When it comes to Nigerian music; there are people who have left indelible mark that will stay for eternity. There are people that without mentioning their names the Nigerian music industry will not be complete; among such people are Christy Essien-Igbokwe. Christy is affectionately and honourarily known as “Nigeria’s Lady of Songs.” Her hit track is Seun Rere; this song is actually one of my favorite songs and the only song of her that I know. Although she has other songs like Tete Nu Na Ula, Ife, Hear the Call and Give Me a Chance. But this one is her hit track—a song that made waves all over Nigeria and beyond.
Christy Essien Igbokwe: Wikipedia page picture
Growing up, they always play Seun Rere on the radio. The song was sung in Yoruba language; thank God my mom understands Yoruba very fluently; I literally fell in love with the song Seun Rere each time I hear it play on the radio so I asked my mom what Christy was saying in the song and she told me the interpretations (side note: my mom was born and raised in Western Nigeria: the part of Nigeria where the Yoruba tribe are mostly and densely located). The word itself “Seun Rere” means Thank Goodness or Thank God.
The theme of the song Seun Rere talks about being obedient to our parents. I will share the lyrics of the song with you (the Yoruba lyrics and the English translation). I was actually playing the song on my headphone at the time of typing this article. A very beautiful song I tell you! Let me also tell you that whatever gave Christy the inspiration to write that song must be commendable! Here is the lyrics of the song (in Yoruba and English)
Biography
Her complete name is Christy Uduak Essien-Igbokwe. She was born on 11 November 1960. Christy was a musician and actress born in Okat, Onna, Akwa Ibom State. Her mother died when she was 12; she then lived in Aba, Abia, with a friend of her mother, who encouraged her singing career and bought her a second-hand cassette player to record her songs. She sang in Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Hausa, Yoruba, and English. Her native language is Ibibio.
Career
Christy began her musical career in secondary school, singing at clubs such as Unikoko in Aba. She appeared as a regular on the NTA Aba variety shows Now Sound and Ukaonu’s Club. In 1976, she joined the cast of The New Masquerade as Akpenor, the wife of the cantankerous character Jegede Sokoya (Claude Eke). She released her debut album (Freedom) the following year. Essien most successful album was the 1981 Ever Liked My Person? (produced by Lemmy Jackson).
In her later years, she performed with her second son, Chinwuba Kenechukwu Kaka, at the January 2009 Inspire Africa benefit concert and participated in the MTN Musical Festival later that year. Chinwuba Kenechukwu Kaka is a hip-hop artist and producer and the father of her granddaughter Christiana Chizaramekpeleamaka Ijeoma. Essien’s album, Ever Liked My Person? was certified platinum in Nigeria. A biography titled “The will of God” was produced and sponsored by Exxon Mobil in the 90s to show her life and career so far at the time. Her granddaughter has remixed the song, Seun Rere.
Christy has won several awards amongst which are: Silver Prize Winner at 6th Seoul Songs Festival, South Korea–1983, Grand Prix Winner at Neewollah Music Festival at Independence, Kansas, US–1983, International Special Achievement” Award of MUSEXPO, Acapulco, Mexico, 1983 Certificate of Merit Award for Song writing and composing at the 10th Annual American and a host of others.
I am an Emissary of Light and an intrepid adventurer. A growth enthusiast and a quintessential person who is very passionate about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, inclusivity, equity, holistic living, mental health, diversity, altruism, sacred activism, service to humanity, gastronomy and compassion. I volunteer with organizations that are focused on youth, education/cultural exchange and climate change awareness. I currently volunteer with Stride Quintessential Youth Initiative (www.weartqp.org) an organization focused on raising the next generation change makers and quintessential African youths. I also volunteer as an English teacher with a Ukrainian organization ENGin Program; an organization promoting education, cultural exchange, peace, respect and compassion (https://www.enginprogram.org/). On my creative aspect I am a heart-based, talented, outstanding, prolific writer. I have published 8 books and currently working on my 9th book. I published several articles in a UK magazine, Canadian and American blog. As a creative person, I am also passionate about media and ICT. I am a graduate of Political Science/Social Studies from College of Education, Agbor Delta State in Nigeria. I did a diploma program on Agricultural Supply Chain Management from Acacia University, Arizona United States (through Athena Global Education) and another diploma program on Business Administration (through Athena Global Education).
Writing has always been a natural way of life for me. I also love meeting like-minded people, spending time in Nature. I am a promoter of anything which promotes Positive Vibes and Positive Energies. Anything that sets the tone for a Positive Life Momentum is my Hobby. I also believe in Compassion. Before I began my journey into Spiritual Awakening and Spirituality; I was a former baptized, zealous and dedicated Jehovah’s Witness. Somewhere deep down in my heart and subconscious mind I had this inner-knowing and feeling that religion is NOT the answer. At least I have the understanding that there is more than meet the eyes…it was not easy to leave a religion that claims to be better than every other ones; but with my determination to embrace my Higher Self, my Magical Divine Self—I summoned up courage and left Jehovah’s Witness in 2013. I could not have made a better choice! The effort and determination was worth it. You can read more about my journey of how I left religion and Jehovah’s Witness.
I am determined to use my blog to raise the Consciousness of Humanity to a Higher Dimension. I believes that I can use my writings to inspire, heal, empower, liberate, teach and enlighten Humanity into embracing Higher Consciousness. My vision is for a society where truth, justice, love, compassion and unity dwells. He strongly believes that people should be treated fairly and equally no matter their skin colour, gender, culture and sexual orientation. As one who is on the path of Personal Development, New Thought, Spirituality, Enlightenment and Inspiration; Kingsley believes that he can use his writings to inspire, heal, empower, liberate, teach and enlighten Humanity into embracing Higher Consciousness. I believe in compassion; compassion for one’s self and compassion for others as epitomized by Guan Yin the Goddess of Compassion. Eastern Spirituality and Spirituality in its entirety have always appealed to me. I follow the teachings and wisdom of Guan Yin, Buddha, Jesus Christs, His Holiness (the 14th Dalai Lama), Lazaris, Galexis, Sirian High Council and the Angelic Beings who works in the Greater Realms of Light and Love.
Other personalities that have been very influential to me are: Master Sri Akarshana, Sadhguru, Shelley Rogers Johnson (AKA Good Witch), Mooji, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Mother Theresa, Robert Kiyosaki, Morihei Ueshiba, Sarah Prout, Ikkyu, Oprah Winfrey, Buddha, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Florence Scovel Shinn, Norman Vincent Peale, Tony Robbins, Marianne Williamson, Eckhart Tolle, Max Erhman, Debbianne DeRose, Nathalie Thompson, Jeannette Maw, Erin Dragonsong, Melody Fletcher, Andy Dooley, Mike Dooley, Bob Marley, Anais Nin, Albert Einstein, Tess Whitehurst, Katherine Hurst, George King, Whitney Houston, Brenda Fassie, Nelson Mandela, Mary McKee, Guru Nanak, Dildar Virk, Enya, Mariah Carey, Jam Aiwuyor, Cynthia Morgan and Anja Ringgren Loven. I have been featured twice in an award-winning TV Station in Abuja where I talked about the issues affecting Nigeria and Africa I was also featured in an American blog where I shared my opinion about the Black Lives Matter. I am of the thought that we create our own reality and we can change the Narrative of our Reality and Lives. So feel free to surf my blog. Let’s labrish!
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Kingsley Osajie 