Rivers State-born music sensation, Mr. Emmanuel Amakiri aka Oba Omega, who was recently honoured with the Best New-Artiste of the year 2010 Award at the Niger Delta Achievement Awards (NDAA) held in Benin, has attributed his award to creativity, hardwork and uniqueness in his career as an artiste.

The “Krikata” Master’s  album titled ‘Identity’ is currently enjoying massive air play in radio and television stations in Port Harcourt.           The toast of music lovers in the Niger Delta region, Amakiri, told newsmen in his office at the Boomeraag Night Club, Rumuogba that the award is dedicated to God who gave him the wisdom and strength, his mother who was a renowned local musician and the less privledged because he was once in their shoes.

On his exploits in the music clan, he said he has been in the industry as a performing musician for a very long time, but he was based outside the country.

According to him he spent most of his career in Ghana and Algeria and was the first Nigerian artiste to make a hit with his music in the franco phone countries, before he returned home following the outbreak of war in Liberia.

The big time artiste who sings African contemporary music, sokus and high life, said his sojourn in foreign countries helped him to acquire experience and style, stressing that his recent award is the third since he started his music career.

Oba Omega described late Oliver de Coque as a creative singer and his godfather that  is why he incorporated one of his songs ‘Funny Funny Identity’ into his album and titled it “Identity”.

He said he intends to take his music round African countries while his final target is America.

On piracy, the performing artiste said “we encourage the pirates to dominate our market, without them there is no way for some of the upcoming artistes who approach them to mix their songs and they help to popularise the artistes”.

 According to him the pirates are having their way because government is not involved in entertainment industry which is the biggest business in the world.

He therefore called on government to collaborate with the performing musicians association of Nigeria (PMAN) and Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to move the industry forward.

Apart from Oba Omega, Duncan mighty and Akas Baba also won awards as best Artiste of the year and Best Radio presenter of the year respectively. The awards was organised by Bonox Entertainment Publishers of Jevenic Magazine.  

Jacob Obinna