•A Life Lived Through Music…
Ruth Ejiro Emokiniovo was born in Sapele, Delta State on the 22nd April, 1987 to the family of Okunbo. As a child, music was her passion and escape. She was surrounded by music as a child. She turned to music for solace. She loved God and the things of God with an undying passion. She developed skills in drawing and didn’t follow through because her passion for music consumed her.
With her incursion into music at the Teenage Choir Church of God Mission, Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria, Ruth Ejiro Emokiniovo’s trajectory mirrored that of many of her fellow musical peers. Bitten by the music bug at an early age and subsequently graduating from the teenage church to youth then adult church- all in the music department. Her destiny was woven around the threads of sol-fa notations, vocal dexterity and a life on hinged on performing to the nouveau rich.
With a gift so pure and heavenly, yet earthly used to gladden the ears, hearts and soul of men, she took the plunge to partake in a keenly contested challenge and won the delta Delta Talent Quest (DTQ), a yearly talent showcase organised by Nollywood veteran, Mr Richard Mofe-Damijo, who doubles as a former Commisioner in Delta State.
In the course of the keen contest, she met the man of her youth, Desmond Emokiniovo, her husband, friend and confidant who was equally a judge and producer at the competition. Thereon, they struck a responsive chord and the spark of love blossomed until her death. She was the Managing Director of Veentage Band, whilst the hubby is the Chief Executive Officer. Together they made magic.The union is blessed with a four year old son Oghebekome Ovie Akpevwe Emokiniovo.
After the competition, her husband played a key role in seeing her record singles and a yet-to be released album. Some of the songs from the singles include- stole my heart away, who you really are, number one and delta pikin amongst a long list. It is instructive to note that the competition brought her to the fore, thereon, she experienced a great leap career wise.
The late singer was smiley, warm, convivial and a peacemaker.
Weaving a tapestry of rich and royal hue, Ejiro’s affecting musical presence across the length and breadth of Nigerian’s big halls and event venues, eased listeners readers through her life, from the girlhood in Sapele, Delta State where she was already jotting down lyrics and her adult years that culminated musically with incursion into recognition, through her growing up, marriage and songwriting years with her husband,Desmond Emokiniovo; her deep commitment to music and philanthropy.Years down the line,one thing stood her out – her passion for music,smartness, selfless spirit, unassuming demeanour, humility and open-mindedness.
One of the most deeply personal albums of Ejiro’s career, communicates in song the hard truths and spiritual insights she has gathered throughout her life and reflects the resilience that sustains her still. Comprised entirely of songs written by Ejiro, the singles premieres new compositions alongside soulful reinterpretations of enduring classics from her catalog.
Ejiro in her lifetime, was a very great voice with distinctive performance. For everyone who encountered her, you couldn’t help but be smitten by her rapturous voice, innocence, individualism, infectious smile, independent spirit, humorous candor, refreshing frankness, immense talent and humility.
She was an indispensable charm that drew the high and mighty to becoming fans of the fast rising band.
She re-created onstage the atmosphere that millions would now have to expect from the release of her recorded singles she recorded before her demise. Her 2020 project was set for release of her fresh singles and re-position Ejiro , but again, God knows best.
Ejiro’s passionate engagement with all kinds of music, and her musical genius, is a delusion that eluded even the best critics. Her works which transcend age, class, colour and race have become a benchmark for women’s achievements in the music industry.
She was a key figure in Nigeria’s live band music scene, a pioneer in new music, and an intensely emotional force whose following continues to grow even in death. Now that she’s gone, it’ll be a herculean task for anyone to fit into the space she’s left behind.
Ejiro, the warm music and smiley vocal powerhouse, when not at private functions, spent most of the time balancing her career, with responsibilities as a musician, wife and mother.
Experiencing her skilled craft for anyone, her voice came through strongly on every stage she performed , an engaging assortment of recollections.Ejiro had Jazz, Pop, Rhythm and blues running through her blood. As a collaborator, homemaker, singer and philanthropists, she, used her gift of voice to heal, entertain, and deliver humanity.
She has led a remarkable life of adventures, dreams and exploits with unflinching candor and sincerity. But most of all, Ejiro’s story is the story of the vocal powerhouse who made impact on the sands of time, in the music scene and ultimately triumphed remaining unwaveringly true to the music of her heart.
As a fashion conscious woman of pristine beauty and role model for a generation of women, her life tells the story of —a memoir of life as a musician, marriage, motherhood, independence, and as one of the few women in Live band music. Ejiro Emikiniovo is the fascinating chronicle of a remarkable journey and an extraordinary musician.
One of the most remarkable things about Ejiro Emokiniovo is how she renews her creativity time and again. She was always honing her craft. Her life was full of beauty and power, inspiration, kindness, boldness and hope. Ejiro was an undeniable Superstar.
For everyone who came in contact with her, a common thread that was manifest was that she was always smiley, warm, and convivial. She was a fierce, honest, cool, smart and dignified woman all rolled into one.
Ejiro, the unconventional musician, intensely intimate performer with a unique voice will be sorely missed…
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