Benita Okojie

Last updated

Benita Iyere Okogie
Iyere
Born1988
NationalityNigerian
Alma mater Redeemers University
OccupationGospel musician
Known forGospel Music: Osemudiame
SpouseWale Adeyina
Children2

Benita Iyere Okojie (born 1988) is a Nigerian gospel singer. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Okojie hails from Edo State and is of the Esan tribe. [2] She graduated from Redeemers University with a degree in English Language and participated in the National Youth Service Corps. [3]

Career

Okojie started out singing mixes of Edo and Yoruba music alongside her siblings. She came into the limelight with her single "Osemudiamen" in 1998 at the age of 10. [1] [4] Her music career was independently managed by her father who had worked with musicians including Onyeka Onwenu, Felix Lebarty, Chris Okotie, and Sonny Okosun. He was credited with the production, distribution and marketing of her music. [5]

In 1999, Okojie performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA Under-21 World Cup which was hosted in Nigeria (Nigeria 99). [6] She also performed at Nigeria's 40th independence anniversary celebration in 2000. [5] Her single titled ''Unity Games'' was the theme song for the 8th All Africa Games. [5] [7]

She has featured on a reality TV show titled Moving Up the Squad alongside Nollywood actresses. [1] [8] She works alongside her husband and still releases music. [5]

Personal life

She married Olawale Adeyina on 16 November 2016 and had her first child in October 2017. [1] [9] She had a second child in 2019. [10] [11]

Selected songs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edo State</span> State of Nigeria

Edo, officially known as Edo State, is a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of the federal republic of Nigeria. As of 2022, the state was ranked as the 22nd most populous state (4,777,000) in Nigeria. The estimated state population is around 4,777,000 in 2022. Edo State is the 22nd largest State by landmass in Nigeria. The state's capital and largest city, Benin City, is the fourth largest city in Nigeria, and the centre of the country's rubber industry. Created in 1991 from the former Bendel State, it is also known as the heart beat of the nation. Edo State borders Kogi State to the north for 133 km and across the Niger River for 81 km to the northeast, Anambra State to the east for about four km across the Niger River, Delta State to the southeast and south for 350 km, and Ondo State to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan people</span> Ethnic group in Nigeria

Esan people, or Esans, are an Edoid-speaking ethnic group who share a common culture and the Esan language. The Esan are traditionally known to be agriculturalists, trado-medical practitioners, mercenary warriors and hunters. They cultivate palm trees, Irvingia gabonensis (erhonhiele), Cherry (Otien), bell pepper (akoh) coconut, betel nut, kola nut, black pear, avocado pear, yams, cocoyam, cassava, maize, rice, beans, groundnut, bananas, oranges, plantains, sugar cane, tomato, potato, okra, pineapple, paw paw, and various vegetables.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esan North-East</span> LGA in Edo State, Nigeria

Esan North-East is a Local Government Area located in Edo State of Nigeria. It has an estimated population of 119,346. Its headquarters are in Uromi/Uzea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uromi</span> City in Edo state, Nigeria

Uromi is a city located in north-eastern Esan, a sub-ethnic group of the Edo people in Edo state, Nigeria. At various points in Uromi's history, the city and people have been an important part of the Benin Empire.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Nollywood: Five people wey become star from pickin". BBC News Pidgin. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  2. Ikuenobe-Otaigbe, Eve (17 May 2012). The Esan People of Nigeria, West Africa. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN   978-1-4771-0764-5.
  3. Arenyeka, Laju (6 December 2012). "Keeping up with the Kid Stars". Vanguard News . Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  4. Ehirim, Nnamdi (27 May 2018). "Where Are Our Child Stars?". Nigerian Guardian . Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Augoye, Jayne (31 May 2020). "Nigerian kid music stars and where they are now". Premium Times . Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  6. Tell. Tell Magazine. 2004.
  7. Newswatch. Newswatch Communications Limited. 2004.
  8. Izuzu, Chibumga (27 September 2017). "EbonyLife TV announces new reality show". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  9. Ayoola, Adetayo (26 November 2016). "Singer and Olawale Adeyina wed in church ceremony". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  10. Eenbang, Jerry (19 October 2019). "Benita Okojie, gospel singer, welcomes second child". The Cable Lifestyle. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  11. Akinwale, Funsho (26 October 2019). "Gospel singer, Benita, delivers second child". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 10 July 2021.