Chief (Mrs.) Christy Essien–Igbokwe (MFR), one of Nigeria’s finest and foremost female pop vocalists. Nigeria’s Lady of Songs as she is popularly called passed on at the age of 50. Peculiar Magazine takes you through the life and times of this musician.
Born on November 18, 1960, this popular singer and actress was the Chairman and Managing Director of Soul Train entertainment limited.
Although she is not Yoruba, most of her hits were sung in the western Nigerian language, and drew heavily on the culture and tradition. Her fluency in Yoruba, English, Igbo and her native Ibibio earned her an appeal which cut across tribal lines.
She began her music career in Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Aba on a programme called Now Sound. During that time, New Masquerade was also airing on NTA, Aba . Christy began her musical career in secondary school, singing at various clubs in Aba in today’s Abia State such as Uka Onu’s Club and Unikoko.
Her most successful album till date is her 1981 album “Ever liked my person?” produced by Lemmy Jackson. The album featured her most popular song “Seun rere.”
Christy Uduak Essien Igbowkwe will be fondly remembered for some of her contribution to the music industry and the society at large. She is credited to have:
- Put Nigeria’s name on the world music map with her evergreed track- “Seun rere”
- Initiated the first meeting that brought about the formation of Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in 1981. A year later, PMAN was officially launched with her serving as the first National Treasurer.
- Became the first PMAN female President between 1996- 1999
- Always at the forefront of issues affecting women and children, she played remarkable role featuring in some of the early Nollywood flicks such as scars of womanhood and Flesh & Blood- both of which address issues of child abuse and female circumcision.
- Founding member of the performing and Mechanical Rights Society (PMRS).
- Chairman and M.D. of Soul Train entertainment limited
- Contributed to nation building through the theme of her songs- peace, moral uprightness etc.
- Fought relentless battle against attempt to include the Federal Road Safety Corps into Police Force.
- Her relentless campaign led to creation of Akwa-Ibom State and the cancellation of the on shore-off shore oil dichotomy during Obasanjo’s regime.
- Composed a sort of state anthem for Akwa-Ibom “Akwa Ibom mini” (my Akwa Ibom)
- Philanthropist who deployed the royalty of her music work to charity.
Some of her awards include:
- As the grand dame of Nigeria Pop music, she was popularly called “First Lady of Songs”
- Received Africa Music Mother Award- 1984
- International Special Achievement Award- 1983 (World Song Festival award, Los Angeles)
- Outstanding achievement in female uplifting- Lagos 1996 Association of Theatre arts practitioners.
Albums
- Freedom 1977
- Patience 1978
- Time waits for no one 1978
- One understanding 1979
- Give me a chance 1980
- Ever liked my person 1981
- Taking my time 1986
- It’s time 1988
- Hear the call 1990
- Mysteries of Life 1994
In the very words of the Anambra State Governor, “We have lost a cultural Ambassador.”
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola was at the Ikeja, Lagos home of the late Lady of Songs Christy Essien -Igbokwe where he paid glowing tribute to the fallen actress and musician. His words:
“Her death was like a thunderbolt for me. I’ve not been able to come into town. Nobody could think of death in our world and think it’d be Christy Essien. The news just came like a bolt out of the blues. Christy was someone we all seem to know with her songs-she was in our homes, our cars, our bags and in our lives. But suddenly, she’s no more. To say we’ll miss her is an understatement and I can only imagine how the family would cope”
Super star musician, Professor Victor Uwaifo in his tribute to the late Lady of Songs said news of her death came to him as a rude shock.
“She was an actress of very remarkable achievement who dominated the ‘tube’ with her star role as ‘Apeno’ in the 70’s and 80’s Masqurade set. From acting to music, she contributed to the growth and management of the music industry in Nigeria especially at a time when the industry was entirely dominated by men.
She also blazed the trail as the first woman President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). She will be fondly remembered by all lovers of music and entertainment in Nigeria and beyond. Definitely, she has left her footprints in the sands of time”.
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