*Late Chief Pericomo Okoye
Renowned Igbo musician, culture exponent and awe inspiring performer Chief
Pericomo Damian Azubike Nwankwo Okoye who died February 16 2017 is set for final
burial.
Even though the real cause of his death has not been given,
but there are plans that the man who grew to become one of the grandmasters of
Igbo traditional masquerade music whose style popularized his peoples (Aro
Ndizuogu) culture and tradition worldwide is set to get a befitting burial.
According to ECD investigation, a burial committee made up
of close family members, friends and
other great men and women of Arondizuogu including popular economist and banker
HRH Prof. Greene Nwankwo who was ably represented by Prof Chinedu Uba, has reeled
out a weeklong funeral arrangement.
Those who are privy to the arrangement say Chief Pericomo
whose over 40 years of many albums tell tales of his immense talents will be interred
at his Ndiogbuonyeoma, Ndibeuche Village on Monday April 9, 2018.
In a social media announcement jointly signed by Mazi Uche
Ohia and Ikenna Aniche, a wake keeping
and night of tributes will kick start the funeral activities for the
late Icon on Sunday 8, April 2018.
Condolence visits
will continue throughout the week after the traditional Ipa Ota ceremonies.
Born in 1948, Pericomo Nwankwo Okoye popularly known with
many sobriquets like Ichie Mezuo rose to musical limelight in the early 70s
after the civil war when he joined the choir of St Michaels Catholic church in
his home town.
He later was invited by the then famous Njima cultural music
Troupe where he became their lead vocalist and shinning light.
After an album release, Pericomo also called Alusi Makaja
left the group following a disagreement and gathered the nucleus of his own
Troupe which perfected the fusion of the metal and wooden gongs and drums,
flutes and other percussive instruments to drum home his very poignant messages
bothering on societal ills.
*Pericomo before another superlative performance
His first solo album
was made in 1976.
Many other
uncountable albums followed on a yearly basis including the famous Ejezuo, Isi na Udo ga adi in two volumes, Ekere Mgba,
Izu kamma na nneji, Obudu Special, Ute Nti, Aja Egbu edi, Irigworugwo, High
Tension etc.
Others are Nduka Aku, Oderigwugwu, Ogbaghara, Awirigidi, Zuzugboizugbo
zugbo and a host of others.
One of his famous tracks was Oga atakwu ta ya aja( concrete)
where he sang about how evil men will get their due punishment.
The Ikeeji, the famous new yam festival that put Arondizuogu
into the world map of tourism also enjoyed the patronage of Chief Pericomo.
It saw every native son and daughter of Arondizuogu return
home with their friends and will certainly not be the same since his demise.
In his later years, he started being referred to as Lion of
Africa after being cast in a Nollywood movie of that title.
By Fred Iwenjora
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete