Resurrection in Enugu

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

Music enthusiasts and highlife lovers recently gathered in Enugu, Enugu State, in honour and remembrance of the late music genius, Celestine Ukwu. He passed on in a fatal motor accident on May 7, 1977.
The event featured stage performance of all his songs and lectures drawn around Ukwu’s philosophy, as well as the launch of the Celestine Ukwu Foundation. Some surviving members of his band were also at the event.
Ukwu was born on August 19, 1940, in Enugu. His early musical journey began with the guitar, an instrument that would become his primary tool for crafting the intricate melodies that defined his style.
His tragic death 47 years ago was a significant loss to the Nigerian music scene and the highlife genre, leaving a void that was deeply felt by his fans and fellow musicians.
His rise to prominence was marked by his joining the Paradise Rhythm Orchestra in the 1960s. However, it was his formation of the Celestine Ukwu and His Philosophers National Band in 1966 that cemented his place in highlife history.
With his band, Ukwu developed a sound that was both distinctly highlife and deeply reflective of Igbo cultural heritage. His music often addressed themes of love, societal values and existential reflections, making his work resonate deeply with a wide audience.
Songs like “Igede,” “Ije Enu,” and “Ego Eju Ana” showcased his ability to blend traditional rhythms with modern highlife influences, creating a sound that was both nostalgic and innovative. His music continues to be studied and appreciated for its depth and cultural relevance.
His songs are frequently played on radio stations and at cultural events, keeping his memory alive. Scholars and music enthusiasts analyse his lyrics and compositions, exploring the philosophical and cultural themes that he wove into his music.
Ukwu’s only child, Cynthia, expressed gladness at the calibre of persons that joined in honouring her late dad, noting that she never expected the turnout. She said the foundation established in honour of her father would serve as a rallying point for youths who would want to engage their inner creativity and skills for the benefit of society:
“I lack words to express my feelings. I would just say that I am elated. Today is a great day in my life. Today, I have the honour to pull this great crowd to immortalize my dad. It’s a great day. I knew people would come but I never expected the crowd here today. It is not just that they came but that they came with so much joy and hunger to honour my father. It’s an honour.
“Part of the reason I set up this foundation is to give the young people an audience, to support them. We are building a platform that can sensitize and create awareness for our youths, the young people, to acquire skills. Gone are the days when people would go without having skills. Now is the time for people to discover their talents and Celestine Ukwu Foundation is here to give you support in any way we can for people to come out with their talents.
“My dad started like that. He had this hunger. He started as a teacher but he was not satisfied. He went into music. He was mentored. He went under the likes of Mike Ejeagha and many others who were there before him.
“He humbled himself and learned. He was able to better himself and then that thing in him erupted in the best way he could present them. We are here for the young people to give them whatever voice they need.”
She said in as much as she would have wanted her father to have still been alive, she never missed out on any good thing a father would provide for his daughter due to the goodwill the mention of his name brought her way: “My father had a lot of goodwill. There is no way I would go and mention his name and the door doesn’t open for me.
“I encourage everyone to be good, be nice. In this foundation, we are concerned about character; the disposition of human beings. My dad preached about love, perseverance, tolerance and all of these virtues are eroding from our society.
“People are no longer tolerant of their family members but these are very important virtues. We hope to keep advocating for peace, understanding, tolerance and anything that will keep human beings together.”
Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Ugochi Madueke, attributed the power of Ukwu’s music to his ability to mix traditional Igbo songs with contemporary influences:
“One of his songs actually became my guiding principle. The song that talks about how dangerous it is to have an enemy as a friend. Otherwise known as enemies within. Celestine Ukwu’s contribution to music is immeasurable.
“His ability to blend traditional Igbo songs with contemporary influences not only showcased his musical prowess but also served as a bridge between generations, uniting old and new in harmonious celebration. Ukwu’s impact transcended borders with his works featured in prestigious world music compilations. Through these platforms, his music found new audiences, spreading the vibrancy of Igbo culture to the four corners of the globe.
“In celebrating Celestine Ukwu, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving and promoting our cultural heritage. May his memories continue to echo through the corridors of time, reminding us of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit.”
Former governorship candidate of Action Alliance in Anambra State, Chief Ben Etiaba, who chaired the occasion, commended the philosophical nature of Nigerian music in years past, urging the current crop of musicians to take a cue from Ukwu and other notable musicians of his time:
“These days music is fuelled by drugs and alcohol, people who are already high before heading to the microphone with weed and all sorts of nonsense. I’d rather things kept staying the way they used to be in the past.
“I am not saying that musicians in the past never indulged in these sorts of things but you kind of get a sense that they were more together. And they weren’t vulgar. Music today is just like you have to be more vulgar than the next guy to be able to sell.
“Let’s keep it clean. Let’s keep it with a message. Let’s be more philosophical about things we dish out to the audience knowing that kids and young ones are listening. Because lives are being moulded by what the stars do or say.”