As Nigeria was preparing to see the dawn of a civilian rule of the 2nd Republic on Oct 1st, 1979, a child was somewhere in a hospital at Onitsha, Anambra state kicking to jump out of her mother’s womb. By 12 midnight on same day, that child successfully made it and shouts of Hallelujah rented the air around the hospital that midnight, and a destiny child was born and his name is Chinonso Uba.
Before his birth, her mother underwent certain difficulties and critical challenges at his pregnancy. That was why Chinonso’s birth was heralded with so much pomp and praises to the Almighty God!
He is the fourth son and the fifth child in a family of surviving seven, as the family lost two during and after the Biafran war. A native of Umuokwaranyanwu Umuokparafor Umunoha in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, Nnosonkwa’s life has remained a riddle.
Chinonso Uba was born by a police officer father and a teacher mother who gave him and his siblings thorough training and discipline.
Nonso showed signs of greatness even as a kid in Kindergarten at Ogui Rd Nursery & Primary school Enugu, where he was enrolled at age 3. He went further to access Nursery & Primary education in the same school but had to make a change when his father, late Christopher Uba, was transferred to Owelli Court Police station in Awgu LGA of Enugu State. While in the primary school, Nonso showed love for his father’s language, Igbo as he was the only pupil who was able to read the Igbo textbooks for the whole class. This made his teachers to always give him the Agumagu Igbo to read during Igbo classes, hence the dawn of a power house in Igbo rendition!
Nonso was admitted into Sacred Heart Seminary Nsude in 1992 where his various talents were harnessed. He joined the seminary choir where he trained his voice as a singer and which later in life helped him as a musician, hence the name “NONSONKWA”.
Nonso became popular in the seminary due to his funny and liberal character, spreading laughter wherever he went. He was so much loved by both teachers and students. His nickname back then in the seminary was SWAGGER. This was as a result of the senior seminarian he served then, who is now a Catholic Priest, Rev Fr. (Dr) Damian Udechukwu, students used to call him Swagger too.
In pursuit of higher education, Nonso got admission in the Imo State University and graduated in 2004, served his father’s land and established a private secondary school in Ifakala Mbaitoli LGA. Immaculate Comprehensive Secondary School Ifakala became a replica of a seminary where discipline is the watchword. Parents till date are still grateful for what the school has done in the lives of their wards.
Nonso also established a nursery & primary school, Immaculate Kids Academy to compliment the efforts of the former. For love of acting, he established an acting school in Owerri Solid Rock Movie Academy. As a musician, he has a label Immaculate entertainment Ltd, the company that marketed his first gospel song in 2003 and consequently in 2008, 2010 & 2012.
He has impacted so much on the society as an individual and growing young man.
His talent took him to Radio Nigeria Heartland Fm Owerri in 2009 as a radio dramatist, but in 2012, he was drafted to Igbo department of the station under the tutelage of Mr Peter Nnadi “Sir P”, from there Nonso became what he is today.
The broadcasting job has taken him to some places where he improved on the job, experiencing hitches here and there but glory to God, those hurdles made him a better presenter today.
His breakthrough came with Darling FM Owerri where his dexterity and flexibility were unleashed to the world. Today in Imo and some parts of South East and South/South Regions, his programmes have become the most listened to. His morning Newspaper review remains the best informative programme on radio. Nonso changed the narrative of Igbo broadcast in Imo state and beyond. The dexterity he brings to the job is second to none. His other programmes are unarguably the talk of the town; OBODOBUIGWE is another hit with over 2million listeners. This programme is voted the most controversial radio show ever because of the bluntness and accuracy of information passed. We won’t end this without saying that Nonsonkwa has used his programmes to speak for the people and draw governments attention to the complaints of the people. Today, he has been honoured by churches, organizations and individuals.
The title OCHIAGHA N’IKUKU NKE MBU NA ALA IGBO was given to him by Ohaneze Ndi Igbo. This title simply means he speaks for the Igbo Nation. Umunoha is proud of him, Mbaitoli is happy with him, Mbaike is grateful he is from their federal constituency, Ndi Imo are proud of their son and the entire Igbo Nation is solidly behind him, as he celebrates his 40th birthday today October 1st, 2019. Having spent 11 years out of 40 in marriage with 4 beautiful kids and still counting, hahahahaha, we his children are praying for God’s continued protection and direction in his life, as he serves God and Man. Amen
Happy birthday!!
Chidera Quintus Uba
