Count Down to Resurrection Concert tagged “PopStars of the 70s”… Behold the Funkees!

The Funkees originated as an army band after the civil war. The band came together in 1969 and performed as Funkees for the first time at Durumba Hall at Nkwerre.

The original members of the band were: 

  

Chyke Madu ( Drums), Berkly Jones ( Lead Guitar) and Pat Moore Ohaeri (Keyboards) joined from the group called the Figures which metamorphosed into the Sailors Navy Band, Oguta. Murphy Lee (Bass) joined  from Hykkers. Marcel Davis, (Band Manager) and Harry Moscow  (Rhythm  Guitar) joined from Celestine Ukwu Band, Bill Iyke (Singer) joined from Admirals in Awka.

The name “Funkees”came about from the popular genre of that time—“Funk” with a double “ees” added to funk. James Brown, Otis Reddings and Percy Sledge had the early influences on the music performed. 

The Funkees maintained their original lineup even after the war as they left Nkwerre to Owerri  as the 3rd Marine Commandos’ Band, Jake Solo (Fractions ), Mike Collins (Drums) joined the group after the War . Before the band left Nigeria to Europe, Enugu Dayspring was home to Funkees . As Aba was where Funkees settled to music business before the export to Europe .

By the time they relocated to London in 1972, Funkees was closest to achieving the dream of becoming "the next Osibisa." Unfortunately, after just two LPs and a couple of 45s, the band broke up in 1977.

Most of the members -- Jake Sollo, Harry Mosco, Mohammed Ahidjo, Chyke Madu and Sonny Akpan--remained active in the London music scene, doing session work, recording their own albums aimed at the Nigerian market at home and abroad, and supporting visiting Nigerian artists.

Kudos to #ObianoEffect, the Funkees will again perform together on stage... at the POP STARS OF THE 70s “Resurrection” Concert also Featuring:

* Foundars15
* Sweet Breeze
* Wings
* One World
* Semi-Colon
* Apostles
* Sokey Ohale

* Wrinkar Experience
* Aktion

DATE: Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017
VENUE: Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra
TIME: From Dusk to Dawn

Don’t Miss this Unforgettable Night of Fun and Nostalgia!

• Prizes to be won by best 1970's dressers, dancers and singers from the audience.

• Tickets are available at:

√ Shoprite (Onitsha, Asaba, Owerri)
√ Roban Stores (Awka and Enugu)
√ El Dorado Event Centre, Owerri Road, Aba

For Sponsorship Call:

~ Ernest ⏩ 0803 395 3677
~ Ngozi ⏩ 0806 330 4605

IFEADINMESI Now on ifeadinmesi.com

Do you miss my blog posts? Miss them no more...

Join my new and better platform: ifeadinmesi.com

JUST CLICK HERE

Obiano Endorses Maku for Nasarawa, Raises Hope on APGA Candidates

The APGA gubernatorial candidate in Nasarawa State, Mr. Labaran Maku has been described as Nasarawa’s brightest hope for focused and purposeful governance in the coming elections.

Receiving Mr. Maku at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, the Governor of Anambra State who is also the National Chairman of the Board of Trustees of APGA described Maku as a great patriot who had served Nigeria meritoriously in his past capacity as the Minister of Information and someone whose innate leadership abilities should be of great benefit to the people of Nasarawa State.

According to governor Obiano, Maku’s excellent pedigree marks him out as a worthy addition to the cast of thoroughbred Nigerians that APGA had assembled to transform Nigeria in the coming political dispensation and one which Nasarawa people must latch onto in order to leapfrog their state to a new height of development.

Women Groups pledge Support for APGA Candidates as Mrs. Obiano tour LGAs

Women groups across five Local Government Areas in Anambra State including Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Idemili North and Idemili South LGAs on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 pledged total support for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the February 2015 Elections. The endorsements were made in response to the call by the wife of the Anambra State Governor Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano as she embarked on a tour of the twenty-one LGAs of the state to galvanize women in a bid to ensure total victory for the APGA candidates.

Obiano Commissions Diagnostic Center, Re-constructs General Hospital Onitsha

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has commissioned the Sun Medical Diagnostic Center, an ultra-modern diagnostic center located within the premises of the General Hospital in Onitsha.

Performing the ceremony in Onitsha, Governor Obiano expressed optimism that the center would serve as a viable alternative to Nigerians who travel overseas in search of superior medical diagnosis as it is fully equipped with the latest facilities in modern medical research.

As part of the efforts to drive home the need for proper diagnosis of ailments before treatment, the governor announced that the Sun Medical Diagnostic Center would provide a free diagnosis to people between Monday and Friday next week and urged Onitsha residents to take advantage of the opportunity to attend to their medical needs.

Rights Group Commends Anambra House, Obiano for the Breaches of Peace Law 2015

 

The Executive Director of Media Ethnics and Rights Initiative, an Onitsha based media critic and responsible journalism advocacy group, Prince Ezekiel Amanambu, has commended the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the Anambra State House of Assembly for the bold initiative to pass the Breaches of Peace and Unlawful Assemblies Prohibition Law 2015 which prohibits Engagement in Unlawful Assemblies and Campaigns in such a manner as to cause Public disorder and Breach of Peace in Anambra State. Prince Ezekiel Amanambu was speaking to newsmen in Awka over the weekend as part of the nation-wide efforts to ensure conduct of peaceful elections in February 2015.

Prince Amanambu, a Lawyer and Rights Activist, said that the Anambra Breaches of the Peace Law 2015 couldn’t have come at a better time. According to the Peaceful elections advocate, “Electioneering campaigns and elections in Anambra has over the years been turned into circus of sorts with pot-pouri of violent clashes amongst multiple candidates contesting for positions on same party platform contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act thereby confusing the electorates and unnecessarily heating-up an otherwise peaceful state.”

SSG, Commissioners, Local Government Heads Resign in Ebonyi

 

A few weeks to the general elections in Nigeria, some prominent members of Ebonyi State, Governor Martin Elechi’s cabinet, including Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Fidelis Mbam, Commissioner for Grants and Donor Agencies, Fred Udeogu, prominent members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and council bosses have resigned their appointments.

According  online reports, Udeogu who had served as Commissioner in the both Dr. Sam Ewgu and Elechi-led administrations said it would smear his integrity and standing to pretend to be in two political parties, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party at a the same time hence he had to leave the government and participate fully in the affairs of the PDP.

Two coordinators of development centres who resigned, Mr. Ogbonnaya Odi and Dr. Emma Kanadu, said they resigned their appointments so that they could freely campaign for the PDP in the elections.

In their reaction, they stated that:

Female Condoms: High Cost Affects Availability, Distribution – UNAIDS

 

According to the UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Bilali Camara, the high cost of female condoms is affecting its availability and distribution in Nigeria.

Camara, who is also the UNAIDS Focal Point for ECOWAS, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

He said people shy away from promoting female condoms because it was not readily available.

He added that:

35 Road Crashes as FRSC Convicts 143 Traffic Offenders

 

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) announced that it apprehended 222 offenders in Plateau for various traffic offences, during the Yuletide.

The State’s Sector Commander, Mr. Sunday Maku, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos that the arrests were made between Decemebr 18 and December 31, 2014,

“Out of the 154 that were charged to court, 143 were convicted, while 11 were found not guilty and discharged.

Ovation as Anambra Seals Major Bilateral Agreements with Thailand ...To collaborate on Large Scale Rice, Fish Farming, Gas & Solid Minerals

His Excellency Governor Willie Obiano and Leader of the Thai Delegation, Dr. Ratana Porn exchanging copies of the signed Communique during the Cultural Night held at Governors Lodge Amawbia

For Ndi Anambra at home and in the Diaspora and friends of Anambra State, last week will go down in history as the turning point in the journey to return the state to the path of greatness. It was the week when the leading lights of the business community of Thailand relocated to Anambra State to explore the vast business potentials of the state and tie a number of agreements that will leapfrog Anambra into a commanding position in the nation’s economy.

After five exciting days of tours and presentations in a friendly atmosphere, Anambra State signed a pact with Thailand, agreeing that in partnership with the Thai Investment Group, it would establish large scale rice and fish farms and go into the manufacturing and refurbishing of agricultural machineries. Reading a communiqué issued at the end of the visit, the Anambra State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon Ifeatu Onojeme further revealed that the Thai group also resolved to partner with Anambra and other interested investors to explore the state’s Gas and Solid mineral sector and apply their technical expertise in waste management, recycling and waste energy projects. The Thai Investment Group also agreed to embark on its first ever Medical Mission to Nigeria and Africa in Anambra State during which time they would explore the possibility of bringing their expertise in the pharmaceutical industry which they hoped would make the state a major trading hub for medical supplies in Nigeria. They also expressed interest in the state power sector and initiated a Public Private Partnership arrangement to compliment ongoing private power projects in the area of power generation, and support for other electrical projects across the state.

See What Happened at President Jonathan's Meeting with Nollywood Stars

President Jonathan had a meeting with Nollywood stars in Lagos yesterday evening.

Here are all the classical pictures from the gathering…

Chibok Girls: President Jonathan Opens Up, Says Insha Allah...

 

President Goodluck Jonathan has opened up on why the Chibok Girls are yet to be rescued.

The president spoke, yesterday, at the palace of the Shehu of Borno where he had gone to pay homage to the traditional ruler.

According to him…

Exclusive Pictures from Premiere of the Nollywood Movie "Dance in the Storm" at Miami, Florida

 

January 24th 2015, Nollywood stormed Miami, Florida for the premiere of the movie 'Dance in the Storm' starring Ms-Hollywood Holly(Nmasinachi)

It was an event to remember.

According to Ngozi Aniagoh - Alakwe, “This movie was awesome, excellent, dramatic, well acted, well directed, well written. ......this movie will make you laugh, cry and teach you a few life lessons. I can't wait for it to come out on dvd! Naija rocks!!!!!”

The premiere left the audience so proud of Nollywood (the second largest movie industry).

See exclusive pictures below…

PICTURES: Jonathan Campaigns in Maiduguri...Is This Borno State?

The way President Jonathan is wowing the crowds across the North is obviously making a strong statement.

It was a happy day in Maiduguri today with the crowd shouting Sai Goodluck!

See exclusive pictures below…

Nnewi, Ekwusigo Pledge Support to APGA, as Obiano flags off more Roads

Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano, and his wife Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, with all the APGA Candidates within Ekwusigo/ Nnewi North/Nnewi South Federal Constituency during the Flag-off of Coscharis Road in Nnewi yesterday.

Communities and residents of Nnewi and Ekwusigo Local Government Areas of Anambra State have pledged total support to the Governor Willie Obiano administration and all the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates in the forthcoming February 2015 elections. The widespread endorsement of APGA and its candidates by the Ekwusigo and Nnewi South LGAs was done in appreciation of N16.5 billion road projects the APGA led-government has awarded in the areas over the years. The latest being the 6.22 kilometre Coscharis-Onuzilike Okonkwo-Francis Maduka road project at Nnewi and the 7 Kilometre Ozubulu – Ihembosi – Ukpor road projects inaugurated by Governor Obiano on January 23, 2015.

Speaking while inaugurating the 7 Kilometre Ozubulu – Ihembosi – Ukpor road projects Governor Obiano said that the infrastructural projects were in line with the policy of the administration to open up and link all parts of the State with quality road network especially the food producing areas.  

PICTURES: The Commissioning of 5 68-seater Passenger Coaches on the Makurdi-PH Rail Line by VP Sambo

 

Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan represented by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo has commissioned five 68-seater air conditioned passenger coaches and flagged off Makurdi-PH rail line

See more exclusive pictures from the event below...

For Victor Umeh, Victory Beckons with Open Arms

 

As the race for the Anambra Central Senatorial Seat gathers momentum, Chief Victor Umeh, the APGA candidate walks around with an indulgent smile on his face. And why not? Unlike other candidates who are engaged in a titanic race against the wind, Chief Umeh is running a great race with all the elements in his favour. And here are the reasons –

Of all the candidates locked in this battle of the woodpeckers, Victor Umeh seems to be the one with an iron head. Umeh is the only one among the titans who hasn’t lost a battle yet; whether it is a legal battle or a political one, in the past dozen years or so. Plus the fact that neither the incumbent Senator Chris Ngige nor Senator Annie Okonkwo has personalized the Igbo cause in a compelling way as Umeh has done in over ten years, proudly donning his trademark red cap that marks him out as an Igbo cultural icon. Umeh’s life has revolved around things that affect Ndigbo and he has never shown any hesitation or lack of guts to give voice to the issues that dominate the day.

The Day Over 50,000 Persons Gathered At Agulu To Endorse Victor Umeh

It was a triumphant entry of a bold and courageous warrior. Just recently, over fifty thousand persons gathered at the Civic Centre in Agulu to endorse Chief (Sir) Victor Umeh as their candidate of choice for the Anambra Central Senatorial election.

People from the four wards and the twenty-two villages that make up Agulu trouped out en masse to Agulu Civic Centre to receive Umeh.

Speakers that spoke at the event echoed that if not for Chief Victor Umeh's support for their son, Peter Obi, Agulu people will not be boasting today of producing a governor of Anambra State. They also said that his achievements at the national conference set him apart from other candidates.

One of the speakers explained that Agulu and Aguluizigbo which is home town of Chief Victor Umeh are brothers, and stated clearly that they will not leave their brother and support another person.

Sensational DJ Blox Storms ABS, Awka all the Way from London

 '

You need no visa to feel the sensational DJ Blox all the way from London.

He is right here in Anambra State, Nigeria.

The picture (above) shows DJ Blox (left) with the CEO of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Uche Nworah inside the station's studio in Awka today.

DJ Blox in ABS 88.5 FM? Wow... That's the Heartbeat of the East!

See another picture below...

PICTURES: The Unbelievable Happened as Jonathan and PDP Stormed Kano Today

As the political gimmicks for the February 14 Presidential Election momentarily turn to who gathers more crowd during campaigns, something unexpected happened today in Kano as President Jonathan and the People's Democratic Party stormed the state.

Ordinarily, Nigerians expected a low turn out of supporters for PDP considering the pictures posted yesterday by Vice Presidential Candidate (through his twitter handle) of  the All Progressives Congress which showed a gathering of people almost more than the population of persons living in Kano State.

As Prof Osibanjo systematically agreed today that the pictures he posted were not confirmed to be real, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi blasted Buhari saying he does not support the "recycling of old materials" in politics.

See what happened today as Jonathan arrived Kano, in pictures...