CELEBRATING CHISCO ONYE MGBAGO.
Chibuzo nwa Ikeli Anekwe is an Indigene of Mgbago in Umueri Okebo, Anambra East local government area of Anambra State. He started his musical career from Ogene Sawa spanning over two decades. He rose to become one of the best muscians in Omabala today.
Sawa was originally an initiative of Late Ogbatulienyi Nteje. Others who also developed their bands by towing the same line of late Ogbatulienyi's Sawa were: Late Ijele Aguleri, Onyebuchi Nteje, Chukwudi Apiti, Opanda Umueri to mention but a few.
The death of Ogbatulienyi Nteje and Ijele Aguleri threatened the development of Ogene Sawa in Omabala area, before God finally used Chisco & Onyebuchi Nteje to revive it.
The music of Chisco Onye mgbago epitomizes friendly relationship and promotion of peace and unity in Omabala area, just like Onwuzulike Udengba na Mgbago.
The experience of Chisco Onye mgbago gracing occasion is memorable. People prepare ahead to watch his performance which is full of satire and allegory. Most atimes he utilizes satire to criticize those at the helm of affairs, just like "Umuleri kwuva aka oto" in this particular track , he alleged that some indigenes were responsible for the abduction of Chief Charlie, a very prominent son of Umueri community. Chisco went further to make caricature of the suspects by intentionally pronouncing their names the other way round.
Ever listened to "Akwuna ga ebe Akwa nwa na una nka"? That was a masterpiece from Chisco Onye mgbago. Probably, you have listened to "Iguedo Nno, Kenneth nwa Obalim" He has also eulogized a lot of young men in Aguleri and Umueri. In one of his albums, he said that he cannot release an album without mentioning Omekosiabunwa Ofia Afulu Ego " Ngusia egwu obulu namu akporo ezigbo Nwanne mu, Ofiafuluagu imali na Oburo Chisco tili egwu". You can as well check out for these titles "Chisco nwa Umuleri oti Egwu Ekpili, Uwa bu turn by turn, Ayaya, Nwanemalinwanne Ivite Aguleri etc.
The Umuleri born singer uses satire of the economic and political climate of our time to entertain audience in Omabala dialect. His musical career is as educative as entertaining.
I take this opportunity to wish Apolo Onye Mgbago a very happy birthday.
From Dr. Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo ( Odogwu Aluta)