In December 1984, Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie was 25 years old but his life was already full of a lot of controversies. Now one of Nigeria’s most famous televangelists, life back then was a bit tumultuous for the sassy and flamboyant youth with impressive powers of oratory.
He had issues graduating from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka where he was studying law, he had a ‘silent marriage’ and confused many with his sudden switch from raunchy music to ‘God’ not to add that he was already struggling to save his dying music career. He had released his debut album I Need Someone on the Phonodisc label in 1980 (his ‘worldly’ songs are still on sale on iTunes, you can buy them HERE). He was interviewed that time and he spoke on these issues, enjoy the excerpts below:
Okotie back then in December 1984. He has not changed much, right?
ON ONYEKA ONWENU WHO WAS 32 YEARS OLD AT THAT TIME, HE SAID:
‘I’m now married, happy and devoted to my wife, a good Christian. Forget about Onyeka. ’
Onyeka Onwenu back in the days. Image credits: Cosmopolitan.
When Okotie was asked why he suddenly suspended his music career, he adjusted his dark red jacket, tilted his permed curly hair (yes, he was already perming his hair before many Nigerians were born) upward and let out a smile saying:
‘Nothing happened. I had to cool down to be able to get out of university. Before then, I was sent on probation by the dean of the faculty of law. I protested and finally went. Now, I am at the Law School in Lagos’
ON WHY HE BECAME ‘BORN AGAIN’:
‘Every aspect of my life was polluted with sin. ‘Sin’ because I was out of touch with God like a man groping in the dark. People think that I now have a ‘holier than thou’ image. I’m still the same, it’s only that I’m now ‘clean’. I cannot remember the exact date I started the journey to being born again but I’ve always known that Jesus is the son of God; which was more of an intellectual knowledge than spiritual. When I got into the university (in 1979), I had Scripture Union (SU) friends and we used to have arguments. The change was gradual until November 7, 1983 when a friend of mine (Anselm Madubuko) came to give a talk in Enugu. God made it possible for me to hear the right dose of his word. ’
ON HIS MARRIAGE TO TEENA-SANDRA ON 27TH MARCH, 1984:
‘The marriage took place on March 27 at Christ Chapel, Nsukka with just about 10 people around. We had been going out for three years before then. On the occasion, the priest told us that he couldn’t do a big wedding because it was the lent season and we were having exams then. We didn’t want to wait. I was planning a big wedding (apart from all that), but when I became a Christian, my values changed. ’
ON THE NIGERIAN MUSIC SCENE OF THE DAY:
He pursed his lips and said:
‘Now, the music is stagnant. Nigerian musicians are rushing abroad because they hear they (abroad) want African materials but they are looking for a certain ingredients only a few can provide. All of our groups that gone abroad have not given them what they want except Sunny Ade, because his music is essentially African. Nigerian musicians will soon create a situation where they will start stopping us at the airports.’
ON THE DIRECTION THAT HIS MUSIC WILL TAKE IN FUTURE:
‘I don’t know yet. I don’t even think about it yet. My life is in the hands of Jesus until he calls me. I see music as a profession. The Bible tells us that if Christ comes to you, you shall remain in that position and let the Lord use you. I’m not going to be a gospel singer but I don’t have to be a Christian to know that I don’t have to corrupt society. There were certain songs I did that were indecent. I believe that I can sing about love, peace and still edify society and sing about God.’
Okotie also said that of all of his songs, Show Me Your Backside was his best music album because ‘ I can play it and say I did it’. As at that time though, the best-selling of his albums wasJust For You, which sold about 280,000 units under the same period that I Need Someone sold 100,000. He said his next plan was to sing at a musical show on 21st December 1984 at an event tagged ‘Christmas Tree’ at the National Theatre. From there, Okotie kept rolling on and on and the rest they say is history. He once said in 2007 God told him that he was going to become the President of Nigeria but we are still waiting for that prophecy to come to pass. In the meantime, enjoy Show Me Your Backside by Chris Okotie:
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
Credits:
- Personality, Chuzzy Udenwa, The Guardian, 16th December 1984, page B7.
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