Nigerian artist Goldie Harvey is dead

PHOTO | COURTESY Goldie from Nigeria and Prezzo from Kenya.

Nigerian popular singer and former Big Brother Africa Housemate Goldie Harvey is dead.

Goldie, born Susan Filani, died on Thursday night at Reddington Hospital, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Daily Times newspaper, the singer died shortly after arriving in Nigeria from the US where she attended the Grammy Awards.

"With a deep sense of loss, we announce the shocking death of our darling music star, Goldie Harvey," said a statement from the CEO of her record label, Kennis Music, Kenny Ogungbe.

"Goldie, 31, died on Thursday after she complained of a severe headache shortly after her arrival from the United States where she went to witness the Grammy Awards. She was rushed from her Park View, Ikoyi, Lagos residence to her official hospital, Reddington, Victoria Island, Lagos, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival at exactly 7:30pm in the evening," the statement posted on Facebook said.

"We consider this period a gloomy moment for us and the entire Nigerian music industry in view of the circumstance in which she passed away; the abundance of talent she exhibited in her short but eventful music career and the various opportunities her trip to the United States of America would have availed her.

"She is survived by her father, step- mother, brothers and sisters. We deeply sympathise with her family and fans all over the world and very grateful to all and sundry, especially, the vibrant Nigerian media for their concern and prompt reportage. We shall keep everybody informed as events unfold as we are devastated by the sudden loss.”

Goldie was a housemate on Big Brother Africa in 2012 where she met Kenyan musician Prezzo with whom she had an on-again off-again relationship.

On Tuesday night, Prezzo was at the recording of Churchill Show at the Carnivore Simba Saloon, where he talked about his relationship with Goldie.

He said their relationship was at an advanced stage and he was preparing to pay dowry and make wedding arrangements. The interview will be aired on Sunday evening on NTV.

Prezzo left on Thursday for Lagos, Nigeria. According to sources close to Prezzo, he was headed to Nigeria to shoot a reality TV show with Goldie and he was stay there for a month.