I am gradually getting back to my normal daily routine here after a hectic two-week visit to Nigeria. To say that my schedule there was hectic would be an understatement. Once I arrived Lagos, I took the first flight the following morning to Owerri in order to attend my niece’s wedding. I was elated that I did that since no one was expecting me there.
The following day, I had to rush to attend a traditional wedding I made a commitment to when I was in the United States. Subsequently, we travelled to Ikwuano, Umuahia for the traditional wedding rites for my second son.
On January 1, 2017, we had an intense family meeting, a continuation of a meeting earlier, which yielded significant progress in many aspects. Thanks to the leader of the family, Chief Emeka Orabuchi, who stood on the shoulders of our late father, Engr Michael Orabuchi, to redirect all of us for a better tomorrow. Besides this seminal meeting, I attended several other meetings such as the kindred, the village, the EZE Cabinet meeting and others. In any case, with my busy schedule, I had a rare opportunity to meet with two upcoming musicians with distinct and unique modulated, but fruity vocals. The lyrical timbre of the songs of these two musicians are superb in my own opinion.
Their lyrics are characterized with broken promises, hardship, and the resiliency inherent in the people of Nigeria. Even during festive period, one could not escape seeing the scars of hardship indelibly present on the faces of some people.
The songs of these individuals seem to tell the rest of the story. First was Francis Itopa John, better known by his stage name, Frankiss. Frankiss is a Nigerian singer-song writer and entertainer from Kogi Central of Kogi State. He graduated from Kogi State University.
Frankiss had a new song, Sumomi (Come Close to Me) inspired by a true story, which is about reunion of a broken relationship. The song is gradually making waves and is currently being played on Radio Continental of TVC and Raypower Radio Station.
I also had an encounter with Emma Akubudike, a promising musician with unique voice and musical arrangement. He is a writer and composer and an ultimate professional in the field. His two latest songs, Ochasi Family and Ezimba Ogberuru were moving. Akubudike said this of himself: “I am Emmanuel Azukaego Akubudike from Umunnam of Ezimba ogberuru in Orlu LGA; I am a graduate of UNILAG in Russian language.
Eddy Okonta (the obi of trumpet) of the blessed memory was my uncle and musical mentor.” Also, Emma Akubudike shared, “My two major songs are; potorime and uwa dika efere nkuwa came after graduating from UNILAG and l had some terrible traumatic experiences and in the midst of them, l got a job in NEPA which enabled me solve my problems.”
That too enabled me to extend help to others the little way l could,” he said. “That inspired me to sing ‘potorime’ meaning (Merriment); the inspiration of the later, which denoted ‘caution’ came after l was disengaged from service via privatization,” Akubudike expressed.
My hectic short visit was significantly made light by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who made available a transformer for me to donate to my community. Here are some of the excerpts of my speech during the presentation on January 2, 2017.
With the assistance of my good and trusted friend, the Deputy President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, I humbly donate/present this transformer to my beloved community, Ezimba-Ogberuru. I told you last year during my confernment that I must continue to use every opportunity I have for the betterment of my community in particular and humanity in general.
In consonance with my philosophy and ideals, I strongly believed that development unites a community in a remarkable way; power or electricity is a necessary condition for development. Thus, I worked assiduously to ensure that my community is equipped with transformers so that adequate power will be supplied to businesses and residential homes. This is why today’s donation is significant.