The origin of the Oriental Brothers International Band can be traced to a man, JOHN IKEDIALA. He’s a relative of Dan Satch, who himself is a founding member of the group.

Shortly after the Biafra War, a lot of Igbos faced hardship as a fallout of the War. Igbos lost homes, property, friends, and family. One such person was John Ikediala, a musician, who could barely survive and his music career was at a standstill. So, Dan Satch’s wife pleaded with him to help Ikediala resuscitate his band so that he could have a source of livelihood and not die.

Dan Satch, in his usual nature of benevolence, abandoned his job as a mechanic, to help John Ikediala to revamp his band. This however came at a cost to Dan Satch. Not only did he abandon his work as a mechanic, friends, and relatives mocked him for abandoning his work for music.

And so, the journey to the great Oriental Brothers International Band started, without their knowing it. Dan Satch assembled musicians, those he knew and those that were brought to him. Among these musicians were Tony Awoma, Kabaka, and Warrior. Actually, Kabaka came to replace Awoma, who in his usual nature was not a stable person and had gone even before anything too serious had begun. It was because he was always coming and going that Dan Satch actually brought Kabaka to replace him. (Awoma returned in 1977 to replace Kabaka when he too left in 1976).

Warrior himself also came to replace the first vocalist. At this time, Dan Satch could only play xylophone and nothing else. He left the xylophone when Aquila joined since Aquila was good at percussions and conga. Dan Satch then started teaching himself how to play the guitar and bass. Finally, a band was formed for John Ikediala with Warrior on vocals, Kabaka on guitar, Dan Satch on bass, Ichita on drums, and Aquila on percussions.

In search of greener pastures, the band moved to Kano around 1970/71. However, the move turned out to be a disaster. John Ikediala became selfish and didn’t take care of the band. According to Dan Satch, the band members had to endure serious hunger, with Kabaka quitting the band.

By 1972, the boys couldn’t bear it any longer and Dan Satch appealed to those who were left that he had a sister in Lagos and that they should move there. So the band landed in Lagos and stayed in Ikeja. They initially were playing in hotels and joints. Dan Satch began searching for Kabaka again and eventually brought him back to the band. However, according to Dan Satch, Kabaka was very reluctant to come back. He had to send important people to him with some cash to persuade him to come back. Kabaka eventually returned but was rumoured to have given Dan Satch one condition: that he be appointed band leader. A request Dan Satch granted.

They continued as a band in this fashion without a name, not to talk of the Oriental Brothers International Band they are now famously known. Dan Satch started visiting record companies to secure a recording contract. He first went to EMI where the band was rejected outrightly. This was because Sony Okosuns who was the A&R Manager at that time allegedly blocked them. From there, they went to DECCA/Afrodisia where they were also initially rejected due to comments also allegedly made by Ebenezer Obey, but the receptionist, a man at the studio who was Igbo, pressed a few buttons for them. Miraculously, DECCA officials sent a message to Dan Satch that they were coming to the hotel where they were based to audition.

Dan Satch got the boys ready including buying polo t-shirts for each of the members so the band could look clean and professional. The band played Ìhè Chi Nyere for the audition. It was a simple setup with Warrior on vocals, Kabaka on lead guitar, Dan Satch on bass, Ichita on drums, and Aquila on percussion. There was no rhythm guitar part for the song and Kabaka had to keep playing non-stop throughout the length of the song.

Fortunately, DECCA was somewhat impressed and the boys were invited to the company to sign a contract in 1973. It was at the point of filling out the forms that the name ORIENTAL BROTHERS came about. This was how the Oriental Brothers International Band was born.

The Catholic Artistes and Entertainers Association of Nigeria (CAEAN) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has given awards to the deserved winners of its Jesus Christ’s Passion Play Competition 2023

From Nwagbo Obi

The event took place on Sunday, 13th August, 2023 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Abuja

CAEAN which is the umbrella body of Catholic filmmakers, actors, actresses, directors, dancers, musicians, makeup artistes, costumiers among others in Nigeria had recently called for entries on a short film on Jesus Christ’s Passion that would attract prizes

Entries were received by Marcos Habila-led Committee set up by CAEAN Abuja. Adjudicators chaired by the Nigerian veteran actor, Zulu Adigwe with Prof Barth Oshionebo, Dr Olympus Ejue both scholars of Theatre Arts department, University of Abuja, Ambassador Wahala, a Nigerian renowned comedian among others as members keenly watched them and announced the winners

The prizes were accordingly won in this order,  St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Pasali, Kuje (First); Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Wuse Zone II (Second); The Church of Archangel Parish, Durumi/Garuwa (Third).

They were given the cash prizes instituted by the trio of and tagged, Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku, CAEAN Abuja, Chaplain first prize for Abuja CAEAN Jesus Christ’s Passion Play Competition 2023 (2) Sir Dr. Rufus Ebegba second prize for Abuja CAEAN Jesus Christ’s Passion Play Competition 2023 (3) Dr. Mrs Chinwe Abara Third prize for Abuja CAEAN Jesus Christ’s Passion Play Competition 2023.

The CAEAN Abuja chairman, Mr. Patrick Nwagbo Obi who represented the CAEAN Abuja Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku said the prizes were to encourage creativity in entertainment such as; filmmaking, directing, acting, music, dancing, makeup, costuming, etc for evangelism in the Catholic Church.

He added that the Catholic Church is blessed with enough stories that artistes and entertainers can use to make all-year-round productions. Citing the example of the film made by Pete Edochie on Blessed Iwene Tansi, as an instance, Obi said Catholic Artistes can focus on the stories of biblical figures like Moses, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon etc and saints like Anthony of Padua, Kizito, Joseph, Mary, Patrick, Augustine, Padre Pio, Charles, John Paul II, Theresa, Mother Theresa, Cecilia among others can provide continuous contents

The chairman of the Adjudication Committee, Zulu Adigwe told the winners, though they won, they need to constantly engage in the creative and performance activities to perfect their artistic and entertainment engagements

Stating that though perfection belongs to God, he asserted that man can struggle to be excellent. On this note, he added that the only way to arrive at being excellent as a Performing Artiste is to consistently practice. He counseled that one can buy a large mirror and continuously look through it while imitating other people’s actions and mannerisms

Sir Ken Achine, former Chairman, Catholic Men Organization (CMO) who represented Sir Dr. Rufus Ebegba commended the winners for their efforts saying that there are potentials in them, while Dr. Mrs Chinwe Abara advised that CAEAN should strive and reach to organizers of festivals for them to be included and called on individuals to strive towards excellence that should create stardom in them

CAEAN Abuja Secretary, Mr. Mathew Kaha thanked the institutors of the prizes and called for more people to institute more awards like best actor, best actress, best Director, best makeup artistse, best costumier, best cinematographer, best producer among others to encourage individual creative ingenuity for evangelism

Madonna’s longtime manager Guy Oseary confirmed yesterday that she had been taken to the ICU on Saturday with a serious bacterial infection 

The pop icon reportedly had to be ‘intubated’ after she was found ‘unresponsive’

In his statement, Oseary said that she was ‘still under medical care’ however reports now suggest that she has returned home and is ‘feeling better’

Madonna is back at home and feeling better after being rushed to hospital with a serious bacterial infection. 

The 64-year-old pop icon was reportedly found ‘unresponsive’ in New York on Saturday – when she was taken to the ICU and ‘intubated’. 

However, one day after her longtime manager Guy Oseary confirmed that Madonna had been hospitalized, she is, a source confirmed to DailyMail.com, back at her home and ‘feeling better’.  

The news comes after DailyMail.com revealed that Madonna‘s management team held a crisis meeting on Zoom last Sunday amid fears that she might not have survived the bacterial infection that saw her admitted to intensive care.

Madonna is back at home and feeling better after suffering from a serious bacterial infection that reportedly required her to be 'intubated' in the ICU on Sunday  

The 64-year-old (seen at her Lisbon home in 2020) was forced to postpone her 40th-anniversary tour - which was due to kick off on July 15 - after her health scare 

It was during this meeting that the group – many of whom had worked with Madonna for several decades – took the difficult decision to postpone her highly-anticipated 40th anniversary tour and shortly afterwards the plans were put in motion.

They were concerned that the opening night of the music extravaganza in Vancouver on July 15 was just three weeks away.

On Wednesday, Oseary announced that Madonna was suffering from a ‘serious bacterial infection’ and needed time to recover.

One source said: ‘The simple fact is that nobody knew at this point how it was going to all end. Madonna was very ill and in these situations there are always fears for the worst.

‘Realizing that someone is in intensive care is scary so there was a lot of worry and upset, these people had been her close friends for some time. But they had to be fair on fans, and with the tour getting even closer they took the decision to postpone pretty much immediately, so plans were put in motion.

‘Even if she was to recover quickly, she would be very behind in her rehearsing schedule and nobody wanted to put her under any pressure.’

Meanwhile, it can also be revealed that Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon was in Paris where she attended a party to celebrate a new collection of Vans trainers – a brand that she has close connections with.

The party, which took place in a skate park on the banks of the Seine River, was on Thursday night. Sources say she found out the news of her mother while in the French capital and immediately raced to her bedside.

Madonna's daughter, Lourdes Leon (pictured together last year), was in Paris celebrating a new collection of Vans trainers before she raced to her bedside

Madonna's 17-year-old son David Banda was pictured in New York this week amid his mother's health struggles

Overnight, the 26-year-old posted a picture of herself on Instagram where she was plugging the trainer brand, while wearing a revealing corset and low waist jeans.

While it isn’t known when the photograph was taken, fans took the snap as a sign that the legendary singer is now on the mend.

Madonna’s eldest son Rocco had just completed a week-long motorbike trip with two friends in Transylvania, Romania. He wrote of his holiday: ‘What a crazy place and a crazy trip. First enduro tour and hopefully the beginning of many.’ He tagged in his influencer pal Tommaso Gilardoni.

It appears that the trip finished last Saturday – the same day his mother was found unresponsive at her New York apartment.

He made a dash to the US to see her too and was this week seen walking outside her home which overlooks the city’s Central Park.

It comes after a family member said the shocking collapse was a wake-up call for Madonna, who believes she is ‘invincible’ and has been pushing herself extremely hard to prepare for the tour.

‘For the past couple of days, no one really knew which direction this was going to turn, and her family was preparing for the worst,’ the relative said. 

‘That is why it was kept a secret since Saturday. 

‘Everyone believed that we may lose her and that has been the reality of the situation.’

Madonna is mother to six children: Lourdes, 26; Rocco, 22; David, 17; Mercy, 17; and 10-year-old twins Stella and Estere.

Madonna, seen in a picture posted to social media on June 23, was rushed to hospital on Saturday and a relative told DailyMail.com that her family was 'preparing for the worst'

The singer has three sisters and three surviving brothers - her older brother Anthony, 66, died in February. In this 2021 photo she is seen with their father Silvio, now 92. From left: Paula, Madonna, Jennifer and Melanie

She also has three sisters – Paula, Melanie and Jennifer – and four brothers: Anthony, Martin, Christopher and Mario.

Anthony died in February from throat cancer and respiratory failure, aged 66. 

The Ciccone siblings all keep a low profile, leaving the limelight to their megastar sister. 

The family source told DailyMail.com that her sudden hospitalisation united them.  

‘All of Madonna’s family members have come together over this,’ the relative said. 

And it served as a reminder to the singer that she needed to take care of herself. 

‘This really woke her the f*** up. 

‘She has not been living as healthy a life as she should be for her age, and she has been wearing herself thin over the past couple of months. 

‘She thinks that she is still young when, in fact, she is not. She also believes that she is invincible.’

Sources close to the singer said she has been working around the clock to ensure that her tour is perfect, with one revealing that she has been rehearsing six days a week.

Another told DailyMail.com in April that she was ‘driving everyone up the wall with her perfectionism’. 

At the time the source said that Madonna was ‘in incredible shape’. 

But the family source said on Wednesday that discussion of her tour is banned from her bedside, because the famously hard-working singer needed to rest. 

Madonna posted this image of herself with her children in 2017. From left, Rocco, David Banda, Mercy James and front, Lourdes and twins Stelle and Estere

Madonna postpones tour after being hospitalized with infection

‘Everything, including this tour, is taking a backseat right now and no one is allowed to even mention anything work related around her because she will lose her s***,’ the relative added. 

‘She will put her career and her fame before her health until the day she is dead.’ 

Madonna’s representatives are yet to comment on the relative’s claims, when asked by DailyMail.com. 

The 64-year-old’s health scare was shared with the world by her longtime manager Guy Oseary, who revealed on Instagram that Madonna has been forced to postpone her tour as a result of her medical struggles. 

Oseary insisted in his post that the singer and mother-of-six is ‘expected to make a full recovery’ and that her ‘health is improving’, but added that she is ‘still under medical care’. 

According to Page Six, Madonna – who was due to kick off her 84-date Celebration tour in Vancouver, Canada on July 15 – was ‘discovered on Saturday’, when she was ‘taken to the ICU’ and ‘intubated overnight’. 

Although Oseary did not share the specifics of Madonna’s treatment, or the conditions of her hospitalization, he confirmed that she was taken to the ICU on Saturday and that she was diagnosed with a bacterial infection.

‘On Saturday, June 24, Madonna developed a serious bacterial infection which led to a several-day stay in the ICU,’ he wrote on Wednesday afternoon. 

‘Her health is improving, however she is still under medical care. A full recovery is expected.’

The music manager then revealed that the singer is being forced to postpone the start of her tour, for which she has been rehearsing for months – and which was due to begin in a matter of weeks – writing: ‘At this time we will need to pause all commitments, which includes the tour.’

He did not reveal when Madonna might be well enough to commence the international tour, simply promising fans that he would ‘share more details as soon as we have them, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows’.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, a source confirmed that the singer is now ‘out of the ICU and recovering’. 

The 64-year-old pop icon’s manager Guy Oseary confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, revealing that the star was still ‘under medical care’

Madonna’s manager added that the singer (seen on June 20) has been forced to postpone the start of her 40th anniversary Celebration tour, which was set to begin on July 15 in Canada 

According to Oseary, Madonna (seen on June 20) is ‘still under medical care’ but is ‘expected to make a full recovery’ – although a rescheduled date for her tour has yet to be shared 

Madonna shares dance video with her son David Banda on TikTok

The ‘life-threatening’ condition that de-railed Madonna’s tour: What are bacterial infections and what causes them?

It is not known exactly what kind of infection Madonna is suffering from, however bacterial infections can affect many different parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, brain, and blood, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

‘Common bacterial diseases include UTIs, food poisoning, STIs and some skin, sinus and ear infections,’ the medical body states, noting that the most common form of treatment is a course of antibiotics. 

‘There are many bacterial infections that aren’t usually serious or can be treated easily with antibiotics,’ it explains. ‘However, any bacterial infection that gets deep into your body, like in your blood, heart, lungs or brain, can be life-threatening.’

In April, an insider told DailyMail.com the preparations for the tour were grueling, and she was giving it her everything. 

‘Madonna is really turning it out. She is in incredible shape and is going to kill it with this tour,’ they said. 

‘It may be her last tour, so she wants to make it perfect. She is incredible shape and her body is sick.

‘This is her labor of love. Her perfectionism is driving everyone up the wall but she does not care. The crew is working their a** off because everyone wants to make her happy. 

‘She has no issues whatsoever with firing someone at the drop of a hat. 

It is not known exactly what kind of infection Madonna is suffering from, however bacterial infections can affect many different parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, brain, and blood, according to the Cleveland Clinic.  

‘Common bacterial diseases include UTIs, food poisoning, STIs and some skin, sinus and ear infections,’ the clinic says, noting that the most common form of treatment is a course of antibiotics. 

‘There are many bacterial infections that aren’t usually serious or can be treated easily with antibiotics,’ it explains. 

‘However, any bacterial infection that gets deep into your body, like in your blood, heart, lungs or brain, can be life-threatening.’

The Madonna: The Celebration Tour, was due to run from July 15, 2023, to January 30, 2024.

It would be the singer’s 12th concert tour and will visit cities in North America and Europe, anticipating 84 shows.