GOSPEL singer, Bigger Ibekwe, has said he is open to collaborating with government with his new single, ‘One Nigeria’.
The song which he released ahead of the country’s 59th Independence anniversary passed a message of unity and patriotism to Nigerians to promote Nigeria. It also infused lyrics in the three major languages – Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Ibekwe, who goes by the name, Mr Bigger, said: “I am ready to partner with National Orientation Agency. And we can see how we bring this music to primary schools. Who says in the mornings, when you’re singing the national anthem, who says you cannot try to tell them about the unity of Nigeria? Who says you cannot play this kind of music and ask the National Youth Service Corps members to march to it during their march parades?”
According to Mr Bigger, in Nigeria presently, “there is so much hatred, there is so much disillusion.”
“What I did in this work is a gospel,” he said.
“It’s gospel of unity, love, oneness.”
While he said the song is targeted at all Nigerians, Mr Bigger said the music should go to the younger ones.
“If leadership of the country wants to apply wisdom, music of this nature should be played and made to be available to the youngest of the young in every home so that children can grow up with it,” he said.
A graduate of Theatre Arts from University of Benin, Mr Bigger lived in Taiwan for 12 years and speaks Chinese, Japanese and Tagalog. Aside music, he also translates Mandarin.
Mr Bigger said got the gift of singing from his mother, Mrs. Uche Ibekwe, who also composes songs. He also shares his pride from hailing from Umunze, Anambra State where artistes like Flavour and MC Loaf and the world-famous Nkpokiti Dance came from. He said he went into music because he needed to express his creativity.
“So, I’m coming from a town where almost everybody is creative,” he said.
“While I was in the university, I was doing music. I was composing songs.”
However, it was only until 2015 that he started waxing songs. He has done two album so far – Rapture (2015), Heaven’s Telephone Number (2017).