Farewell Christy Essien-Igbokwe

Christy Essien-Igbokwe (1960-2011)

 The Nigerian music and entertainment circle will miss Chief Christy Uduak Essien-Igbokwe a renowned female musician and actress as she left a huge vacuum in the Nigerian movie/music family, the entertainment industry and to thousands of her fans within and outside the country. Chief Christy Essien-Igbokwe a family woman (Born November 11, 1960), famously addressed by her fans as the Lady of Songs appeared in the nation’s limelight when she acted the role of Apena as a cantankerous Yoruba housewife in the eminent television drama series of the late 70’s and early 80’s, ‘The New Masquerade’, which featured other popular TV characters such as Chief Zebrudaya, Jegede, Nati, Ovularia, Clarus and Giringory, amongst others. Christy as a trailblazer made unforgettable contributions to artistic development in Nigeria.

Chief Zebrudaya and  Clarus of The New Masquerade

The late Actress and singer later dived into music and proved beyond all reasonable doubt with her musical accomplishments that a female musician can, indeed, be a respected member of the society. Essien-Igbokwe was one of the Nigerian’s earliest female musicians like the Onyeka Owenu .  Among her numerous albums include Freedom(1976), Patience (1977), Time waits for No One (1978), One Understanding(1979), Give Me a Chance (1980), Ever Liked My Person (1981), Taking My Time (1988), Hear the Call (1990) and Mysteries of Life (1994). Essien-Igbokwe’s hit songs include Teta Nu N’Ula,  Omo Mi Seun Rere and Hear the Call. Her responsible lifestyle gave early Nigerian female artistes courage and vigour to perform well in their film and music careers thus giving the Nigerian women the utmost dignity they desire. Perhaps, Essien-Igbokwe’s landmark achievement saw to the birth of enrolling Nigerian female artistes into Nigerian film industry which gradually blossomed into Nollywood as one of the world biggest film industry having fashioned from Bollywood and Hollywood of India and the United States of America respectively. Among her featuring in the early Nollywood are ‘Sacred of Womanhood’ and ‘Flesh and Blood’.

Christy as traditional titles holder

 

Essien-Igbokwe  of Okat, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State attended Ladi-Lak School, Lagos, 1966- 1970; Okat Primary School, Okat, Akwa Ibom State, 1970-1972; Zonal Commercial Centre, Aba, 1972-1974; Aba Girls’ High School, 1974-76. She held the traditional titles of Aha Nwanyi Ejiagamba 1 of Oru, Ahiazu Imo state and Adiaha Onna of Akwa Ibom state.

Until her death the music icon received the national honour, Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 1988; Nigeria’s Lady of Songs, 1980; Silver Prize Winner, 6th Seoul Song Festival, South Korea, 1983; Grand Prix Winner, Neewollah Music Festival, Kansas, USA, 1983; International Special Achievement Award, Musexpo, Acapulco, Mexico, 1983; Certificate of Merit Award, 10th Annual American Song Festival, Los Angeles, USA, 1983; to mention but a few.

Christy as President PMAN

Christy was the founder of a child-friendly Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). She was a one-time founding member and president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria and Performing Mechanical Rights Society of Nigeria.

Christy Essien-Igbokwe who passed on at 50 has engraved her name in gold in the records of Nigeria’s entertainment industry. She was indeed a real music icon; a gem worthy of emulation by upcoming artistes. Farewell Lady of Songs.