A Tribute to Bright Osadebe: a High Profile Highlife Musician From Anioma

Born Chief Adimabua Sylvester Osadebe popularly known as “Bright” in the Nigerian music circle. He was born at Akwukwu-igbo in Delta state, Nigeria February, 22nd 1938 to Paul and Alice Nwauka Osadebe. He can best be described as a soldier cum musician who could not be marched in his life time especially as far as highlife music was concerned.

He was a native of Ogbeobi, Isieke in Umuekea, Ibusa, Delta state, south-south, Nigeria. With his music he brought happiness to Ibusans and indeed the people of Anioma where highlife music was then in vogue. As a child he was said to be particularly exhibiting musical talent at a very tender age as he was often seen singing while carrying out his domestic works. Though his Dad who was more concerned with his educational pursuit would not allow him go into music because he wanted him to complete his education first.

Bright Osadebe was one highlife musician that brought consolation to the people of Ibusa way back after the civil war that rocked the country in the late 1960s and finds his place in the history of music in Ibusa, his home town as one of the few highlife musicians to emerge from the town. Michael Obanya from Umuekea was also a native of the town best known for his album sang in praise of “Oboshi”, a stream in the town held as a goddess by the people of the town though Michael Obanya died much earlier in life than expected, he is also seen as a great achiever in the history of highlife music in Ibusa. And history continues to remember him with his fast track beats in the world of highlife.

Chief Bright Osadebe having completed his standard six at the then missionary school known as Sacred Heart Primary School joined Inland water Works, Apapa. He was to later join the Nigerian Military where he joined the music department and within a short while conferred with the band leadership of that music department.

Following his personal conviction that he could further fulfill his natural gift in music he humbly retired from the Nigerian military, a development which saw him pursuing a career that was to bestow on him an invaluable fame. When granted interview years back by “Prestos Music Org” an American outfit interested in the promotion and development of African core music, he stated that music had always lived in him and that he chose a kind of music which he felt would speak to his people, thus positively impacting on their lives.

He released series of albums with a band he formed, named “Bright Osadebe and his Jolly Sound Makers” and maintained until his death. His first album titled “Ezinne” (sweet mother) released in 1976 was to a very large extent a success in the music industry because it really assuaged the people of Anioma region after seven years after the civil war ended and helped to remind them that successes were still ahead of them despite the detriments caused occasioned by the war. “Ezinne” was believed to be a dedication to his mother whom he showered with so much love and regard. Ezinne was a slow tone sang in praise of a “mother” believed to be his. This tone acknowledged that a mother was still a mother whether beautiful or not.

The album was to later become what someone then described as the “national anthem of the women of Ibusa” Ezinne was followed with another album titled “Ekene” which though was a hit but not as much as “Ezinne”. Perhaps, Ekene which means greeting in the language of Ibusa was an instrument of campaign for the realization of the creation of Anioma state which was then in agitation.

He was noted to have entertained guests in several social functions within and outside Anioma region. He took up the “Alor traditional title” in Ibusa. Bright could best be described as a friend of all as he was highly an affable and gregarious person often concerned with the interest and betterment of everyone. It was however not surprising that his home was a home to all with the small and big hospitably gathering for one reason or the other.

This great highlife maestro died on the 26th of February 2008 after a protracted illness having to do with the medical amputation of one his legs and was consequently laid to rest March, 28th 2008 with full traditional honours and with Okpanam Wonder masqueraders displaying their wondrous deeds in the very traditional way they are known. His funeral ceremony was termed the “the exit of a Hero” by his children. At his funeral ceremony were the members of his defunct Jolly Sound Makers Band coming together once more for the final time to perform his old tunes as the last respect in his honour. His son Ndubuisi and Chukwunwenye led the group at different stages in those memorable hours of his wake-keep. Left to mourn him is his wife, Theresa Anwuli Osadebe, and children. May his Lord rest his soul in perfect peace. Amen.