Oliver De Coque: Forgotten Legend

I WROTE THIS PIECE IN 2010, AND I POSITED THAT OLIVER DE COQUE IS NOT RESTING IN PEACE. I WAS IN THE LATE SAGE'S HOME TODAY AND I AM CONVINVED THE OLD MAN IS SUFFERING IN HIS GRAVE. LOOK OUT GOR THIS YEAR'S MEMORIAM ON OLIVER SOON. Even as growing up kids, living with our parents in our early years, it was easy to decipher the happy moments of our father, it was usually when he is relaxed with any track of Sunday Oliver Akanite’s (Oliver De Coque) music, which he practically forced us to listen to, our mother inclusive, claiming that there exist salient and hidden truth in what the musician sang, which is capable of bringing wisdom upon people.   Our father’s love for every message passed by the late musician, including the Igbo proverbs with which he laced his music, and the praises he lavished on men of means contributed to make Oliver a demigod in our home, even without our knowing him. While our father took pains to explain every word contained in the music of the legend to us, he (Oliver) was made to look to us like a super human being who probably knows close to everything.   Carving out a unique identity that can not be anybody’s, Oliver is not the type to pass unnoticed. With a trade mark bushy beard, a dress sense that stood him out, he carved for himself a unique identity and in his life time and thrilled the world with his music, only to bow out when it was appointed unto him by his maker exactly two years ago, when he passed to the great beyond.   Since after his death, it is a surprise that Oliver De Coque is fast forgotten, by everyone who knew him; his fans, his home state government, his fellow musicians and his kinsmen alike. The Igbo nation, whose value, culture and message Oliver did well to propagate to the outside world through out his life and times have all turned their back to him, leaving him to fade into oblivion.   It is painful that we, Nigerians join nations in the western world to celebrate their stars, and extol them even in death, when we hardly can pay commendation to our own. This is very evident in the dust raised by the death of the acclaimed king of pop, Michael Jackson last year.   In just one year after his death, Michael Jackson could be said to be an issue that has remained in both foreign and local media alike, with every thing about him making news. Merely finding some old and used gloves owned by the pop star in his hay days could be breaking news, just as concert after concert have been staged around the world on his behalf. Why it should not be the same for Oliver De Coque, if not in Africa, then Nigeria, or even in the South-East, or his Anambra State surprises me.   We should be able to celebrate our own no matter how little. Three things worked for Michael Jackson; his trade mark dress sense, his tuneful voice and his electrifying dance steps. He is not known to be good with any musical instrument except holding the microphone, but with what he had, the western media made a god out of him. The same can not be said of our dear Oliver De Coque; despite a unique identity, good dance steps, good voice, a dexterity on the guitar that is marveling, inclusive of his ability to play other musical instruments, we still hardly reckoned with him, and in death he is just as good as history.   Today, the Igbos are crying that their culture is fast going into extinction, leading to a renewed fight for the speaking of Igbo language, yet those who championed the cause before now can not be appreciated. Oliver De Coque it was who through his music (usually in Igbo language) popularized the language, leaving others who do not understand the language with an eagerness for learning the language, and wishing earnestly that they were Igbos.   He did not only popularize the language, he popularized Igbo people with his music, calling names of men of means, including their achievements. Not a few wealthy Igbo men have benefited from the talent of this great musician as his music sold most others across their territory, brought unity among people and yet entertained music lovers to the point of moving fun seekers from their seat to the dancing floor.   Singing in Peoples Club and several other hits of those days, Oliver taught lessons, spurred young people to work hard to get to the top, celebrated success, entertained with his dexterity on the guitar, laced with good dance steps. Only few Nigerian musicians who still play music would create their own identity and stick to it all through their career like Oliver De Coque did.   For all that this legend did for his people, what did he get? In death, Oliver could be said to be the most cheated legend in history. Not a state burial at death, not a project against his name in his home state or anywhere known, Except for a lonely bush part of a street out grown by bushes in his local Ezinifitte villge in Nnewi North local government of Anambra state, where a small sized sign post reads; Oliver De Coque Drive, two years after his death, Oliver may well have been history.   If men who touched lives in their own way like Oliver can not be remembered and awarded posthumously, what encouragement the living gets to try and impact on lives while alive is doubtful. If Oliver were a politician, who probably looted his state or the country to enjoy so much means, how men would fall over themselves to honour him, but alas he was only a musician.   Not minding his profession, his likes in other part of the same country still smile in their graves when they hear positive mention of their names. Fela Kuti may have died in 1997, but in the western part of Nigeria, folks who believe in his God given talent still come together to celebrate their hero. More than 10 years after his death, he still would be happy in his grave when his fans gather yearly to celebrate him. Even Dagrin, the youthful rapper who died in a ghastly motor accident early in the year, would get a mention in a long while, why not our Oliver De Coque.   At this point it would be good to ask what his Igbo kinsmen in the show biz industry are doing, what are the Igbos whose culture Oliver did well to keep away from extinction doing, what are the few living men of means who enjoyed popularity as a result of their mention in his albums doing? Life as an Igbo must be nasty if legends can not be remembered just two years after their death. Oliver surely is not smiling in his grave.   Eleke (07039853422), an Anambra State based journalist wrote in via donbaron2004@yahoo.ca

BREAKING: Maku, Wike, Obanikoro, others resign as Ministers

Seven ministers in President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet have resigned their positions. Those who resigned are Ministers of Information, Labaran Maku; Trade and Industry, Samuel Ortom; State for Education, Nyesom Wike; and State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro. Others are Ministers of Labour, Emeka Wogu; Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu; State for Niger Delta, Dairus Ishaku. The ministers quit their posts to pursue their political ambitions, the government said. The ministers, whose departure had long been expected, will contest gubernatorial elections in their respective states. More details coming…. SOURCE: PREMIUMTIMES

Over 5000 APGA youths to visit Ojukwu’s grave over ex-Gov. Obi’s defection

No fewer than 5000 youths who are members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Party (APGA) in Anambra are expected to visit late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s cenotaph (tomorrow) today over ex-governor’s Peter Obi’s defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Disclosing the move to newsmen in Awka on Sunday, the state deputy chairman of APGA, Chief Ifeanyi Udokwu, said that Ojukwu had remain the leader of the party even after his death. “My people believe that the dead fights for the living. “APGA has gone severally to Ojukwu’s grave since he died because the party decided that he will remain the leader of the party even in death. “We are going to his grave again tomorrow (today) to invoke his spirit, consult him, tell him developments in the party as well as our wishes,” Udokwu stated. The deputy chairman said that the visit by the youth would be led by some stakeholders of the party but he refused to disclose their names. He however described the defection as the Constitutional and fundamental rights of Obi, saying that the move would not in any way affect the fortunes of APGA in the 2015 general elections. “He has reasons to have defected to PDP and it has little or no effect on APGA,” expressing confidence that the party would clinch 95 per cent victory at the 2015 general elections. Udokwu re-affirmed the position of the party to support President Goodluck Jonathan for a re-election in 2015, noting that other seats would be keenly contested and won by APGA.

"I HAVE STRONG EVIDENCE TO NAIL T A. ORJI" - Orji Uzor Kalu.

***Challenges anybody with any evidence of his (OUK) financial wrong doing while in office to come forward ***Three questions I asked T. Orji the first day we met after his swearing-in, which made him jump ship. ***Seven questions he must answer today. I still challenge the governor to tell the world what I did to him that made him, one, jump ship; two, declare war against me; three, embark on ceaseless campaigns in the media against me; four, run a government that cares not for the peo­ple; five, hate our people too much; six, encourage corruption in his government; seven, tell lies with ease; and eight, think that his sins will not find him out at the end of his tenure. He must give reason­able answers to these posers if he still owes any allegiance to the people. Let me refresh the governor’s memory about our first ever meeting in 2009 – 18 months into his first tenure as governor. I had told him on phone that I requested the meeting to discuss a matter of urgent importance. I also requested his approval to allow Ambassador Sam Nkire to witness the meeting, to which he concurred. On the day of the meeting, I asked the governor three basic ques­tions: First, have I ever asked you for money since you assumed office as governor? His answer: No. Second, have I ever asked you to give any con­tract to me or anybody related to me? His answer: No. Third, have I ever asked you to do a favour to anybody, directly or indirectly? His answer: No. Satisfied that he understood my questions very well, I now went for the clincher. I told the gover­nor pointblank that the people were complaining about his poor performance in office and, there­fore, should buckle up. I also told me that I hear he borrowed a huge amount from some banks in the state without anything on ground to justify it. I saw the disbelief in his face, but I was determined to tell him the truth. I also told him that the way he was going he would not get a second term. This probably was the biggest shock of his life. In his response, he denied taking any loan from any banks (even when the evidence was glaring). I was shocked. From that day onwards, his attitude changed. He started courting strange friends and associ­ates, distancing himself from me and leaders of our party. He did other odious things I would not want to discuss here for strategic reasons. As if to tell the whole world that he was now his own man, he started romancing other political parties. For the eight years he was my Chief of Staff, he handled my security vote – duly appropriated, which was all the money I spent as governor. I never dipped my hand into the state’s coffers or did any deal with anybody, including contractors. All those who worked under me did so with free hands. I challenge anybody who can produce any evidence that I did any deal with him, while in of­fice as governor, to come forward with it. I am a very straightforward and respectful per­son. I do not engage in anything that would call my reputation to question. Throughout my ten­ure as governor, I ensured probity, transparency and accountability. Our administration almost succeeded in routing corruption. Even the civil servants, who know every thieving governor and government officials, can attest to that. Unknown to the governor, I have very strong evidence against him about all that transpired between us throughout the period we worked together, including the meeting in question. Am­bassador Sam Nkire, who witnessed the meeting, is still alive. I will reveal the evidence at the ap­propriate time. When that happens, his lies will fail him. Let me also state here that all the discussions I had with him concerning money, while in office as governor, are with me in evidence. If he can tell the truth he will agree that he did many things wrong as my Chief of Staff, including tardiness in the handling of my security vote, but I still ac­commodated him. Let me leave that for now, until such a time it will become necessary to ask further questions.

Dame Jonathan allegedly backs Ekwunife against Umeh for senate Wife of president Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience has allegedly thrown her weight behind the aspiration of the member representing Anaocha, Dunukofia Njikoka federal constitutency, Hon Uche ekwunife to replace Senator Chris Ngige. Blogger Chyddy gathered that Dame Jonathan confirmed this during her recent visit to Anambra State for the 4J rally in support of her husband’s aspiration. According to a source who claims to be in the know, Dame Jonathan had in a secret meeting with some dignitaries after the rally told the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano that Ekwunife is the favoured candidate for the zone. The source said Obiano had wanted to utilize the opportunity of the visit to make a strong case for his new found man-Friday, Chief Victor Umeh whom he is supporting for the senate race when the president’s wife in her usual bluntness made the statement. This website further gathered that the former governor Peter Obi was responsible for the decamping of Uche Ekwunife when it became obvious to him that the duo of Umeh and Obiano were bent on doing him in. Though it was not ascertained whether Obi was responsible for influencing Dame Jonathan to support Ekwunife’s aspiration as a way of spiting Umeh who have taken over the structure of APGA to push for his senatorial ambition. The battle for Anambra Central Senatorial seat will be a tough one with Ngige an incumbent vying on the platform of APC, Ekwunife in PDP and Umeh who has the total support of the governor of the state vying in APGA. A handful of other aspirants in PDP have also indicated interest.