Christy Essien-Igbokwe

Biography

Christiana Uduak Essien-Igbokwe, MFR (11 November 1960 – 30 June 2011) was a Nigerian musician and actress. Dubbed "Nigeria's Lady of Songs," she was known for her the hit tracks "Seun Rere", "Tete Nu Na Ula", "Ife", "Hear the Call×Hear the Call1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Lucky SamuelA2What MattersA3Ije Udo (Igbo)A4Akwa Ibom (Ibibio)A5Isaiah 26B1Afrika Stop the RunB2Nayi Adua Ga Nigeria (Hausa)B3Hear the CallB4Moloro (Yoruba)B5We've Got the Rythm", and "Give Me a Chance×Give Me a Chance1980 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Give Me a Chance3:35A2Rumours4:45A3Nobody Can Stop You5:09A4Ife4:30B1Don't Let Me Down4:20B2Onwu4:10B3Saboteurs4:09B4Ikan Idomo4:15". She was the first female president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the chairperson and managing director of Soul Train Entertainment.
Essien-Igbokwe sang in Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Hausa, Yoruba, and English. Her native language is Ibibio.

Early life

Christy was 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.

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×Freedom1977 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1FreedomA2Feel So Good SometimeA3If I Can Be Free From DarknessA4Mr. Boom Boom BoomB1My Kind of ManB2Unsteady LoveB3I'm No More Your Little FoolB4Let's Face Our Problems) the following year. Essien's most successful album was 1981's Ever Liked My Person?×Ever Liked My Person?1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Ever Liked My Person?A2I Want to Keep Your AppointmentA3Seun Rere (Yoruba)A4Stay Apart for a WhileA5Lonely RoadB1Shooby ShoobyB2Ka Anyi Gba Egwu (Igbo)B3Do You Hear Me Children?B4If You Can Understand MeB5Ku Sin Mi (Efik) (produced by Lemmy Jackson).
Christy is known for her feminist activism, as she appeared in early Nollywood films such as Flesh and Blood (co-starring with Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ameze Imarhiagbe, and Ekpeyong Bassey Inyang; directed by Chico Ejiro) and Scars of Womanhood (co-starring Kate Henshaw, Sam Loco Efe, Justus Esiri, and Francis Duru), both of which addressed child abuse and female circumcision.
Essien initiated the first meeting, which formed the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in 1981. The association was founded a year later, with King Sunny Adé as president, Sonny Okosun as vice-president, and Essien as treasurer. From 1996 to 1999, she was the PMAN's first female president. Essien has appeared in many national and international shows, and she has composed and performed Akwa Ibom State's informal anthem, "Akwa Ibom Mmi (My Akwa Ibom)", in 1987. Christy Essien Igbokwe released 10 albums between 1977 and 1992, with the eleventh still unreleased after her death until 2013.
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 remixes the song "Seun Rere".

Death

Essien-Igbokwe died of gastrointestinal disease on 30 June 2011 at age 50 at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Onyeka Owenu, Bisi Olatilo (Veteran Broadcaster), Soni Irabor, Oritz Wiliki, Remi Tinubu, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Aliko Dangote, and Victor Uwaifo attended her funeral, amongst others. To celebrate the remembrance of the late music icon on 30 June 2020, the granddaughter of Christy Essien Igbokwe, "Christiana Chizaramekpeleamaka Ijeoma" covered "You're Welcome" from Disney's "Moana".

International awards

"Silver Prize" Winner at 6th Seoul Songs Festival, South Korea – 1983
"Grand Prix " Winner at Neewollah Music Festival at Independence, Kansas, U.S. – 1983
"International Special Achievement" Award of MUSEXPO, Acapulco, Mexico, 1983
"Certificate of Merit" Award for Song writing and composing at the 10th Annual American
Songs Festival, Los Angeles, U.S. – 1983
"Audience Favourite" Award of International Music Festival at Baker University, U.S. – 1983
"Silver Prize" Winner at Second International Music Festival of Oklahoma University, U.S. – 1983
"Outstanding Performance" Award at the World Song Festival, L.A. Arts Academy, U.S. – 1984
"Distant Accord" Award at the FIDOF Festival in Hollywood, L.A., U.S. – 1990
Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) Award in Business Management by
Cornerstone University & Theological Seminary, Jerusalem, Israel – 2010
Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) Award in Literature-in-Africa the by University of
Berkley, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. – 2010

National awards

"Lady of Songs" by Nigerian Entertainment Writers – 1980
"Star Performer" Award of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) – 1983
"Best Actress Runner-Up" Award for Excellence by silver Jubilee Committee of the Nigerian Television Organization of Nigeria (NTA) – 1984
"African Music Mother" Award by Music Extravaganza'84 in collaboration with African Music Development, New York, U.S.
"Adaha Onna" (Pillar of Onna LGA)
Akwa Ikwo Eket (The Greatest Singer from Eket Community) by Eket LGA Authority
Aha Nwanyi Ejiagamba 1 of Oru Ahiazu, Mbaise, Imo State
"Golden Voice of Africa" Award by music Students Association, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
"Gold Award" of 25 Nigerian Celebrities – 1988
"Certificate of Honour" by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council – 1990
"Certificate of Recognition" by National Film Festival – 1992
"Service to the Music Profession" Award by PMAN the on platform of NIGERIAN MUSIC AWARD (to Christy Essien Igbokwe/Edwin Igbokwe) for their efforts in forming and creating PMAN – 1988
Special Musical Patents Decoration Award – 1994
"Merit Award for Excellence in the Field of Music Therapy" by Medical Association of Nigeria
"Award of Honour" by Nigeria Institute of Journalism Student's Union, Ibadan Campus
"Certificate of Honour" in recognition of her role as a woman of substance and her excellent performance in musical entertainment by the National Association of Akwa Ibom Students, University of Ibadan chapter.
"Grand Fellow of Nigerian Youths" by the Nigerian Youth Organization
"Queen of Music International" Award by the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, Lagos State, and Degbola International Promotions – 1996
"Outstanding Achievements Uplifting Female" Award by Youth Re-Orientation Movement – 1996
"Merit Award in Honour of Care for the Nigerian Child" by Broadway International School – 2000
"Award of Excellence and Outstanding Leadership Qualities" as PMAN first Female President – 1998
"The Best Dressed Female Musician" Award in the Patriotic Dress category at the Nigeria Fashion Show – 1997
"Member of the Greatest Performers" Award in recognition of her immense contribution to the development and reformation of the world youths – 1996
"Award of Excellence" as Matron of the Great Eni-Njoku Hall (University of Lagos chapter) – 2000
"Pacesetter Award" in recognition of her vision, initiator and organizer of the First ECOWAS Cultural and Musical Festival & the Entertainment Award – 1997
"Lover of Children" Award in recognition of her contribution towards child social and welfare development in society – by legendary Page Boys Club (Socio-Cultural & Humanitarian Club)
"Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by Federal Government of Nigeria – 1999
"Defender of Children" Award by Interclassic Youth Forum (a non-governmental organization)
"Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment Industry" Award by Top Celebrities Magazine – 2010
"Merit Award for African Heritage" by The Gong African News Magazine – 2010
"Honorary Fellowship Award" by Institute of Corporate & Business Affairs Management, Nigeria.
"Nigerian Woman of Valor" Award by National Centre for Women Development, Abuja – 2010.

Extra positions and awards

Matron; Eni-Njoku Hall, University of Lagos
Matron; Akwa Ibom Journalists Forum, Kaduna
Matron; National Association of Akwa Ibom Students, University of Port Harcourt
Matron; Nigerian Youth Tourist Organization
Matron; National Association of Akwa Ibom Students, University of Lagos
Matron; Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology of Nigeria, Lagos
Matron; Worldwide Twins and Multiple Foundation
Deputy Vice President/Vice Chairman, Governing Council of Institute of Corporate and Business Affairs Management, Nigeria.
Entertainment Icon" by West African Women in Leadership Conference (in Ghana) – 2011
"Excellence in Outstanding Performance & Hard Work" by National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS) – University of Lagos Chapter – 2011
NOPA 2012 for outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry
Essien-Igbokwe was known as "Lady of Songs". On 11 November 2018, what would have been her 58th birthday, Google commemorated her life with a doodle.
"Award of Excellence" by Ibom Talent Development Center 11 June 2021