Noted for his excellent body of work in the entertainment industry, Obi Asika can be described as one of the most consistent creative industry entrepreneur. However, having worked for over 20 years behind the scene, not many know some interesting facts about the newest member of the Nigerian Idol judges.
1. HE IS MARRIED TO A YORUBA WOMAN
Obi Asika and Yetunde Bakare-Asika got married in 2009. Yetunde is a Criminal Law Litigator, Human Rights Lawyer, Intellectual Property and Entertainment Lawyer. She earned a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) and a double Master of Laws (LL.M) in Corporate Commercial Law and Intellectual Property Law from Holborn College of Law, UK. Their first daughter Nuli was born in 2012. The two have remained married since then and share sweet moments on social media.
2. HE IS A TITLED MEMBER OF AGBALANZE IN ONITSHA
Born on 3 October 1968 in Onitsha, Anambra State, Asika has been vocal about his roots. He has been a titled member of the Agbalanze since 1994. When next you see him, you’re free to call him by his title, “Ogbuefi Ojinnaka”.
He recently launched the Iba Ajie, a community and resource center which houses a museum, a restaurant that sits 29 inside, co-working spaces, a research library with 2000 reference books in Onitsha, Anambra State. He noted that he chose no other place than Onitsha to launch the Iba Ajie Hub which according to him “is a salute to our culture, legacy and history but with its eyes firmly focused on the future”. The grand aim is that it becomes an art location and a place for story tellers to nurture and develop talents. He further noted that the hub was named Iba Ajie in honour of his late father H.E Ajie (Dr) Ukpabi Asika, CFR, who held over 70 traditional titles across Nigeria from all over this land actually retired all of them when he took the title in 1985. He hopes that the project would “stimulate positive actions and impact the community and the world by building bridges and making Onitsha more discoverable and accessible”.
3. HE IS ONE OF NIGERIA’S PIONEER RECORD LABEL EXECS
While studying at the university in UK, Asika was a DJ and promoter of over 200 events between 1987 and 1990 successfully organizing many concerts and entertainment events on campuses. He floated his own production company, Storm Productions in 1991 and has since then has been revered as one of Nigeria’s premier entertainment outfits. Obi Asika was the executive producer of Big Brother Nigeria 2006, The apprentice Africa 2008, Naija sings 2009-2012, Calabar festival 2008, Fifa Nigeria 99 and has been producing events and platforms for 30 years including being the co-founder of social media week, the storm stuff can be reduced, storm has not even run since 2012.
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4. HE JOINED NIGERIAN IDOL AS A JUDGE IN ITS 6TH SEASON
Obi Asika describes Nigeria as the “top 6 music market on the planet”. Having worked behind the scene and with many brands for many years, Nigerian Idol would be his first move in the transitioning process to his first on-screen event featuring as Judge for the franchise. He shares the platform which is currently running its 6th season alongside music heavyweights, Seyi Shay and DJ Sose.
5. HE IS UNCLE TO DAVIDO’S MANAGER, ASA ASIKA
Big uncle Obi Asika has a nephew named Asa Asika who is one of the biggest artist managers in Nigeria. Asa currently manages Davido with whom he has worked for about 10 years in the music industry. Asa is revered as one of the most influential artiste managers in Nigeria and is said to have gotten some of his knowledge from his uncle, Obi Asika while he interned at Storm 360 Records.
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