My Story

Born in Kinshasa, I have lived in the United Kingdom since the age of 14 years ago where I have completed all my education, with recent accomplishment being the achievement of master’s degree in project management at the university of Westminster London. 

In 2016, I gave a TEDx Talk entitled “Living On The Edge” which summed up the multi-facet of my life. From juggling motherhood and family life, full time career, to establishing a non-profit organisation and business with a social mission and everything else in between.  

Although, it may appear easy from a bird’s eye view, nothing in life is easy but I believe all things are possible with the help of God and the I – can – do – it attitude coupled with great organisation skills, passion and determination to succeed no matter how many times you fail.  

I am Roger Okewole and 9ja Pop Art is a peek into my imagination!

INSPIRATIONS: More than Dali, Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein is my main artistic inspiration. I couldn’t have been older than eight when Mom was showing me Lichtenstein’s works in World Book Encyclopedia.

BEGINNINGS: My parents bought a few of those thick coffee table art books with photos of the great paintings by Old Masters, alongside Greek and Roman sculptures. I was studying anatomy and perspective from those books from a very early age. My folks also bought me every age-appropriate comic book they could find, which truly unlocked my imagination.

I first exhibited in a gallery when I was about 11 years old. I was designing costumes and banners for carnivals in Nigeria when I was in my early teens. I was 16 when I got my first graphics job with an advertising agency in Lagos.

I worked as a graphic artist while at college in Nigeria and the USA. I did all this without a single day in art school. My folks insisted I follow the “responsible eldest son” path and I got a Civil Engineering degree and an MBA.

Then things changed…After about a 10-year hiatus spent climbing the corporate ladder, I formed 9ja Pop Art to bring my artistic side back to life.

MEDIA: I mostly use pencils, inks, watercolor pencils and computer graphics; I like to mix it up and my creative impulses tend to go in very different directions. The only thing I never do is photobashing

I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I have!!!

My art business has been designated as a “Trusted Art Seller” with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.

EVERY Thursday’s on WHATS UP NAIJA, Tide 96.0FM Radio in Germany from 10am. (GERMAN TIME )www.tidenet.de/radio

LISTEN TO WHATS UP NAIJA with The Multi Award Winner- Tony Airhenbuwa

THIS SATURDAY Music & poetry With Tanzanite events

Please SHARE, SHARE & SHARE this flyer with your Friends, Family, Neighbours and Colleagues, invite them all to celebrate; African Culture, African creativity, African art, African talent and entertainment with us here @ Tanzanite_events.We look forward to seeing you all there.

You will stay true, even when the lies come.

You will stay true, even in the chaos.

Your word is truth. And I’m standing in it.

I see a peace far beyond. And I’m standing in it.

For all the promise you made, I will stand tall.

I know this darkness will fade away someday.

You are the keeper of peace. PEACE is the promise you keep.

Oyèdókùn Ìbùkún Penawd

Ogiame Atuwatse III

Did you listen to the speech he gave during his coronation?

Did you see how his wise articulating words drenched our minds with wisdom?

How they fell upon the hungry ears of his subjects

So aggressively like the rainfall after August break

And flowed ceaselessly and seamlessly like the Warri River

Oh! I can tell that the Warri River felt a different surge on that faithful day

It will forever testify of his ability, agility and capacity.

Ogiame Atuwase III, may your reign be smoothSmoother and more colourful than the boat ride on that day

.Did you follow up with the worship session he led?

I can tell you were blessed.

Even the enemies felt terrified and fled

See how he prayed for the healing of the land that once bled

Did you study his countenance?

Calm, cool and comely.

His regalia made us appreciate more the beauty of our culture

And the heritage birthed from our tradition.It was a display of vigor and strength

An exhibition of royalty in utmost simplicity and dignity.

How can we forget in a hurry the authority in his voice?

The charisma and character is desirable.Did you perceive the alluring fragrance of his boldness?

It blew across the land like the strong wind that made the palm tree to bow

And made the other trees to whistle and dance in excitement.

Ogiame Atuwase III,

may your reign be long May Your kingdom

promote His Kingdom

May you rule with wisdom

And may the people sing a new song.

© Jerome Okeme

The amazing Marcia Griffiths (Queen of Reggae) and one of the greatest living household names in the music industry was a guest on THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ SHOW on Sunday the 22nd of August 2021.

Listen to the short interview on the link HERE – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qdbm4J2-eck&t=734s

Marcia Llyneth Griffiths, better known as Marcia Griffiths, is a Jamaican Reggae singer. Hailing from the land of Reggae and music i.e. Kingston, Jamaica, Griffiths’ success is due to her captivating voice and smooth love songs along with her wonderful live performances. Over the course of her career, she has produced most of her music in the Reggae genre and has also tried her bit in the Roots Reggae too. Being active from 1964, Griffiths has had associated acts with The Wailers, I Threes, and Bob and Marcia. 

Griffiths started singing professionally at the tender age of 15 when she performed on stage with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. She was brought to the mainstream music industry by Philip James of The Blues Busters, who heard her singing in her neighborhood. Right after her performance, she was offered singing contracts by Clement Dodd and Ronnie Nasralla of which she chose the former and produced a series of duets for the Studio One label. Her popular duets are with Tony Gregory, Bob Andy, Bob Marley, and Jeff Dixon. Her career from then onwards sky-rocketed and she has collected accolades from all around the world. In 2014, she received the Jamaican Order of Distinction for her work in the reggae music industry.

I am a Jamaican marketer and brand strategist whose career started as an artist manager and event producer. With an uncanny balance of left and right brain, I leverage my ability to conceptualize, create and communicate, with the ability to organize, coordinate and execute to guarantee great results every time. 

I have worked as a brand consultant at different levels across all sectors of the Jamaican Creative Industries – music, theatre, advertising, events, media. From crafting communications plans for the Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths and Jamaica’s Songwriting Icon, Bob Andy to producing radio programmes at the RJRGleaner Group, I have gathered a wealth of experience along her career.

For the last 6 years I have focused most of my energies as an advertising creative director and strategist to transform brands like Grace, Digicel, PNP, JPS, and NCB. As a consultant, I have been instrumental to the strategic launch and growth of several businesses and startups including Muse 360, ICPI, Nanook Enterprises, Rose Cottage Farms and The LAB Ltd. 

My years of experience and vast network makes me an ideal leader or addition to any team. I am considered a walking directory and compass for navigating Jamaica’s evolving orange economy by colleagues.

COMING SOON ON THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ SHOW – THE AMAZING QUEEN OF REGGAE – MARCIA GRIFFITHS -WATCH THIS SPACE

ALSO TAKE 2 SECS TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT http://www.youtube.com/user/etekatoks

ABOUT MARCIA GRIFFITHS

Marcia Llyneth Griffiths, better known as Marcia Griffiths, is a Jamaican Reggae singer. Hailing from the land of Reggae and music i.e. Kingston, Jamaica, Griffiths’ success is due to her captivating voice and smooth love songs along with her wonderful live performances. Over the course of her career, she has produced most of her music in the Reggae genre and has also tried her bit in the Roots Reggae too. Being active from 1964, Griffiths has had associated acts with The Wailers, I Threes, and Bob and Marcia. 

Griffiths started singing professionally at the tender age of 15 when she performed on stage with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. She was brought to the mainstream music industry by Philip James of The Blues Busters, who heard her singing in her neighborhood. Right after her performance, she was offered singing contracts by Clement Dodd and Ronnie Nasralla of which she chose the former and produced a series of duets for the Studio One label. Her popular duets are with Tony Gregory, Bob Andy, Bob Marley, and Jeff Dixon. Her career from then onwards sky-rocketed and she has collected accolades from all around the world. In 2014, she received the Jamaican Order of Distinction for her work in the reggae music industry.

Dr. Akpo Onduku

Dr. Akpo Onduku has a passion for winning souls and church planting. He is an astute leadership and motivational speaker who has spoken in both secular and Christian conferences around the world. He has a great drive to inspire people in discovering and maximizing their potential to enable them to fulfill their purpose in life. He possesses postgraduate degrees in Public Administration, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies and Law from universities across Europe, Africa and the USA. He holds other professional qualifications such as a certificate in PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills) from the USA. Dr. Onduku is a consultant in peace and conflict resolution and has worked as a university researcher and Christian charity worker in Florida, USA. He is a strong believer in the power of prayer and the manifestation of the power of God through miracles.

Dr. Akpo Onduku has been the Resident Pastor of Chapel of Grace since January 4th 2009. Prior to this, he was a serving minister in RCCG, Strongtower Parish Bradford which he pioneered along with three other adults in 2002.

He returned to Bradford after a two year stay in Miami, Florida where he served in a Zonal Headquarter church (RCCG Victory Parish) and helped to coordinate a new parish in West Palm Beach, Florida, (RCCG Latter Rain Parish). He believes in teaching the word of God with simplicity to develop confident leaders for the future.

He is passionate in winning the lost and seeing the captives set free through healing and deliverance. On his return to Bradford, Dr. Onduku also pioneered and facilitated the quarterly 24 hour prayer chain.

Beyond this, he has also been involved in several other evangelistic crusades and programmes within the UK and in various other parts of the world.  Additionally he is a lecturer of The School of Disciples in various campus in the North of England.