Mazi Ukonu: Salute to An Unsung Superstar

COUNTERPOINT BY femi Akintunde-Johnson

Earlier this year, while finessing the writing of my latest book, ‘Reflections: Anthology of Thoughts on Nigerian Movie Industry…’ I was made aware of the eloquent accomplishments of one Nigerian who showcased his talents alongside winners of Grammys and Oscars in the entertainment center of the United States of America, even before Nigeria became independent. He was hardly known to the people of my generation, much less the generations afterwards – how do you honour whom you do not know? The little foothold I had on his incredible story dragged me to further inquiry, and below is the summary of the extraordinary life and talent of a unique African creative superstar who died a few days before the launch of the book in June, 2021, at a grand old age of 91 years.

“We had a fleeting knowledge of this old man, but the little we had was all about music and show business. So, it’s true when they say reading makes a man better…if he applies his heart to it. We became more enlightened and more deeply respectful on coming in contact with the true and ungarnished story of Mazi Anyogu Elekwachi Ukonu. Great thanks to Ed Emeka Keazor, the director of a historic and well-supplemented documentary, entitled The Legend of Mazi Ukonu. One was transformed into the chequered and impressive lives (he has virtually lived more than one or two lifetimes) of the man simply called Mazi Ukonu.

He marked his 90th birthday on March 5, 2020 by narrating his story with the verve and enthusiasm of a 50-year old folklorist – animated by the fond recollections of his exploits, and immeasurable contributions to global entertainment, and the Nigerian media. How do you describe a true African icon who shared sets with Hollywood darlings, Clark Gable, Susan Hayward, Tyrone Power, Robert Mitchum; and shared a performance stage with Harry Belafonte at the sparkling new Riviera Hotel, on the LA Strip.

Let’s bring it closer home: here was the man who mentored the broadcasting career of the great actor, Pete Edochie; who took ‘Lady of Songs’ Christy Essien as a greenhorn teenager, and strapping Sonny Okosuns under his wings when the one to become Ozziddi star was still a bumbling “mechanic on Aguiyi Road”! That last quote was scooped up by the mastermind of the easterly popular Ukonu’s Club of the 60s.

However, in spite of the excitement of awesome revelations, we have to begin at the outset of this incredible story, so as to fully comprehend the novelty, and his remarkable pedigree. Ukonu completed his early education at Elementary School, Igbere, Abia (1944) and Hope Waddell College, Calabar (1949). With the help of his older brother, he found himself in the USA (Los Angeles City College, California) around 1950, to study medicine. The death of his brother soon after toppled that dream, and since he was in the heart of the American capital of make-believe, he switched to UCLA to study Dramatic Arts – perhaps the first Nigerian to earn such a degree – in the year the first university in the East was founded, 1955.

To pay his way through school, he tapped into inner reserves of talents: worked all day at a hotel; and for night time, he set up a band (Afro-Calypsonians), created a dance and cultural show fused with Calypso, Highlife and African percussion. In fact, he made three EPs: Choba’m Aku Mo, Anyogu Ukonu and The Afro-Calypsonians (1955 – 1960). Remarkably, his music was rendered essentially in Ibo language.

Ukonu introduced the self-acclaimed world traveller, Olabisi Ajala to the producers of Hollywood movie, White Witch Doctor (headlined by Mitchum and Hayward) when he was unwilling to risk his student visa by working on an American movie set. He, however, joined the set of White Witch Doctor the next summer holiday. Ukonu was also an actor in the following Hollywood movies: Luis Bunuel’s Robinson Crusoe (1954); he was the gold trader in Untamed Youth (1955, starring multiple Oscar nominee, and winner, Susan Hayward and Tyrone Power). He played himself in Teacher’s Pet (1958) with the legendary Clack Gable (media-dubbed as ‘King of Hollywood’, Oscar winner, Gig Young; Doris Day, and Mamie Van Doren. He was also in Panama Sal (1958) with Elena Verdugo, Edward Kemmer and Carlos Rivas.

Ukonu returned to Nigeria in 1960, inflamed by the giddiness of independence from Britain. He was part of the official programming for the independence celebrations. Recognised and adored as a Hollywood returnee, and an acclaimed professional entertainer, he was part of the pioneering effort to set up the second television station in Nigeria, the Eastern Nigeria Television Service, ENTV. He launched the Ukonu’s Club (reminiscent of Art Alade’s Bar Beach Show on NTV); it was the Mecca of the top bands of that era: Rex Lawson, Victor Uwaifor, Victor Olaiya, etc, thronged his variety show.

Then the war came, and everything scattered. He suffered indescribably, like millions of his compatriots, from the harrowing effects of the civil war. But he withered through the storm, until January, 1970 when calm returned. He was back in Enugu, rebuilding the destroyed media structure, and rebuilding hope and passion in the hearts of his compatriots. Nine months after the war ended, he led the East Central State, (as they were then called post war) to the National Arts Festival, and won the Golden Gong (the first position)!

Ukonu represented, in those dark, trying days, an irrepressible strength and uncommon resilience that was necessary to rebuild, retool, and revamp for greater impact. He worked hard, along with others, to rebuild the new East Central Television Service; relaunching the Ukonu’s Club with even greater gusto, and wider appeal, on air, and in the physical, somewhere in Aba City. He ignited the fervent throbbing Afropop, Funk and psychedelic twangs of the 70s, which drew to his show, and his influence, the raving bands of the 70: Wrykkers’ Experience, The Apostles, The Funkees, Hygrades, Aktion, and so many others.

Such was the incremental influence of Mazi Ukonu that he was, at different times, the Controller of Programmes at NTA Enugu (1974 -1975); at NTA Aba (1975 – 1976); Director of Programmes, Enugu (1976 – 1977), and General Manager (1977 – 1984).

Mazi Ukonu would (have been 92 years old) on March 5, 2022. What a life! What an influence. What grace to see and hear from such a boisterous spirit of creativity.”