In a community where the natives are versatile and have diverse skills and professions, those diverse skills help to elevate the status of the community. This is so because the peculiarity and eccentricity of those skills entails that the community is not renowned for one thing alone which may easily peter out. But however, is famous for being diverse in their professions and which may give them the capacity to meet peoples’ expectation.
So is the case of the late Mr Iwobi, who branched out into music career at a time when the majority of his clans’ men were predominantly farmers, traders, and hunters etc. The late Iwobi was the first musician from Umuokwara Umuanu village and perhaps the best singer the community have ever produced.
It is not certain why he branched out into music career or what inspired him to sing the type of songs he sang, but one thing that is certain is that his style of music made a positive impact on those around him. Mr Iwobi’s use of proverbs and metaphors in his song not only kept his fans entertained, they were also elucidated by his songs so much so that people perception of life was changed for the better.
One of his tracks which remained indelibly on my mind is "Onye gara school afor itolu". This track epitomise someone who appears to have spent so much time on one thing and yet has not achieved any success. It is not quite certain if the late musician saw this character as a dunce, a failure or as someone with no sense of direction, however, what is depicted in the song is a reprimand or innuendo to someone who is lackadaisical or has a penchant for banalities of a sluggish life. I presume the song writer implied that one should take evasive action against any stagnated or regressive situation one finds oneself in, and seek for an alternative if one really wants to achieve success in life.
Somehow, the literal interpretation of this track may seem insulting to the simple minded, however, if one is able to fully understand the message in the song, one would be encouraged and motivated to take precautionary measures against indulging or engaging in ventures that does not yield any success.
Mr Iwobi was indeed a man of great wisdom and inspiration. Though he is late, yet his songs continue to educate and inspire people about taking the right path in life.
I would like to dedicate this page to late Mr Ignatius Osuji from Obodo village. Mr Osuji’s paternal advice and incessant play of the above-mentioned track whenever I visited him, has instilled that burning desire in me to ‘press on’ in life irrespective of all what life throws at me.
Mr Osuji, just like R Kelly sang, "I wish I can talk with you, I wish I can hold you now, I wish that I can talk with you and be with you somehow. But I know you are in a better place, although I can't see your face, I know you are smiling down on me saying everything is Okay". I pray the good Lord in his infinite mercy would grant you eternal rest in his Kingdom and may his light continue to shine on you. May you continue to watch over those whom you have inspired. You were a great inspiration and a great hero. Your advice and words of encouragement has helped me tremendously. May the good Lord and his angels and saints bless and protect you Amen!.
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