn’t deserve what life brought to you. First, it was Zara, then Dagrin, then Midas, then Tosyn, then my dad and now you. Who will watch over me and be my ride or die G now? I love you and I will miss you. Bye @phoenixicus 💔💔”
TV Presenter, Victoria Pepple wrote,
“There could have been an epistle babe but this year is so tough and I am maxed out. Here’s to the laughs, the tears and everything in between. Here’s to the good times and the bad, the highs and the lows and the beautiful story that you are. You left so much behind and we will try in holding it down for you here. Still processing this horrible news and it’s really hard. Babe RIP. #phoneixusliveson”
Former Rhythm FM presenter Onome ‘Big Tyme’ Oyaide wrote “God help us all” when he saw the news of her passing.
MTV Base VJ, Ehiz wrote on his Twitter page “RIP Phoenix”
Actor, Waliu Fagbemi wrote “RIP Phoenix Osinuga. May God look after the little angel you and Nomoreloss left behind.”
She joins a long list of Nigerian talents that we’ve lost too early, including Kefee, Zara, Goldie, Tosyn Bucknor, Dagrin, Mida, Muna Obikwe, Eric Arubayo and many others. Their deaths, mostly avoidable, have raised more awareness about the poor state of the healthcare system in Nigeria and many industry watchers are asking for better compensation for broadcasters and entertainers. They have repeatedly asked the government to improve the standard of the existing healthcare system in Nigeria.
Though Deola will be missed by many, her legacy of joy will never be forgotten. Rest well Deola ‘Phoenix’ Osinuga.