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.

By Bobmanuel Udokwu

Obinna Nwafor aka Saint Obi was no doubt one of the leading celebrities in Nollywood – the multi billion dollars Nigerian film industry.

He etched his name firmly in the industry by playing several leading roles in his active years to the admiration of millions of his fans across the globe as well as respect and admiration from his colleagues in the industry. He was as vibrant as can be when he was on any movie set, sharing jokes and banters with both senior and junior colleagues – a delight to be with. I have acted with him on several major film productions and we complimented each others performance on set.

Sudden News of Death and Shock

Outside the movie set/industry however, Saint Obi was a shy, self-effacing, almost reclusive individual who loved his privacy. This trait made it difficult for many to know when he took ill early in the year and eventually died on May 7th, 2023 in Jos, Plateau State.

Confusion, disbelief and sorrow followed his passing which was confirmed about a week after his death. He was an enigma both in life and death!

As the general public was coming to terms with his death, the Actors Guild of Nigeria embarked on fund raising (which I contributed to) and organised a Candle Light Vigil in his honour on the 11th of August in Lagos.

Shockingly, the turnout of our Nollywood colleagues to the event was abysmally poor! It left watchers of the Nigerian film industry perplexed.

Grief of A People

On Friday, August 18th, 2023, Obinna Nwafor better known as Saint Obi was laid to rest in his home town Umuezealaeze literally meaning “King’s children of the kingdom”, Alaenyi – “Elephant Town, Ogwa in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State.

The event was well attended by people from all works of life. His people (Ogwa community) were out in their large numbers, united in grief for the passage of their celebrity son.

As the black and gold coloured casket bearing Saint Obi’s body was lowered to the earth, his wife cried bitterly, shaking her head from side to side, perhaps reminiscing the wonderful times they shared together. His children were looking mostly lost and confused.

Nobody From Nollywood

I looked around the crowd for our Nollywood colleagues and could find none! Nollywood completely turned it’s back on Saint Obi in death! From the church service held in front of his palacial country home to his burial inside his large compound, Nollywood industry people were not there, not even those from his home state Imo State! I eventually sited only Charles Awurum.

No film marketer was there. I didn’t see any film producer or director at Saint Obi’s burial. Even veteran directors who claim to have made Saint Obi a star were not there!

I arrived at Saint Obi’s place early enough to join in the events of his funeral even before it started.

Did Saint Obi Express His Dismay?

After his burial, as I was sitting with some visitors in his main parlour, his enlarged picture on the wall suddenly crashed to the floor! My interpretation? He must have been showing his disapproval that friends and colleagues in Nollywood completely abandoned him in death.

Saint Obi has gone to be with his maker. He has left the stress and worries of this earthly existence behind. For those who of us still living, the journey continues.

My question however remains – Nollywood: What Sin Did Saint Obi Commit?

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