By Tony Ogaga
Entrepreneur, linguist, academic and musician aptly describes new gospel act, Ibekwe Bigger Jonathan aka Ibekwe Bigger who launched his debut album last week Saturday at Park Lane Hotel, Ajao Estate, Lagos. Ibekwe in not your-every day-run-off-the mill-musician. He has three degrees, speaks a number of languages and is also a multi instrumentalist and singer.
The event, which kicked off at 12 noon had in attendance guest from all walks of life who came to celebrate with the musician and were treated to numbers from the album by Ibekwe and his band.
Personalities that graced the event included Nnamdi Okonkwo, MD Fidelity Bank, Christopher Ude of Christo Ventures, Emma Ohaka, Humphrey Obiakalusi and Pastor Eresimadu among a host of others.
Commenting on what inspired the album, the musician said: “The album is my debut album and it is entitled Rapture. It is all about winning souls for Christ. I am talking about the souls that are lost. My style of music is gospel traditional. I am so excited about the response and love I have been getting from my fans. Rapture was released with a desire to spread the gospel and win souls for Christ.”
Ibekwe Bigger says that most of the time, his inspiration comes when he is praying: “This album is entitled Rapture because it is about the apocalypse and the second coming of Christ. Only the righteous and sanctified will meet Christ in the clouds. I am targeting lost souls with this album. I get most of my inspiration when I am praying.”
According to Ibekwe Bigger, he has been into music for as long as he can remember: “I have been into music all my life. I inherited it from my mum. I have written songs that have made waves in the past. Music runs in my family and my mum is a great singer. She has been a great source of inspiration.”
Why did it take so long to release his album? “It did not take long. It is happening now because this is the time God has appointed,” he says philosophically.
Recounting his journey into the world of music he continues: “I started with secular music but God’s hand fell on me and I switched to gospel music. It was a calling that I could not resist and so I had no choice but to answer and here I am today.”
What were the challenges he faced along the way? A smile creases his features as he responds: “The challenge was that I am very busy so it took a lot of time generally going to the studio and writing all the songs and recording them. I work as a Chinese language interpreter. I studied Chinese language and culture in Taiwan. Besides I travel a lot. I could be in Lagos today and the next I am in Kano and before you know it I am in Maiduguri. That is the nature of my job.”
Most of the songs in the album are in Igbo language. Was it deliberate? “You are right,” Ibekwe Bigger responds, “In fact, 60 per cent of the songs are in Igbo because I believe that charity begins at home. The idea is that let me first speak to my Igbo brothers and sisters and then from there we will take the message to the next level.”
Has he shot any videos yet? “Yes, we are currently working on that. We plan to start shooting videos very soon.”
Tracks in the album include Rapture, Kamzoro, Uwa Awala and children songs which include Yes Daddy, Birthday and Merry Xmas.
Techno, Victoria Kimani set to light up Calabar as Miss Africa beauty pageant berths
The fight to create awareness about climate change just got a major boost as the Senator Ben Ayade led Cross Rivers State government is poised to raise the bar as it has unveiled plans for the maiden edition of Miss Africa beauty pageant themed: Green Economy: Tool For Sustainable Development.
The pageant which holds in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital at the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC) on November 26 will feature 30 ladies between the age bracket of 18 and 25 representing 40 African countries and will have the likes of Techno, Victoria Kimani, Yemi Sax, Dija and Big Daddy entertaining guests. Celebrity fashion designers, Deola Sageo and David Twale among a host of others will also grace the event which will be hosted by IK Osakioduwa and Juliet Ibrahim,
Addressing newsmen, Senior Special Assistant on Events & Tourism, Thomas Ikpeme to the Cross Rivers State governor said: “Climate change is re-shaping human civilization as we know it. The response from global communities will determine the future of the human race. Climate change affects everyone. Our actions and support can make a difference. It is this resolve and conviction that gave birth to the Miss Africa 2016 beauty pageant.”
Among others, the winner of the pageant will be the African ambassador on climate change and create awareness in the global fight against climate change.
Meanwhile, during a press conference in South Africa to unveil the pageant, the head of the Mandela family, Ndaba Mandela said he was elated with the collaboration as Africans needs to share their stories and use them to inspire young people.
It was revealed that the contestants will be arriving Nigeria on November 16 and will be camped for 12 days before the event proper thus setting the stage for the annual Calabar Carnival.
Kids thrill at KSDT Episode 8
Kids were at it again during the eighth episode of the Etisalat-sponsored popular family TV show, Kids Say the Darndest Things, when they demonstrated how knowledgeable they are as they entertained viewers with their hilarious responses to various questions, with major focus on acting and cooking.
The kids were in their element offering views on issues like how to start and sustain a career in acting as well as tips on what it takes to make a meal.
Eight-year-old child-actor, Amarah, started off by telling show host, Tony Okungbowa that a good actor must be real when assuming a role in acting.
It was food matter on the second segment of the show as Tony tested the trio of six year-old Boluwaje, seven year-old Delight and six year-old Durotimi on their knowledge of food and cooking.
In what looked like a ‘return match’, the trio also took their host to task when they asked him personal questions about his wife and children.
Viewers can enjoy more exciting moments of another KSDT episode on NTA Network, STV and Africa Magic Family Channel 154 on DSTV among others.
