iyke onka: News/Blog
PROUDLY NIGERIAN - 1 October 2007
A lot of times people send me mails, post comments on my website or even call me up to ask if I’m a Nigerian. I can’t possibly tell what stirs the curiosity in their minds but I can guess… Maybe they think much less of Nigeria than they should. Or they think Nigeria is not capable of breeding excellent people doing excellently well in their various fields of endeavor. Or they have come to believe the negative media propaganda against Nigeria and Nigerians. My guess could go on and on but will always end with a capital ‘NO THEY ARE WRONG ABOUT NIGERIA’
Let me say here for those who are still in doubt that I AM A NIGERIAN and PROUDLY SO. I may not be able to completely swap the wrong picture that the world (including an insignificant few of my fellow citizens) has painted about Nigeria with the right one. No, not with this single blog or even a thousand others. An attempt at that may derail my vision. But one thing is certain: I LOVE MY BELOVED COUNTRY and no matter what anybody else thinks or says, Nigeria remains the best and the most blessed Nation in the world. So much peace and freedom… Wonderful and diversely beautiful people… Abundant natural endowments… the count is endless. Yes, we have our fair share of socio-political and economic challenges. But if history is anything to go by, then, I’m yet to know of any nation in our world that has not or will not at one time or the other experience these very challenges plaguing Nigeria at the moment. I stand to be corrected.
Sorry if I’m beginning to sound like a diplomat instead of a musician. I’m just excited about my dear fatherland, Nigeria. More so because of the significance of this day, 1st of October. It’s our Independence Anniversary and I’d like to wish my fellow Nigerians a Happy Independence Day. A million hearty KPOSAs
Let me say here for those who are still in doubt that I AM A NIGERIAN and PROUDLY SO. I may not be able to completely swap the wrong picture that the world (including an insignificant few of my fellow citizens) has painted about Nigeria with the right one. No, not with this single blog or even a thousand others. An attempt at that may derail my vision. But one thing is certain: I LOVE MY BELOVED COUNTRY and no matter what anybody else thinks or says, Nigeria remains the best and the most blessed Nation in the world. So much peace and freedom… Wonderful and diversely beautiful people… Abundant natural endowments… the count is endless. Yes, we have our fair share of socio-political and economic challenges. But if history is anything to go by, then, I’m yet to know of any nation in our world that has not or will not at one time or the other experience these very challenges plaguing Nigeria at the moment. I stand to be corrected.
Sorry if I’m beginning to sound like a diplomat instead of a musician. I’m just excited about my dear fatherland, Nigeria. More so because of the significance of this day, 1st of October. It’s our Independence Anniversary and I’d like to wish my fellow Nigerians a Happy Independence Day. A million hearty KPOSAs
"Hold On" ...behind the song - 27 September 2007
Recently, I got an email from someone who described herself as a huge fan of mine. She said something about the song “Hold On” that inspired this blog. I’m sure she won’t mind me quoting her:
“…i thot i liked another miracle best until i got the album and heard hold on then i fell really in love with it. recently i have been going thru a lot. Little did i know it could happen that when God says something even when you think you've heard a date or time period and then it doesn't happen when you expect...well that happened to me somehow dont know if you went thru same but hold on was for me...its helped heal my relationship with God and i can once again believe Him and hold on to all He's said...
i'm sending this mail to tell you to keep doing what you're doing cos you sure are blessing lives....may our Good Lord keep you strong and focused....may He bless you and keep the lyrics flowing…”
That song means a lot to me too. I wrote it when I was going through stuff. Back then I was trapped between circumstances that completely contradicted my knowledge of God's word and His promises to me.
"Blue sky, is this ME crying in the rain
Oh why do I feel so much pain
Down on my knees I go crawling once again"
Looking back now, I can rightly say it was a test of my faith in God's love. I didn't realize it early enough so I stumbled. But even in my state of hopelessness, I felt the nudge of God's love urging me to hold on...that everything was going to work out for my good.
"I wonder what has gone wrong with ME today
I thought I heard you when You said it's gonna be okay
Lord I believe every word you say..."
Yes! Somehow, in my spirit, I knew I just had to hold on and rest in God's love but my mind was drowned by the sea of contrary circumstances.
"Come to me! I can hear You calling
Let it be! I'm still trying...
Please help me…"
It was more like a battle between my spirit and my mind. I had to choose sides, and I'm glad I went with my spirit and prayed God:
"...please help ME run away from me..."
And God in His love and infinite mercy delivered Me from me and gave Me the strength to hold on. Soon the night was over. The storm stilled and I discovered I'd just made it through to a higher level in the school of God's love. I advanced in my knowledge of the love of God in Christ Jesus.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? (Romans 8: 35)
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 37-39)
“…i thot i liked another miracle best until i got the album and heard hold on then i fell really in love with it. recently i have been going thru a lot. Little did i know it could happen that when God says something even when you think you've heard a date or time period and then it doesn't happen when you expect...well that happened to me somehow dont know if you went thru same but hold on was for me...its helped heal my relationship with God and i can once again believe Him and hold on to all He's said...
i'm sending this mail to tell you to keep doing what you're doing cos you sure are blessing lives....may our Good Lord keep you strong and focused....may He bless you and keep the lyrics flowing…”
That song means a lot to me too. I wrote it when I was going through stuff. Back then I was trapped between circumstances that completely contradicted my knowledge of God's word and His promises to me.
"Blue sky, is this ME crying in the rain
Oh why do I feel so much pain
Down on my knees I go crawling once again"
Looking back now, I can rightly say it was a test of my faith in God's love. I didn't realize it early enough so I stumbled. But even in my state of hopelessness, I felt the nudge of God's love urging me to hold on...that everything was going to work out for my good.
"I wonder what has gone wrong with ME today
I thought I heard you when You said it's gonna be okay
Lord I believe every word you say..."
Yes! Somehow, in my spirit, I knew I just had to hold on and rest in God's love but my mind was drowned by the sea of contrary circumstances.
"Come to me! I can hear You calling
Let it be! I'm still trying...
Please help me…"
It was more like a battle between my spirit and my mind. I had to choose sides, and I'm glad I went with my spirit and prayed God:
"...please help ME run away from me..."
And God in His love and infinite mercy delivered Me from me and gave Me the strength to hold on. Soon the night was over. The storm stilled and I discovered I'd just made it through to a higher level in the school of God's love. I advanced in my knowledge of the love of God in Christ Jesus.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? (Romans 8: 35)
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 37-39)
My Hero Rests - 19 September 2007
I’m born again; spirit-filled and tongue-talking but you don’t want to know what it felt like when I picked a call on the 1st of this September and was told that my Dad had just passed on. It isn’t worth recalling but I grieved deep down in my heart. My Dad, he was born again. So I was consoled but then I couldn’t help imagining what his last moments were like. I got so curious and asked those around when he checked out. The testimony was even more consoling. My Dad sang his way home just like he always told me that he was born to sing and will die singing. And his last song was a beautiful piece he recorded in the late 70s. A paraphrased translation of that song reads:
“Father, I’m coming home
May the gates open up for me
I’ve lived through my time on earth
I’ve done my part
Now I come home
Please bid me welcome”
Soon after the song, with so much peace radiating from deep within him, he repeated the words of King David: “…though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death: I fear no evil…” Then he peacefully and gloriously passed on to be with our Lord.
I was so comforted by that testimony. Of course, I didn’t expect anything less majestic because my Dad has always been my hero. Soon enough, my mind was flooded with memories of the beautiful relationship I personally shared with my Dad when he was here with us:
I remembered the first day I attempted writing a song as a child. How he carefully guided me through the art of weaving melodies and harmonies together.
I remembered the proud smile on his face the first day I beautifully rendered a solo piece to a command audience at the Presbyterian Central Church.
I remembered being the youngest chorister in my Dad’s choir. How he thought me to defy my accent and render solos in beautiful diction.
I remembered the first time we all played together in our family band. My Dad on the Saxophone, my Mum on lead vocals, my siblings and I doing background vocals and taking turns with the guitars, keyboards and drums. It was beautiful, the way we rendered our signature tune: “Stand Up for Jesus”
I remembered the first time I attempted producing and recording a song with his HiFi cassette recorder. How he encouraged me and told me that I’d make a wonderful recording musician and producer. He gave me a gift of a book from his personal library. The book, “Physics & Music” played a major role in shaping my career both as a trained physicist and a music producer/audio engineer.
I remembered the proud excitement in his voice the day my Dad called to congratulate me after he heard my hit single on radio for the first time. How he blessed me and told me it was time to fly high and conquer my world.
Flashes upon flashes of memorable moments with my Dad, my hero still surrounds my aura. I know they’d always be around to inspire me to greater heights.
What can I say… my hero rests now with the crowd of witnesses cheering me up in the race that lie before me. I have no fear of derailing because he firmly established me in the way I should go. I will forever be grateful to my Dad, my hero. I will always celebrate his legacy and ultimately glorify God who in His infinite grace gave me the precious gift of a Dad and a Hero in Gilbert (Geetee) On’ka.
“Father, I’m coming home
May the gates open up for me
I’ve lived through my time on earth
I’ve done my part
Now I come home
Please bid me welcome”
Soon after the song, with so much peace radiating from deep within him, he repeated the words of King David: “…though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death: I fear no evil…” Then he peacefully and gloriously passed on to be with our Lord.
I was so comforted by that testimony. Of course, I didn’t expect anything less majestic because my Dad has always been my hero. Soon enough, my mind was flooded with memories of the beautiful relationship I personally shared with my Dad when he was here with us:
I remembered the first day I attempted writing a song as a child. How he carefully guided me through the art of weaving melodies and harmonies together.
I remembered the proud smile on his face the first day I beautifully rendered a solo piece to a command audience at the Presbyterian Central Church.
I remembered being the youngest chorister in my Dad’s choir. How he thought me to defy my accent and render solos in beautiful diction.
I remembered the first time we all played together in our family band. My Dad on the Saxophone, my Mum on lead vocals, my siblings and I doing background vocals and taking turns with the guitars, keyboards and drums. It was beautiful, the way we rendered our signature tune: “Stand Up for Jesus”
I remembered the first time I attempted producing and recording a song with his HiFi cassette recorder. How he encouraged me and told me that I’d make a wonderful recording musician and producer. He gave me a gift of a book from his personal library. The book, “Physics & Music” played a major role in shaping my career both as a trained physicist and a music producer/audio engineer.
I remembered the proud excitement in his voice the day my Dad called to congratulate me after he heard my hit single on radio for the first time. How he blessed me and told me it was time to fly high and conquer my world.
Flashes upon flashes of memorable moments with my Dad, my hero still surrounds my aura. I know they’d always be around to inspire me to greater heights.
What can I say… my hero rests now with the crowd of witnesses cheering me up in the race that lie before me. I have no fear of derailing because he firmly established me in the way I should go. I will forever be grateful to my Dad, my hero. I will always celebrate his legacy and ultimately glorify God who in His infinite grace gave me the precious gift of a Dad and a Hero in Gilbert (Geetee) On’ka.
Thank you Ruth Sedoo - 18 September 2007
It's amazing how time flies and how cheap intentions could get when you procastinate. I remember promising to update my blog regularly but.............
Well... I think it's easier to apologize to everyone of you that has consistently checked for my updates than to bore you with reasons. I can't imagine your dissappointment but I'm really sorry and I promise again to be a good boy and let you all know what's going on with meeeeee.
Thank you Ruth Sedoo for waking me up. I owe you one.
Well... I think it's easier to apologize to everyone of you that has consistently checked for my updates than to bore you with reasons. I can't imagine your dissappointment but I'm really sorry and I promise again to be a good boy and let you all know what's going on with meeeeee.
Thank you Ruth Sedoo for waking me up. I owe you one.
Pastor Chris inspired my song "Another Miracle" - 17 May 2007
Hi dear,
Welcome back to my blog. Last time, I promised to share with you some of the stories behind my songs. Right! I'm going start today...
Sometime ago in Nigeria, there was a big media controversy on the issue of broadcasting miracles. Some people within Nigeria's broadcasting regulatory body were of the opinion that miracles were not fit for the airwaves. Right on the hottest spot of that controversy was my mentor in Christ, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his widely viewed television program "Atmosphere for Miracles" (AFM)
Well, it's a long story. I may not necessarily recount in details what transpired but to me, two important things happened:
The first was that the reality of the gospel we preach prevailed and secondly, one of my favorite songs was birthed...
One of those days, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, though not in direct response to his critics made a simple but profound statement. In wisdom that could only be likened to that of our Lord, he said and I paraphrase "...if truly we believe that Jesus Christ lives and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever, then we should still experience, in our present day, the same miracles he performed..." How true!
That statement kept echoing through my consciousness. Each time I thought about it, I figured myself as a non-prejudiced reporter who followed through the miraculous events that characterized the life of our Lord Jesus in flesh.
I saw myself on the road to Jericho where blind Bartimeaus in tenacious faith received the miracle of his sight.
I saw myself by Lazarus' tomb and felt the glorious chill in the air when Jesus ordered him to 'come forth' And the riot-amazement that followed when the four day old dead Lazarus came stepping out of the grave.
I also figured myself somewhere in the crowd when the desperate woman with an issue of blood pressed through the crowd to touch the Master's garment for her healing. And how Jesus so full of compassion commended her faith and made her whole.
These stories had been told and retold a million times but still I had a strong persuasion to tell them one more time in my music. Coupled with Pastor Chris' statement, I created the lyrical backbone for the song "Another Miracle"
I wanted the whole world to come to terms with the fact that Jesus is alive... Beyond that, I wanted everyone that will get to hear the song to know that He (Jesus) is presently doing many more miracles and for all who care to BELIEVE there'd yet be ANOTHER MIRACLE.
I'd share some more with you on the stories behind my songs next time. So please check back often and don't forget to post your comments on my comments page.
Like Pastor Chris will say "...see you next time and keep living in an Atmosphere for Miracles"
iyke onka
Welcome back to my blog. Last time, I promised to share with you some of the stories behind my songs. Right! I'm going start today...
Sometime ago in Nigeria, there was a big media controversy on the issue of broadcasting miracles. Some people within Nigeria's broadcasting regulatory body were of the opinion that miracles were not fit for the airwaves. Right on the hottest spot of that controversy was my mentor in Christ, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his widely viewed television program "Atmosphere for Miracles" (AFM)
Well, it's a long story. I may not necessarily recount in details what transpired but to me, two important things happened:
The first was that the reality of the gospel we preach prevailed and secondly, one of my favorite songs was birthed...
One of those days, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, though not in direct response to his critics made a simple but profound statement. In wisdom that could only be likened to that of our Lord, he said and I paraphrase "...if truly we believe that Jesus Christ lives and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever, then we should still experience, in our present day, the same miracles he performed..." How true!
That statement kept echoing through my consciousness. Each time I thought about it, I figured myself as a non-prejudiced reporter who followed through the miraculous events that characterized the life of our Lord Jesus in flesh.
I saw myself on the road to Jericho where blind Bartimeaus in tenacious faith received the miracle of his sight.
I saw myself by Lazarus' tomb and felt the glorious chill in the air when Jesus ordered him to 'come forth' And the riot-amazement that followed when the four day old dead Lazarus came stepping out of the grave.
I also figured myself somewhere in the crowd when the desperate woman with an issue of blood pressed through the crowd to touch the Master's garment for her healing. And how Jesus so full of compassion commended her faith and made her whole.
These stories had been told and retold a million times but still I had a strong persuasion to tell them one more time in my music. Coupled with Pastor Chris' statement, I created the lyrical backbone for the song "Another Miracle"
I wanted the whole world to come to terms with the fact that Jesus is alive... Beyond that, I wanted everyone that will get to hear the song to know that He (Jesus) is presently doing many more miracles and for all who care to BELIEVE there'd yet be ANOTHER MIRACLE.
I'd share some more with you on the stories behind my songs next time. So please check back often and don't forget to post your comments on my comments page.
Like Pastor Chris will say "...see you next time and keep living in an Atmosphere for Miracles"
iyke onka
A ride with Buchi - 13 May 2007
I rode to church this morning with a man of God I admire so much. His name is Buchi and he is a fellow music minister. Something happened a few blocks before we cornered towards the car park. From the back seat I observed through his rearview mirror that he suddenly had a mood swing. His face gradually brightened into a joyous glow and within minutes he bursted into a melody I'd never heard. He was so engrossed in the tune that even before he said it, I knew he was having a beautiful encounter with the Holy Spirit and receiving a new song in the process. Afterwards, he kept singing that song till we got to church...
It's amazing how musicians receive inspiration for their songs. Different strokes for different folks they say... I'm sure you'd like to know how I receive inspiration for my own songs. I'd definitely let you know but that will be for another day.
Till then, keep loving...
iyke onka
PS- you can react to my blog or post your comments on the 'Comments' page.
It's amazing how musicians receive inspiration for their songs. Different strokes for different folks they say... I'm sure you'd like to know how I receive inspiration for my own songs. I'd definitely let you know but that will be for another day.
Till then, keep loving...
iyke onka
PS- you can react to my blog or post your comments on the 'Comments' page.
welcome to my blog - 12 May 2007
Hi there!
Sorry, I haven't been updating this page. I was actually wondering what to do with it... So I've decided to turn it to my personal diary or blog as you may want to call it.
Here, I'd be sharing some memorable events and happenings in my daily life - starting with the stories behind my songs...
I hope to update this page as often as possible... so stop by from time to time and share my life.
love you.
iyke onka
Sorry, I haven't been updating this page. I was actually wondering what to do with it... So I've decided to turn it to my personal diary or blog as you may want to call it.
Here, I'd be sharing some memorable events and happenings in my daily life - starting with the stories behind my songs...
I hope to update this page as often as possible... so stop by from time to time and share my life.
love you.
iyke onka