I have a friend who is so simple yet exudes creativity. I have a friend who is simple, yet sophisticated. I have a friend who was ahead of his time, but his choice of contentment kept him grounded. I have a friend who was called Psalm 40!
Please, join me as I tell you a story of uniqueness.
In 2008, I met Agih Unekwu Moral, somewhat by chance. This was a time when listening to and miming the artists of our youth like Westlife, Boyz II Men, and Craig David, had influenced us so much that we discovered the creativity within us and aspired to become musicians. It was such a beautiful time that I began my journey of writing over a thousand never-recorded songs.
As a young man waiting to study Chemical and Petrochemical Engineering at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, I knew that the music in me would have to take a back seat for a while. But when I gained admission and my late mother said she didn’t want me to go to Port Harcourt anymore, I knew something in me had changed forever.
I wanted to attend any tertiary institution and rewrite its standards for academic excellence. Achieving this dream through Engineering would have been a dream come true. But that decision; my mother’s decision, to stop me because of the school’s location forever altered my path. It launched the writer in me, and from that moment, I began to see education as something I only needed to complete for my parents.
This was a time when we had just witnessed the rise of 2Face Idibia, Face Alone, and Blackface Naija as solo artists. It was the era when the Nigerian music scene embraced the R&B trio Styl-Plus, Paul IK Dairo with his banger “Angel of My Life,” and even Kogi-born Darey Art Alade. But the funny thing was that the Konto music sounds from Ajegunle; African China, Marvelous Benji, Daddy Shockey, Flectaman, The Junglists, Tanker & Mansion, and even Hadji Bright & Superwhite, had a stronger influence on how musicians in Kogi State formed their art.
For those of us who wanted to do R&B, we knew it was a dilemma, because our preferred sound wasn’t the mainstream preference. So, I focused more on songwriting, hoping that, someday, I could sell my compositions. That’s why it was a beautiful moment when I first listened to the sounds of Agih Moral and smiled.
We met when he was helping another friend put together his first album to launch his music career. I admired how selfless he was, guiding a younger artist through the process of discovery. That was how our friendship started, but at the time, it wasn’t fully established.
When I honored my mother’s wishes and gained admission to study Geography and Planning at the then Kogi State University (KSU) in 2009, the real journey began. Moral was already a well-known music figure on campus, and he was one of those who decided who got what. Through his influence, I found my footing in the school’s social circles even before “Freshers’ Night.”
That period was filled with beautiful and memorable experiences. Through Moral, I met my friend Edime Edime II, known at the time as “Arch Angel,” a young comedian, MC, and campus actor through his organization, the Gallery of Talents (GOT). Those were the days of our long night walks to attend campus parties, lonely treks back from shows, and countless experiences we considered fun.
At the time, KSU had many other amazing artists like Street MIC “Ajofe”, Mr. Fab “BLACK FAB”, Shizzle “Track 5”, AD the Rapking, and rhyme masters T-Koko and Emmy Rhymes Iko-ojo; alongside an endless list of comedians.
The biggest breakthrough came when Agih Moral led us in forming KSU Entertainers, a group that would later define the path for many creatives and change how society perceived their art. It’s heartwarming to remember the likes of Emmysan “MC Swagger,” Templeman, T-Koko, Embrace D’ Governor (Ino Moses Jonah), and a few other founding members. Before long, the movement became everybody’s thing and a movement was born.
Through this organization, performing artists on campus were, for the first time in history, paid for their performances. It became mandatory for any individual or organization hosting an event on campus to submit a request to KSU Entertainers, specifying the number of creatives needed and paying a stipend upfront. We also influenced who became the school’s Director of Socials long before any official contest took place, ensuring that our choice truly represented the students’ will.
This initiative raised awareness among creatives at KSU, teaching them that their passion was not just a hobby but a business. It instilled in them the value of placing a price on their art, and big success stories emerged.
It was amazing how “Fitumi” became an anthem at KSU when Agih Moral dropped it just before leaving school. Everyone loved it, even those who didn’t understand the lyrics danced and sang along. Those moments remain fresh in our memories. For those who didn’t live through that era with us, it might be difficult to grasp how much impact we had, but that movement forever transformed showbiz in Kogi State; even if it didn’t realize it at the time.
Kings were born, and kings were made!
Moral, I am telling your story today because many see you only as a musician, but you are so much more than that. Even some of the creatives who unknowingly benefited from the structure you helped build might not realize your contributions, but it’s worth telling. It’s time we learn to start celebrating ourselves for the little and big wins.
Thank you for your impact, my brother and friend, Agih Unekwu Ójó Moral. Take your flowers.