By  ELIZABETH UWANDU
As part of moves to immortalize the Nigerian legend and Lady of Songs, Christy Essien Igbokwe, a special event tagged 2016 Christy Essien Igbokwe Memorial Evening, the first of such an event, five years after her demise was held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island.

The event which was also used to celebrate the 56th posthumous birthday of the celebrated music icon, who died at the  prime  age of 50 was attended by many dignitaries, musicians, music lovers, especially fans of the late music icon.

Late Christy Essien

Speaking at the event,  Mr Edwin Igbokwe, husband of the late music icon said that his wife is still alive. “My wife Christy is not dead but lives in our house. She is with us and very happy at what we are doing.”

According to him, the memorial event, set the tune towards immortalising her awesome legacy as a true African songstress, actress, Lady of Songs, an adorable mother and wife, and a philanthropist with a large heart for children and the less privileged (whom she assisted through her foundation in many ways, including directly paying school fees for most of them at secondary and tertiary institutions).

He added, “To sum her essence, Christy Essien Igbokwe was an  Amazon  with a spiritual heart for God,  where she draws inspiration from. She is very dedicated and strives towards attaining excellence, using her special skills to generate joy to mankind.

Born on November 11, 1960 in Okat, Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Christy Essien, as popularly known by her  musical  fans or as Apena by lovers of Nigerian soap operas in the 70s and 80s was an icon, a superstar, a legend and Nigeria’s beloved lady of songs.

On her part, Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa,  Senior Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora Affairs  described Christy Essien as a lady with a transforming power, saying, “Everything she touched turned gold; things worked when she stepped in.”

“She was a legend who had set standard in the entertainment world. She was a multi-talented super-super. She is never going to die; with all her achievements. She is a legend. She led a good life and her legacy lives on forever. We must all join hands to support the foundation,” she added.

At the event were  foremost celebrities including  Onyeka Onwenu, Dr. Tee-Mac Omatsola Iseli; Laolu Akins,  Lorraine Okotie and Rev. Cynthia Okobi (both of whom represented Pastor Chris Okotie) and TV personnel, Mr. Bisi Olatilo.

Other dignitaries at the event included Mr. Ted Iwere,Dr. and Mrs. Austin Izagbo, who put the guests through her awesome legacies and  Dr. Gladys Makoju who delivered a very befitting citation, among others. Also a sensational artiste, Faith Okoh, livened up the event with her electrifying rendition of Christy Essien songs.

Commenting on the future events, the Chief Executive Officer of Best of the World, Mrs. Joy Chinwokwu, whose organisation initiated the effort to immortalise the legend, explained that the 2016 event is a prelude to the planned Annual Christy Essien Igbokwe Evening of Songs and Dance and will hold on every November 11, to mark the songstress’ posthumous birthday.

She noted that arrangements for the 2017 event have already commenced, with the booking of the Civic Centre Victoria Island venue and that the yearly November event will be preceded by an Annual Christy Essien Igbokwe Memorial Lecture, which will highlight the plight of the less-privileged, a passion the late maestro held very dear. The annual event, she said, will attract music legends from all over the world, alongside Nigerian celebrities, corporate interests, other dignitaries and couples with love for music.