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Celestine Ukwu (1940 – 7 May 1977) was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician during the 1960s and 1970s, best known for his hit songs "Ije Enu", "Igede" and "Money Palava". Described as a "prolific and outstanding composer" by music critic Benson Idonije of Radio Nigeria Two, Ukwu's works have been featured on various world music compilations including The Rough Guide to Highlife and The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa.

Early life

Ukwu was born in Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria to music-oriented parents. He is from Abor in Udi Local Government of Enugu State. His father was a local performer of the igede, ikpa and ode genres of Igbo music while his mother was lead singer in a women's musical group. At a young age, he began learning how to read music and play the harmonium with the help of his uncle who was a choirmaster and they traveled a lot.

He attended primary schools briefly in all the towns and cities they lived in—Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Igbariam and Buguma—and finally completed his primary education back in his hometown, Abor, in 1955. He also spent the next three years at the Teacher Training College, Zaria, where he obtained his teachers’ grade three certificate in 1958 and began to teach.

Music career

In 1962, Celestine Ukwu left teaching to join Mike Ejeagha's group Paradise Rhythm Orchestra at Enugu as a vocalist and maraca player and will later learn the odo (xylophone) which was later integral to his style.

Later he joined Mr. Picolo's band who were touring the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the time.

He returned to Nigeria and played with Herbert Udemba and his African Baby Party. Three months later he formed the Freedom Jazz band in Maidugiri , but then moved to Zaria with Charles Jebba to form The Republican Knights.

Later he moved again, to Onitsha, where he fronted the Niger City Starlighters and their debut recordings scored hits like "No Condition is Permanent," "Artificial Beauty," "Appolonia," and "Ije Enu."

After nine months, he regrouped his band and renamed it "Celestine Ukwu & His Music Royals of Nigeria". He played regularly in Frontline Hotel, whose owner Mathias Okafor rented instruments for him. He later disbanded in 1967 following the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War, before releasing a song at the outbreak of the war titled 'Hail Biafra' to boost the morale during the war

in 1970, after the war, he assembled a band, releasing his first album, True Philosophy, in 1971. The band was renamed as "Celestine Ukwu and the Philosophers National" in 1972. His songs preached wisdom and philosophy and helped soothe the people who has lost their property and loved ones during the war.

Celestine Ukwu and The Philosophers National

Celestine Ukwu released seven albums and over 40 songs with his band. The band members were:

• Emma Ikediashi - lead guitarist
• Anthony Mogbo (aka Buzuzu) - vocalist
• Harry Mosco Agada (lead guitar, composer of "Sugar Cane Baby")
• Goddy Oku (lead guitar)
• Paul Adis - (rhythm guitar)
• Dennis Akwa (rhythm guitars)
• Didi (from Cameroun) on bass
• Joe Igbokwe (sax & trombone)
• Roxy Edet (trumpet)
• Joe Ibeto (sax)
• Walter Igbodo (tenor sax, band leader)
• Goddy Eze (clarinet, sax, flute)
• Jacob Okii (maracas)
• Blessed Bazima - conga,
• Bolingo - conga
• Black Shadow (congas).
• Goddy Odinkemere - drummer
• Ferdy Ohans - drummers.

Personal life

Celestine Ukwu married Josephine Uzoyibo (nee Okereke-Attah) Ukwu in 1976 and was blessed with a daughter Cynthia Chikwado Ada Ukwu born seven months after his demise

Artistry

His songs were primarily composed in Igbo language with a bit of Efik. In a 1986 edition of Thisweek, a writer once wrote that his songs "gave a food for thought to its listeners".

Ukwu's song is always laced with deep philosophical meaning and the themes are usually critical of materialism and rash behaviours.

Ikenna Emmanuel Onwuegbuna in his journal article "Celestine Ukwu—the Music, the Message, the Man" analyzed Ukwu's message as thus:

The pioneering highlife works of Celestine Ukwu frequently carry resonant social messages alongside their artistic innovations. His lyrics convey philosophical depth and social awareness by tackling themes aimed at bettering society and humanity itself. The works are permeated with Igbo cultural identity and traditions. Both the style and philosophical messages of his songs strongly reflect the values and worldviews of his ethnic background. Several resonant themes emerge that demonstrate this deep connection.

Egalitarianism is a prime Igbo principle showcased in Ukwu's music. In the song Grade by Grade, he espoused the spirit of equality, industry, and destiny being in one's own hands rather than determined by fate or birth right. This aligns with the Igbo cultural emphasis on achievement through hard work. Similarly, Ukwu levied trenchant criticism against materialism in songs like Ego Eju Aka, which condemn the unbridled accumulation of wealth for its own sake. Such greed is anathema to the Igbo communal system based on sharing resources. By highlighting these tensions, Ukwu's lyrics provide social commentary on the changes affecting post-civil war Igbo society.

The transience of life is another theme the song Ije Enu touchingly addresses, reflecting Igbo philosophical views about the uncertainty of existence and constant flux. Other songs imprint Igbo wisdom and identity by incorporating folk musical styles and lyrics pondering metaphysical questions about human nature.

Ukwu boldly addressed specific societal issues as well.

Death

He died in an auto-crash on 7 May 1977. He was in a car with a his friend named Alexander Nwobodo who has just bought a new car when they were hit by a trailer near Owerri Road, Ogidi on their way to Ihiala. He died in the hospital as a result of the crash

Discography

Albums

Singles

Compilations

• His Philosophies: Compilation (1975)

See also

• List of Igbo people
• Category:Igbo musicians
• Category: 20th-century Nigerian singers
• Category: 20th-century Nigerian male singers
• List of Igbo people
• List of Nigerian musicians
• Rex Lawson

Bibliography

• Richard C. Okafor; Celestine Ukwu (1999). The life and works of Celestine Ukwu Okoye Nzube. New Generation Books. ISBN 978-978-2900-39-5.

References

1. "Celestine Ukwu Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
2. ^ Chimezie, Chika. "Celestine Ukwu's Musical Philosophy: Is This the Sweet Spot of Highlife?". Afrocritik.
3. John Collins (1985). Musicmakers of West Africa. Lynne Rienner Publishers. pp. 51–. ISBN 978-0-89410-075-8.
4. ^ "DISCOGRAPHY OF CELESTINE UKWU & HIS PHILOSOPHERS NATIONAL".
5. ^ "Unveiling the Life and Legacy of Celestine Onwurah Ukwu: A Comprehensive Biography". Celestine Ukwu Foundation Website.
6. "Celestine Ukwu's only child speaks on a father she never met". Vanguard News.
7. Thisweek. Thisweek. 1986.
8. Onwuegbuna, Ikenna Emmanuel. "Celestine Ukwu—the Music, the Message, the Man". Nsukka Journal of the Humanities – via Research Gate. This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
9. "43 years after, Celestine Ukwu's guitarist opens up on him". Vanguardngr.com. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
10. "43 years after, Celestine Ukwu's guitarist opens up on him". Vanguard News. 3 August 2019.

• 1940 births
• 1976 deaths
• Igbo highlife musicians
• Musicians from Enugu
• Igbo musicians
• Road incident deaths in Nigeria