According to some media reports, Grey died at the age of 70, on April 10, at his home in Warri, after battling with prostate cancer and diabetes for several months.

He was discharged from the hospital, after his family could not raise the N10 million needed for his treatment abroad.

Okoroji in a statement signed by COSON Head of Corporate Affairs, Chibueze Okereke in Abuja, described the death of the Delta State-born singer as shocking, and a big loss to the entertainment industry, especially the high-life music lovers.

“Tony Grey will be terribly missed by those who knew him.

“He was not just a staunch COSON member; he was a personal friend who gave me 100 per cent support.

“Even though, I knew that he was ill, it is still devastating to hear that he is no more.

“He was a master of the big -live band, and his Ozimba band was one of the biggest in the country.

“He loved the music profession and spent an entire life time practicing the art he loved, ‘’he said.

Okoroji, however, stressed that solace should be drawn from the fact that the late Grey left indelible foot prints on the sands of time as a passionate professional singer.

He therefore prayed God to grant his family strength to bear the irreparable loss.

The ‘Ozimba of Africa’,as he was popularly known by fans, was everyone’s delight in the 70s and 80s.

He became famous as a high-life singer for his evergreen songs entitled: “She is My love’, ‘My Message’ “Tribute to late Marvin Gay” and ‘Come Back Love’.

He hailed from Aboh town in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.(NAN)