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CONTINUATION OF OUR SERIES ON OGBONA MUSICIANS PROFILE OF JULIANA  OKHIPO Juliana Okhipo, is a Solo Artist with the Music Name J. Star. In this interview with ELIAS INAEDE MEDIA GROUP, She bares her mind on the prospects of Ogbona and other salient issues. Excerpts : Tell us about yourself, when you were born and to which family ? I was born into the family of Brendan Eragbe Edogamhe from Ogbona Ivhioche quarters on December 26th 1964. I currently resides in London in the United Kingdom, but I was born in Lagos and as a child,  I frequently travelled between Lagos and Ogbona where my Grandparents lived. I can speak several different languages from Igbo, Afemai and Yoruba. I also speak Hausa though it is quite rusty now and I have learnt some Fante (Ghanaian languages) through singing. My passion for Music has followed me throughout the years from being a lead Singer in my local church choir at the age of 5 to releasing my first Gospel Album “To Him The Glory Goes” in 2007 and “Lord You Are The Most High” in 2021. Can you tell us about your Educational background? I attended Ogbona Primary School and graduated at the Commercial Higher Institution in Lagos and completed an Issac Pickman course for shorthand typing. I then moved to the UK in 1989 to study law and qualified as a Barrister. What is the name of your band? I am a Solo Artist and go by the stage name J Star When did you begin your Music career ? I have always been a part of the Gospel music scene and throughout the years I would frequently be invited to sing at different Churches both in Nigeria and the UK. I officially started my music career in the late 90’s when I decided to devote my passion for God by praising Him through music. How many Albums have you waxed? I have one album  “To Him The Glory Goes” in 2007 and an EP “Lord You Are The Most High” in 2021. You can listen to them on any audio streaming platform like Apple Music and Spotify. You can also purchase a digital copy from Apple Music or a CD copy by reaching out to boxed.jewel@gmail.com. Which of the Albums that brought you to prominence ? Every project I have been involved in is important to me as I put a lot of hard work into it and my Praise and Worship always come from the heart. What is your advice to upcoming Artists? Let your passion lead you, don’t look for fame or fortune. One must always express gratitude to the most High, Be persistent and tenacious as it is a very tough industry. If at first you dont succeed, keep on trying. Don’t let nobody or negative opinions get you down or set you back as long as you believe in yourself and the Blessings God has installed in you and you will go far. How many children do you have I have four lovely children, Two boys and two girls who have blessed me with beautiful grandchildren . How do you see Ogbona in the near future? I see and hear a lot of positive changes being made in Ogbona. The late King,  William Idode was a great philanthropist rebuilding the Primary Health Center and Asama Primary School with the help of the awesome people of Ogbona. I am confident that the current Okphe-Ukpi will continue on the brilliant works. J Star Music Youtube: https://youtu.be/2-aUr5HTJ3o Apple: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/j-star/1492323581 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wNXWkQx79KVS5EaxYxePY?si=u39gaSCjQcyxtMc5acIstw

CONTINUATION OF OGBONA MUSICIANS BIOGRAPHY OF MR JOSEPH ESIBOR By Elias Inaede Mr Joseph Esibor was born on 25 August, 1970 to the Family of Mr ESIBOR from Ivhioche Quarter of Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. He attended Oboarekpe Primary School, Ogbona, for his Primary School Leaving Certificate and proceeded to Ayogwiri Grammar School, Ayogwiri and finished at Prudence Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogbona where he Obtained his Secondary School Leaving Certificate in 2007. He began his Music Career in the past twenty 20 years as a Choir Master at the Catholic Church, Ogbona. He was also a Choir Master of Ogbona Christian Association of Nigeria for about 15 years. He is the Band Leader of “Voice of Salvation Kings Band”. He sees Music as a hobby. He has waxed two Albums to the Glory of God and to his credit. He is a good Songs Composer who has carved a niche for himself. Mr. Joseph Esibor will be remembered for the music he has used to promote the Kingdom of God, his community and humanity. As a Man who is determined to leave an indelible mark in the history of his community, Mr. Esibor predicted that in the nearest future, Ogbona will be a great community in Afemai Land due to the prayers and commitment of Ogbona Sons and Daughters both at home and in Diaspora. He is happily married to Mrs Felicia Esibor from Ivhido Quarter of Ogbona. The marriage is blessed with Five Children. Four Boys and One Girl. He urged all Ogbona Sons and Daughters to continue to pray, cooperate and work in unity to see a glorious and better Ogbona Mr Esibor urged upcoming Gospel Musicians to be committed to the callings irrespective of the challenges and also do things that can promote humanity.

CONTINUATION OF OGBONA MUSICIANS BIOGRAPHY OF MRS CATHERINE ASHETU ALUOGHOR By Elias Inaede Mrs Catherine Ashetu Aluoghor was born in 1942 to the family of Isunevho from Ivhioche Quarter of Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State.. She is the Band Leader of Atsoghole Cultural Dance Band of Ogbona. Though she has no formal education, she has used her music to advance the progress of Ogbona community. In her quest to leave a lasting legacy in the history of the Ogbona community, Mrs Ashetu Aluoghor has waxed two Albums and and one of the Albums is Oboreoye meaning the destination of the Youths. According to her, Oboreoye track brought her to prominence in the community. One of her major outings was at Otorokhile in South Ibie Clan of Etsako West Local Government Area. The Octogenarian called for the sustainance of the unity and cooperation existing amongst Ogbona Sons and Daughters. Mrs Ashetu Aluoghor commended the various Socio-cultural Organizations in Ogbona community for their contributions to the growth and development of the community. She prayed Almighty God to grant the soul of the immediate past traditional Ruler of the community, HRH William Idode eternal rest for his exemplary leadership qualities that have brought transformation to Ogbona. Mrs Ashetu Aluoghor has Nine Children

CONTINUATION OF THE OGBONA MUSICIANS SERIES BIOGRAPHY OF EVANGELIST MRS LIZZY STEPHEN UBUIKE By Elias Inaede, Evangelist Mrs Lizzy Stephen Ubuike is a Gospel Singer from Ivhioche Quarter of Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State Born on the 13th July, 1993 to the Family of Late Mr. Sunday and Mrs Martina Akomo Akhugie. She attended Life Line Primary School, Fugar and finished at Oboarekpe Primary School, Ogbona for her Primary School Leaving Certificate. She attended Prudence Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogbona and finished at Fugar Mixed Secondary School, Fugar where she got her Secondary School Leaving Certificate. To prepare herself for future challenges, the Young Evangelist Lizzy enrolled at a Computer School at Auchi to have a Certificate in Computer training and proceeded to Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, where she had National Diploma in Food Technology and came back for her Higher National Diploma to study Food Nutrition at same Higher Institution. Evangelist Mrs Lizzy Stephen Ubuike is the Band Leader of the Restoration Praise Band. She has waxed her only Album in 2018 with the title “OGHENA UKHUAYE” meaning God You are Great. She projects Ogbona to her children as a good land that is full of fertile and good things when it comes to music, farming and education. She always let my children known that Ogbona people are very accommodating and they are born to be great and they are doing great things. Asked on her memorable day, the Young Evangelist Lizzy said 26th December, 2020, the day she got married to her husband, that God came to wipe away her tears. Evangelist Mrs Lizzy is married to Mr. Stephen Azobudi Ubuike, an Instrumentalist from Iraokhor Community. The marriage is blessed with two Girls. According to her, she use her music to promote humanity and Ogbona in positive ways to transform lives and to win Souls for Jesus Christ and she has used the money she realized from her music to take care of the educational needs of some Ogbona indigent Students On what she remembers about Ogbona, Evangelist Lizzy said her mother told her a story of how Ogbona People migrated from Benin to Uzairue and from Uzairue to Fugar and finally to the present location called Ogbona and that Ogbona is the last born of Anwu. She Started her Music at a very tender age of 14 years and has contributed significantly to promote humanity and restored broken homes through her inspirational songs… The Gospel Singer prayed that the will of Almighty God concerning Ogbona Sons and Daughters is fulfilled in all ramifications especially the spiritual lives of the people of the community to become great Men of God and great people in all spheres of life to bring Glory to the community. She is the Directress of Gifted Hands Mega Cakes and Events.

CONTINUATION OF THE OGBONA MUSICIANS SERIES BIOGRAPHY OF EVANGELIST JUDITH OCHUWA AMHANESI IFIDON By Elias Inaede, Evangelist Judith Amhanesi Ifidon is a Gospel Artiste from Okotor Quarter of Ogbona Community in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State Born in the 90s to the Family of Amhanesi of Okotor Quarter of Ogbona, She attended Life Line Nursery and Primary Schools, Ogbona and finished at Imakhena Primary School, Ogbona for her Primary School Leaving Certificate. In her quest to prepare herself for life opportunities like the White Says “I Will Prepare, Perhaps, My Chance May Come, the Young Evangelist Judith Ochuwa Ifidon proceeded to Prudence Secondary School, Ogbona and finished at Sacred Heart College, Agenebode for her Secondary Leaving Certificate. In 2011, she secured admission into Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, where She had her Bachehor of Science degree (B: SC) in Psychology. She Started her Musical Carrier early at a very tender age and has contributed meaningfully to promote humanity and restored broken homes through her inspirational songs and counselling. She has waxed two Albums, one in Etsako language and the other one in English which was released on 12th June, 2022. One of the hit tracks that has brought her to limelight is Walking With God. She asserted that She always expects the best to come from Ogbona and she was the Leader of Ogbona Christian Youths Association for about Six years. The Gospel Singer prayed that the will of Almighty God concerning Ogbona Sons and Daughters is fulfilled in all ramifications especially the spiritual lives of the people of the community to become great Men of God and great people in all spheres of life to bring Glory to the community. She expressed gratitude to Almighty God for His Grace, Favour and blessings over her life and Family and said she will be remembered for the lives and destinies she has used her music to change positively. Evangelist Judith Ifidon urged all Ogbona Sons and Daughters to always be their brothers Keeper wherever they found themselves and they should be willing to assist and show love and kindness. She is married to Mr. Ifidon and the union is blessed with two children. A Boy and a Girl.

BIOGRAPHY OF MR ERASOR ALOAYE VALENTINE By Elias Inaede Mr. Erasor Aloaye Valentine was born on 25th October 1982 to the Family of Late PA Oghieboh Erasor Kadiri from Okotor Quarters of Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State. His Mother Late Mrs Osomhona is from Ivhianaga Quarters of Ogbona. He attended Imakhena Primary School, Ogbona, for his Primary School Leaving Certificate and proceeded to Ogbona Secondary School, Ogbona and finished at Trinity Pre-Campus Secondary School, Jattu, where he had his Secondary Leaving Certificate. He proceeded further to the University of Benin where he obtained a Diploma in International Studies and Diplomacy. In his quest to prepare himself for future challenges, he enrolled at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, where he had a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2015/2016 Session. Mr. Erasor Aloaye Valentine also had a training in Crime Prevention and Control Management. He was recruited into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in August 2004 as a Recruit Private and rose to become an Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC11) his present Rank. Due to his closeness to his Mother (a Renowned Song Composer (Akamotse) as a little Child, he was able to learn the rudiments of Song Composing. His hit track is Obakhaye Iwenoya. Mr. Erasor Valentine Aloaye believes that everyone prays for a better opportunity and the enormous Grace to contribute meaningfully to the Socio-Economic growth of hiscommunity. Mr. Erasor Aloaye Valentine is a title holder in Ogbona (Agba Edion) the second Broom title holder in Ogbona 2007 Age Group Set. He is a registered Member of Ogbona Youth Forum (OYF) Benin Branch, a Social-Cultural Organization with branches across Nigeria. He also makes his friends to understand that Ogbona is the best tribe in the wholeworld. Mr. Erasor Aloaye Valentine is always proud to come from Ogbona. He added that Ogbona People always unite for development, unite against Invaders and unite to profer solutions to the challenges affecting the community. He projects Ogbona to his Children in good light with a view to ensuring that they believe in their origin. He also ensures that his children speak Ogbona dialect even though they were brought up in the city. He is of the opinion that the collective interest of the community should override the personal interest of an individual in order to have a better and a prosperous Ogbona. Mr. Erasor Aloaye Valentine wants to be remembered for the music he has used to promote the community and humanity. He described Ogbona as the Citadel of Music in Afemai Land with renowned Musicians springing up from the community. As a Man who is eager to acquire more knowledge and skills, he served under different Band Leaders in order to be properly equipped for the task ahead as an upcoming Musician. He urged upcoming Musicians to have the fear of God, respect their Elders and those that come around them both in the Music Industry and in the Circular World and also do things that can promote humanity. He is happily married to his heartrobe, Mrs Beastie Erasor Z and the Union is blessed with children. There is no doubt about the fact that Mr. Erasor Aloaye Valentine sees a glorious future for Ogbona Sons and Daughters both home and in Daspora. His memorable moments was during his Age Group initiation as the Agba Edion title holder called Umoregbemhe Age Group of 2007.