Legendary Nigerian singer, Christy Essien-Igbokwe famed for classics like Seun Rere, and Akwa Ibom Mmi, is the latest Nigerian honoured by the Google Doodle.
Our #GoogleDoodle in Nigeria today honours the life of Christy Essien Igbokwe’s 58th Birthday. 'Nigeria’s Lady of Songs' who used her fame to highlight social issues such as the abuse of women and children. pic.twitter.com/tFEOlJ361p
— Google in Africa (@googleafrica) November 11, 2018
Google Doodle is a temporary replacement of the Google logo in honour of individuals and events. This year, Google Doodle has honoured 3 individuals and events unique to Nigeria.
Born on November 11, 1960, Google Doodle honours Christy Igbokwe on her 58th posthumous birthday.
Nicknamed Lady of Songs, Christy hails from Okat, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state. But she grew up with her mother’s friend in Aba in Abia State. She started her singing career back in secondary school and was privileged to feature at a few clubs in Aba.
Google celebrating Christy Essien-Igbokwe. This legend needs her own biopic pic.twitter.com/9Md3zO0SEU
— Imoh (@ImohUmoren) November 11, 2018
She got her broadcast debut in 1976, appearing on the radio show “The Masquerade”, where she played Akpena, the wife of a troublesome character, Chief Jegede Sokoya. Christy became a household name after appearing the TV version of the series, The New Masquerade and it helped her venture into other roles.
By 1977, she began her music career in earnest, releasing her first album Freedom in the same year. She went on to make several hit songs and her albums reportedly went viral. But it was her 1981 album Ever Liked My Person that solidified her repute as a force in global music. After the album launched, she scooped several local and international awards.
Today's Google Doodle is Nigeria's Christy Uduak Essien-Igbokwe MFR. She was known as Nigeria's Lady of Songs and was known for her song "Seun Rere". Her fluency in Igbo, Ibibio, Yoruba & Hausa earned her an audience across the country. In Nollywood, she addressed FGM issues. pic.twitter.com/Is9caD2Q0g
— This Is Africa (@ThisIsAfricaTIA) November 11, 2018
She also played an interesting role in the formation of the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in 1981. She first served as the organisation’s treasurer in the 80’s, then as the first Female President of the association between 1996 and 1999.
But Christy Igbokwe was not just known for hits. She was also renowned for her interest in charity and women activism. Her movies in the 1980’s depicted and raised issues around child abuse and female genital mutilation, two key issues in gender discourse today.
Chrity Essien-Igbokwe died on June 30, 2011 following an undisclosed illness. She was 50.
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