Nigeria: Through The Lenses Of Sir Dr.Warrior

Jarlath Uche Opara

Ultimate Dr. Sir Warrior was a musical idol from an ancient town of Umuhu Enyiogugu in Aboh Mbaise local Government Area in Imo State Nigeria, a maestro with a magical voice that resonated beyond the boundaries of Nigeria and Africa to the global realm, where his musical talents mesmerised minds , creating energy, happiness and joy amidst forlorn and depressed souls.

Each time I listen to his songs I have this heart ache, that in him a destiny of musical incursion into the realm of global recognition was cut short.

He died at the age of 52. Young, vibrant, creatively artistic, creating a whirlwind of lyrics not only with deep- soul searching messages, but with an accompanying rhythm very serenading.

Each of his albums has a message to tell, a message that addresses the living reality of the prevalent life conditions and circumstances.

Listen to “Nyem Ugwum” ( accord me my respect) It is an all time classical lyrics with deep seated wisdom laced around it . The rhythm, serenading enough to take one off this realm of conscious worry and pain into a bliss of ecstacy.

Warrior! A legend, replacing him will be a hard nut. 25 years gone after his demise, the big shoes he left are still empty, nobody with the right size to fit into it.

Ndowe Ike ( Maintain strength) Is another powerful vibe. Play it in the next 100years it resonates with life realities, making one very nostalgic. Warrior came, he saw and conquered within the peremeter of his influence.

Uwa Owu nke onye ( The world is nobody’) Uwa Shia ashia( This world is slippery) Ihe onye eche( The thoughts of men) Agwo loro ibe ya ( Snake that swallows its kind) Akara aka ( Destiny) Nwa enwe nne( An Orphan) Elu rie ala rie ( fairness and equity)

To our igbo brothers, find time to visit your YouTube and check out these songs. You may think they are ancient, rightly so, but in what one calls ancient are priceless wisdom money can’t buy. Those lyrics are laced with idioms that step down the crux of the matter in the language only the wise in Igbo folklores can easily related and give the uninitiated the opportunity to yet deepen their knowledge in Igbo idioms and provides.

Since his demise 25 years ago, I am yet to see someone that could beat the prophetic sense of Sir Warrior. He saw tommorow. More than 25 years ago, those songs still speak truth to our present situations.

“Agu na egbu anyi” ( Dealt by hunger) Warrior was wizardry at using words to paint life situations in a very danceable manner, painting the realities of life in a way and manner one can’t be relate with them with empathy, pains and discomfort. It will become so real and vivid only a soul darkened with wickedness would remain unperturbed.

In that song “nwa ewe nne” today’s hunger and deprivation were foretold! It was as if he saw today 25years ago. He talked about inflation, high prices in food, how the leaders are hording things while the masses shrink in poverty, hunger and deprivation.

His description of Nwa nwe nne ( An Orphan) was a perfect analysis of what the masses have been turned into- orphans, at the mercy of the leaders. DR. Sir Warrior narrated graphically in that song, how the orphan was always given unriped orange, mango and rotten things to eat. The question is are the masses better in their living conditions compared to Sir Warrior image of an orphan in his lyrics ?He was a musical maestro par excellence! Died d with a lot of musical eggs unhatched. Had many to give but bowed out prematuredly .

This is my simple way of remembering him in a very nostalgic way 25years after his passing unto glory. I remember that day, the sun set too early, the moon hidden in the cloud and the cloud gloomy with a chilling atmosphere hovering my village that fateful day 2nd June 1999.

Everybody running helter-skelter thinking it was a prank. 25years gone! We miss him! Fortunately he left a legacy that outlived him. Continue to rest in peace Ultimate Dr. Sir Warrior Chrytogonus Obinna. The czar of highlife music. With your music so creatively and masterfully rendered, still resonating in the hearts of many, you conquered death.

Continue to rest in peace!! Uwa Owu nke onye? One of your lyrics

Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com