“Peoples Club Part 2” by Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe continues the musical tribute to the esteemed Peoples Club of Nigeria, delving deeper into the rich history and impact of this remarkable organization. This album celebrates the legacy of Chief Titus Ike Ume-Ezeoke, the founder of the Peoples Club of Nigeria, and acknowledges the profound influence the club has had on the Igbo community and beyond.

Chief Titus Ike Ume-Ezeoke, known as the Onyima of Amichi, was the visionary behind the Peoples Club. He was the younger brother of Sir Geoffrey Ume-Ezeoke, the former Accountant General of Old Anambra State, and the elder brother to Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, who served as the Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Shagari in 1979. They were direct descendants of HRH Igwe Peter Umeorimili Ezeoke of Amichi, the Paramount Obi of Amichi.

After the Nigerian Civil War, Chief Ume-Ezeoke and his friends faced significant economic challenges, with their businesses devastated and only receiving £20 from the Federal Government as paltry palliative support to rebuild their once-thriving enterprises. In 1971, while lounging with Chief Umeohamadike Obieze, Azukaenyi of Unubi, and other friends in Aba, the idea to form the Peoples Club of Nigeria was conceived as a means to socialize, support each other, and heal from the wounds of the war.

Founded during a time when the Igbo people felt abandoned and ravaged by the civil war, the Peoples Club of Nigeria was not just about socializing but also about providing hope and fostering economic recovery. The club emerged when the Igbo community needed it the most, offering a sense of purpose and unity during a period of profound despair and loss.

Before the Peoples Club, the Okaa Society of Nigeria existed, comprising young, well-to-do Igbo traders who built a fraternity. However, the Okaa Society was extinguished during the Biafran War, with many of its members lost in the conflict. The Peoples Club, in contrast, rose from the ashes of the war, helping to rebuild and transform the Igbo community, fostering a new generation of wealthy and influential Igbo men.

Chief Titus Ike Ume-Ezeoke retired as the founder and Patron of the Peoples Club in March 1983, after serving as its first National President. He handed over the leadership to Dr. Chukwuma Obioha, Akajiugo of Arondizuogu, who became the second National President.

“Peoples Club Part 2” by Chief Osita Osadebe captures the essence of this storied institution through his signature blend of traditional Igbo highlife, jazz, and other musical styles. The album serves as both a musical homage and a historical record, celebrating the resilience, unity, and economic empowerment fostered by the Peoples Club of Nigeria. Osadebe’s music continues to honor the spirit and achievements of the club, highlighting its enduring legacy and pivotal role in the post-war recovery and growth of the Igbo community.