Soundwela presents the evergreen classic Onye Ya Na Nwa Nne Ya No by the Celestine Obiakor and his Entertainment Group.

Charity begins at home, and Celestine Obiakor and his Entertainment Group drive this point home in this timeless song “Onye Ya Na Nwa Nne Ya No” from the evergreen album “Iyoro Nnem.”

Celestine Ukwu, often referred to as Celestine Obiakor, embarked on his musical journey in the 1960s with Michael Ejeagha’s Paradise Rhythm Orchestra in Enugu, the capital of the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. After four years, he branched out to form his own band, the Music Royals. But life, with its twists and turns, put his dreams on hold when the Biafran war broke out from 1967 to 1970. Not one to be deterred, Ukwu revived his band post-war, rebranding them as the Philosophers National. This band didn’t just play music; they crafted highlife masterpieces that sparkled with subtle brilliance throughout the 1970s.

This “Onye Ya Na Nwa Nne Ya No” song, which translates to “He who is with his sibling,” emphasizes the importance of family and the notion that charity and kindness start at home. It’s a reminder that our closest relationships are the bedrock of our values and actions.

Tragically, Celestine Ukwu’s bright career was cut short in 1977 due to an automobile accident, robbing Nigerian music of one of its most luminescent stars. Yet, his legacy lives on through his soulful tunes and philosophical lyrics.

So, whenever you need a reminder of the importance of family and the roots of kindness, let Celestine Ukwu’s “Onye Ya Na Nwa Nne Ya No” play on. It’s a beautiful blend of highlife history and heartfelt wisdom, wrapped in the soothing sounds of a true musical legend.