Celestine Ukwu (1940 – 7 May 1977)[1] was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician during the 1960s and 1970s, best known for his hit songs "Ije Enu", "Igede" and "Money Palava".
At a young age, he began learning how to read music and play the harmonium with the help of his uncle who was a choirmaster and they traveled a lot.
[2] In 1962, Celestine Ukwu left teaching to join Mike Ejeagha's group Paradise Rhythm Orchestra at Enugu as a vocalist and maraca player and will later learn the odo (xylophone) which was later integral to his style.
Later he moved again, to Onitsha, where he fronted the Niger City Starlighters and their debut recordings scored hits like "No Condition is Permanent," "Artificial Beauty," "Appolonia," and "Ije Enu."
His lyrics convey philosophical depth and social awareness by tackling themes aimed at bettering society and humanity itself.
Similarly, Ukwu levied trenchant criticism against materialism in songs like Ego Eju Aka, which condemn the unbridled accumulation of wealth for its own sake.
Other songs imprint Igbo wisdom and identity by incorporating folk musical styles and lyrics pondering metaphysical questions about human nature.Ukwu boldly addressed specific societal issues as well.