Did you know that Ofonime Felix Okon (aka Udo Maryam) was made a chief at the age of three?
Did you know that Udo Maryam was already a national hero at the age of 5?
Did you know that when Udo Maryam began to play xylophone music at the age of three way back in 1990, little did he know that that would usher him into the world of recognition where he would begin in earnest to dine and wine with kings and princes?
Did you know that in 1992, when Udo Maryam played at the First Ladies International Conference, held in Lagos, the then Nigeria’s First Lady, the late Dr. Maryam Babangida was so impressed that she went up to the stage to lift him up?
Did you know that Mrs Babangida declared that , “This is my second son" and instantly earned him the name Udo Maryam?
Did you know that Ofonime Felix Okon and his group have performed before numerous heads of states and dignitaries around the world, including George Bush, Olusegun Obasanjo, Queen Elizabeth II, Sani Abacha and Ibrahim Babangida?
Did you know Dr Mrs Babangida offered to finance Ofonime's education up to university level and also took him along on her trips outside the country?
Did you know that Ofonime studied Business Management up to the Higher Diploma level at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene?
Did you know that Udo Maryam's father was a choirmaster in the Catholic Church in Akwa Ibom State?
Did you know that what Udo plays is called xylophone (Ikon-Eto)and that it is an African instrument, a sort of piano, made from woods and perfected to give it its own unique jingles and sounds?
Did you know that Okon spends an average of four hours three times every week to rehearse?
Did you know that Okon has groomed other youngsters to play the xylophone but remains the Master of the game?
This is one of our finest. He is about the same age as Akwa Ibom State. He has grown with the growth of our state. We celebrate him. God bless him now and alway.
#Dakkada #OrangeSeptember
-FINBARR
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