THE MAN: FELIX OGIE.

ODIA

Felix Ogiemwanre Odia was born in 1943 at Utekon in Ovia North East Local Government of Edo State,
Nigeria.

In 1949, his Uncle, Mr. Edebiri Joshua (now Late) came home for Christmas from his Okene station (in
Kabba Local Government of Kwara State); Ogie followed him back and started school in 1951 at the
R C M school. At that time, a pupil had to go through Infant 1 and Infant 2 before he could start in
Standard 1. When he got promoted to Standard 1 in 1953, he joined the church choir under ‘Teacher
Michael’. Incidentally, it was the same year that he started to participate in the yearly Drama/ Acting
concepts.

His first stage action was in the play titled “the Hyeana and the little girl”- where young Ogie took the
part of the little girl.

In the choir, pupils were taught mostly Christmas and Easter songs .The first Latin song, was taught by
Alexus Makozi, a classmate of Joseph Ohieku (there were both Seminarians). Today Alexus Makozi is his
Lordship, the Bishop of Port Harcourt and his classmate, Msgr. Joseph Ohieku of St. Joseph Catholic
Church , Okene. Fortunately, Ogie was amongst the choristers that sang at their Ordination in December
1961.

In 1958, he was admitted as one of the pioneer students in the newly opened St. Augustine Secondary
school Kabba by Msgr. Auguste Delisle C.S.P.P of the Prefecture of Lokoja. In 1963, he finished and
obtained the Cambridge school certificate. Thereafter, he came back to Benin City the Capital of the
newly created Midwestern Region to seek for employment (because it was difficult for non –
Northerners to secure appointment due to the Northenrisation policy at that time)

THE CIVIL SEVANT

Ogie got appointed as a Clerical officer in the then Ministry of internal Affairs Benin City, headed by
Prince Shaka Momodu. He was posted to the Registry of the Government printing press, Ekehuan road.
From 1970-1994, he worked as an officer in the General executive cadre of the Civil service, performing
accounting duties. He studied Public Administration in the University of Benin where he finished in 1990
with a Distinction. Between 1995 and 1997, he was the Ag. Director of Pension and Administration, Edo
state and from 1998-1999 he served as the Chief Accountant/Chief Executive officer (Accounts) in the
Edo state judiciary were he retired meritoriously and honorably on 31st October 1999 after serving for
the maximum period of 35 years allowed by Law.

In the year 2000, (because of his link and performance with the Pension Administration) he was
appointed by the Edo state Government as a consultant to the Peter Unubum committee on the welfare
of pensioners. The committee finished its assignment on schedule and was praised for a job well done.
In 2002, the high court of Justice Benin City, gave him a contract to help build up its account division. He
finished the job on 31st January 2005.
 THE CHOIRISTER

Young Ogie continued his attendance at choir practices in the St. Paul Minor Seminary church under the
Choir Mastership of Mr. Ambrose Ekhosuehi. However, during the Civil war in 1967, he moved to Holy
Cross Cathedral and joined its Holy Cross Cathedral Choir also known as the St. Cecelia choir; under the
choir mastership of assiduous Moses Ifejokwu (now late)with Odia assisting when the situation arose. In
1978, he became the choirmaster and activities of the choir became more visible. At this period, the two
strong choirs in the Diocese of Benin were Holy cross cathedral choir (St. Cecilia) and St. Josephs choir
(Spiritual Tongues), which had Mr. Gabriel Ejenake as its Choirmaster. It is instructive to state that
amiable Mr. Ejenake proposed the setting up of the Deneary and Diocesan choirs and Ogie gave him all
the required support. Mr. Odia became the first Deanery and Diocesan choirmaster with Mr. Ejenake as
General co-ordinator and S. O. Itemisa as Chairman.

When Mr. Odia became the Chief Choirmaster of the St. Cecilia Choir, he posted capable and reliable
choristers to help establish choirs in the following parishes in the Diocese

1. Mr. Stephen Okpobrisi to Holy Spirit catholic Church in Benin City

2. Mrs. Patricia Ogigirigi to St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ukegie, Benin City
3. Mr Gabriel Okoro to St. Thomas Aquinas catholic church, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City

In 1980, St. Cecilia Choir organized the first ever Festival of songs for 3 days! The activity took place at
the Catholic social Centre, Mission road, Benin City under the auspices of Msgr. Stephen Okotete, the
Parish Priest. Earlier in 1979, the then Executive Governor of Bendel state, Professor Ambrouse Alli (RIP),
decided to attend the Annual Christmas Carol service organized by “Radio Bendel” at Holy Cross
cathedral where St. Cecilia choir participated . Four Years later in 1983, borrowing a leaf from Radio
Bendel, Mr. Odia started the festival of 9 lessons and carols. In 1989, his Grace, the Archbishop of Benin,
Most Rev. Dr. P. E. Ekpu OFR, mandated that effective from 1990, Mr. Odia should organize an annual
Archdiocesan Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols to be held on the 3rd Sunday of Advent (also known as
Gaudate Sunday).It was held in Holy Cross for the first time and it was agreed later that other parishes
could also host the festival (only after the Archdiocesan carols). Today, others-Orthodox and Pentecostal
churches now hold these festivals copying from the Holy Cross Cathedral format

In 1995, Prince Pastor Smarty Jones (now late), a Ghanaian friend, Teacher Extraordinaire and first class
singer, conceived the idea of having an annual Easter festival of Readings and Songs with Mr. Odia. The
idea was sold to His Grace, the Archbishop who gave his blessings with the instruction that it should hold
until the end of time. It comes up on the Sunday before passion or Palm Sunday at Holy Cross.

Reading about the Vatican II’s allowance of “Inculturation” in the Liturgy, gave Mr. Odia the Impetus to
start composing songs in Bini language.

His first composition was in 1983 titled Osanobua ho emwen agbon (John 3:16). The 3 stanza hymn is
No. 386 in Joyful Sound Hymn book. This was followed by Osa Uru ese- No 384 of same Hymn Book. In
1994, the metropolitan of the Benin See commanded Mr. Odia to put the Entrance song Ecce Sacredos
Magnus (Latin) into Bini Language.It is the Ghe Ohen no Hin Usi-No. 529, Joyful Sound Hymn Book.
He was also to compose tunes for the proper of the Mass in Bini. This assignment was completed in
1995. The Spiritual Tongues of St. Joseph Catholic Church became the First choir to sing Ghe Ohen no
hin Usi and the proper of the Mass in the native language.

Till date Mr. Odia has to his credit, the following compositions

 Proper of the Mass in Bini

 Five Traditional “Egbo” Songs
 Eleven (11) Bini Anthems including the famous Esohe and Ede na bie Jesu
 Five ( 5) Bini Hymns
 One (1) Ora song
 One (1 ) Urhobo song

During his administration as head of Music in Holy Cross Cathedral, the following choirs were born:
Marian Choir, charismatic Choir, Block Rosary Choir and Trinity Choir (Trinity Singers).
Mr. Odia (the Co-coordinator of Choirs in the Archdiocese) is a member of the Liturgical Commission of
the Archdiocese of Benin city established by the Arch Bishop

THE ACTOR AND RADIO PRESENTER

As a Dramatist, he has acted in over 100 T. V. plays. Remember the “Abigo the Tailor”, “Oturugbeke alias
Tough trouble” series in N.T.A. He has acted in Home Videos and various films e.g. Iken, Jimioh the
Cocoa farmer, Oil Doom Azibaziba, Eziza, The Prince etc. He represented Nigeria in Festac 1977 in the
Drama entry of LANGBODO where he played the role of EFO IYE

On Radio, he was one of the pioneers of WAHALA GOES TO TOWN; the first Drama series on Radio
Nigeria –Benin in the 60’s, and 70’s. Mr. Felix Ogie was hired to handle the Programme Una Good
Morning in Nov.1979 on Radio Bendel. The Programme debuted on Wednesday 2nd January 1980 at
06.05 to 07.00. In its first month, it became a household programme which families wake up to hear
before going to work. By the end of the year, the body of programme members had been more than
convinced that Una Good Morning had become one of the Nations star programmes.
In content, “Una Good Morning show” (as Felix Ogie later christened it) is embedded with materials
that appealed to the young and Old. Its objective of entertaining, informing and educating went beyond
the Ordinary meaning of these words. Una Good Morning Show had become a social conscience which
the society could identify with as it also evaluated government programmes, highlighting the strength
and weaknesses of Government policies, providing constructive criticisms where necessary. Una Good
Morning Show was:
i. The first programme to introduce Telephone on Radio
ii. The first to start competitions on Radio
iii. The first to canvass for aid to the Disadvantaged in the society
iv. The first pidgin English program to be on Air continuously since 1980
 AWARDS AND HONOURS

Some of Mr. felix Ogie Odia’s numerous awards are:

1. Represented Nigeria in LANGBODO during Festac 1977 acting as Efo Iye 1977
2. Voted Actor of the year NTA Benin 1980
3. Commendation by NTA for the role of Iken in the Film “ IKEN” which won
International Awards 1980
4. Composer and Director of the Year Award by Bishop P.E. Ekpu, Catholic Diocese
Of Benin City 1986
5. I. C. E literary Award 1986
6. Best Overall student Award (DPA) UNIBEN 1990
7. Member knight of St. Mulumba 1991
8. Edo State Productivity Merit award 1999
9. Outstanding Service Award by Rotaract club ,New Benin , Benin City 2000
10. Best Pidgin English programme by Student Union Government ,
College of Eduaction Ekiadolor 2001
11. Certificate of Honour -Edo State Association of the Blind 2001
12. Human Rights Award for Journalism-J. D.P. C Benin Archdiocese 2003
13. Greatest Radio Moderator in Nigeria-Personal Award
by Mr. Charles Omoro Okpei, Veteran broadcaster 2005
14. Film Patriot Award ( Order of Pioneers) by forum for Inculturation of Liturgical
Music (Nigerian Universities) 2005
15. Merit Award by Edo Broadcasting Service for Moderating
UNA GOOD MORNING SHOW, a Pidgin English programme
from 2nd January 1980 till date. 2005
16. Award of Papal knighthood of the Order of St. Sylvester
by His Holiness, Pope benedict XIV 2005
17. HENRI DUNAT HUMANITARIAN Award by the Nigerian Red Cross 2007
18. Uselu Catholic Deanery Choir, Archdiocese of Benin City
–Merit Award for Priceless contributions to the development of Catholic choirs 2008
19. Catholic men Organization (C.M.O) Benin City
Merit Award in a pillar of support for C.M.O 2011
20. LIFE ACHIECEMENT AWARD by New covenant Bible Church , Benin City 2012

An Extra ordinary Minister of the Holy communion; he is married with children to Mrs. Christiana .A.
Odia (L S M ) a Retired Director ,Board of Internal Revenue , Benin City.
 UNA GOOD MORNING SHOW

On Wednesday morning, January 2nd 1980, Mr. Felix Ogie Odia’s concept, a Pidgin English program
tagged “Una good morning”-with Newman Okoh (RIP) as Manager of Programs, premiered on Edo
Broadcasting service AM Radio (then known as “Radio Bendel”)

Later metamorphosing into a show and subsequently called “Una Good Morning show” (UGMS), it
ignited much interest from listeners within 3 months of its existence.

“Felix Ogie” as he is fondly called on the show, later expanded the concept with more intrigues to
enhance the SHOWs status” e.g adding the Phone -in /Complaints segment, (making it the first Live
show in Nigeria to practice this method of Communication with the public in Nigeria then), adding 2 new
crew members - Sunny Ogbeide and Oti Onofomi as its “crew Members”, Quiz competition, Special
request section, guess the artist etc.

The program continued for years, generating much public Interest and on a fateful weekend, Mr.Felix
Ogie started the show much later than scheduled, apologizing and explaining to the general public the
reason behind the delay (due to the Stringently introduced measures towards monthly
sanitation).Unknown to him, the Bendel State Military Administrator-Governor Useni was also a diehard
fan and phoned in to the show, donating a Peugeot Station Wagon before the next weekend (a premiere
in Bendel Broadcasting service at that time) to facilitate logistics. Alas! albeit with Humor, Music etc, the
State Government had now recognized its Citizenry’s most popular and sincere channel of
communicating to it (the station enjoys this communication status till date)

Not resting on its oars, the SHOW competed against its existing achievements, introducing Investigative
Journalism, LIVE Transmission via the Out .Broadcasting Van transmitters ;broadcasting in Hospitals,
Town Halls ,and various locations in the state ( another novelty for a Radio show then) etc.

It has contributed immensely also by expending itself as a platform for philanthropy to so many less
privileged Nigerians (first amongst whom is Mr. Urobosa Osawaru , a blind citizen who saw his Primary
to Tertiary institution via the platform and later gained appointment to work with BBS. Real time
Whistle blowing, Melting pot issues from the general public and other activities too numerous to
mention have featured in the show at different times. In a nutshell, it has served as a blueprint for Live
Radio Shows in Nigeria and beyond.

The show currently has 12 crew members and has recorded over 1600 editions making it the oldest
program on Radio in Nigeria today (yet another Novelty?) and is still being aired on Edo Broadcasting
Service FM radio till date

-Odia Julius Etin-osa (©August 2012)