Amas Grill, Iwobi and Okocha

by Emeka Obasi

LAGOD, NIGERIA – Gbubemi Amas Amanoritsewor ! The name  with tall credentials that connected events and people and even when not duly recognised by Nigeria,  ventured abroad to excel. A true global citizen, he rests at Oystermouth  Cemetery, beneath the sands of  Swansea, Wales.

I call him  Amas Grill,  the title of his album released in 1981. As a student of the University of Benin, I could listen to the track, Ereyon,  all day long. Chris Okotie and Jide Obi were doing their thing as  undergraduates of the  University of Nigeria Nsukka ( UNN ).

Amas was on a higher plane. He studied  Fine and Applied Arts at UNN and his music got me thinking. There was something so special about Amas. I knew it, I felt it and I breathed it. Listening to Ereyon reminds me of  Hugh Masakela and Kassav. Let me blow his trumpet.

Amas did not leave Nsukka. He lived in Nsukka, found a soulmate, returned to the town and his works continue to speak. The man connected Onitsha, Benin, Ogwashi Ukwu, Warri before moving to the United Kingdom.

Oby Iwobi studied Law at UNN while Amas applied Arts to his fine voice. She could not argue with her heart. Marriage was inevitable. The Iwobis of Onitsha got a Warri man as in- law. Oby’s younger brother was not a musician. Chuka Iwobi played ball and listened to good music.

Amas married a lawyer and got a lawyer brother – in – law. Chuka Iwobi played for the Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha Greater Tomorrow team in 1975. That year, the school’s senior team won the East Central State Secondary Schools soccer trophy.

A team that had Nnamdi Anyafo, Nwachukwu Onyekwelu, Vincent Chika, Mike Ochiagha and Clement Nwuba did not earn much respect until they dethroned defending champions, Holy Ghost College, Owerri in the grand finale. The losers were given a 5 – 1 drubbing. We are talking of a side that paraded Okey Isima, Emma and Tony Merenini, Titus Okere, Jones Habor  Kingsley Ufere and Adolphus Dike.

Iwobi’s Greater Tomorrow team was captained by Ejike Ekwueme. He also became a lawyer after studying History. Today, Ekwueme holds a PhD in Law. Iwobi continued with soccer and from Vasco Da Gama, Enugu ended up at Femo Scorpions Eruwa with Peter Rufai. Ekwueme moved round, from Calabar Rovers to Acada United, Jetimo and Rangers.

Amas was still entertaining at his Nite Club in Warri, known as  De Rabbit. In 1987, he returned to Nsukka to open Anthill Poetry and Jazz Club, with his friend Chinenye Mba- Uzoukwu who studied Political Science at UNN. He is presently, Managing Director, Info Graphics.

Amas knew his  brother – in – law as a footballer. Football and music go together. Chuka Iwobi ( Mehalla)  carried soccer into marriage. He dribbled to Ogwashi Ukwu to marry Austin Okocha’s sister. Austin’s elder brother, Emma, had won African Nations Cup silver with the Eagles in 1990.

It was all music and football when Chuka Iwobi’s son, Alex, came in 1996.  Jay Jay Okocha was doing cha cha cha in Turkey with his cleats. Guests began to dance the old cha cha cha.

Amas relocated to the United Kingdom in 2000, from London he settled in Swansea. His star continued to shine. Arts was his passion and he excelled. A good sculptor, Amas’ works are part of the collections of Nelson Mandela and the Prince of Wales.

In 2018, Amas was honoured as one of the Brilliant Black and Top Welsh 100 People. That was after spending 17 years in Swansea. He also wrote a short play, ‘Dancilla in Rwanda’. An all rounder, no doubt he also had health to grapple with.

On March 26, 2023 Amas succumbed to pancreatic cancer. He battled it but remained strong. On April 28, his son, Toju and daughter, Wumi, led mourners to their dad’s funeral in Swansea. The  global family was very well represented.

Chuka Iwobi’s tribute was moving. ” Gbubs”, he wrote, “you meant different things to different people – Jazz king, Creative artist, Master drummer, Comedian but to us you were an elder brother, someone who made us laugh and someone we could trust.”

Ilobi Asika wrote : ” I came to know Amas through his friend, Prof. Jachimike Adiele. Amas became very much like a brother and best friend.” According to Emma Onua, “nobody ever met Amas and remained the same afterwards.”

The Olu of Itsekiri, Ogiame Atuwatse III should do me this favour, Amas deserves to be celebrated in Warri. What about setting up a committee to work this out. Tee Mac Omatshola could be the head. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Eyimofe Atake, Sam Omatseye, Omawumi and Amaju Pinnick should play active roles.

The Olu has a Bini wife. Amas was at Edo College, Benin and his sister, Tuoyo, is married to an Eweka. His daughter, Wumi, like father, found love in Igbo land. Her husband is Buchi Madu.

Alex Iwobi is in mourning. His cousins are mourning. My prayer is that Everton should not join Swansea in the lower division next season. Amas was an entertainer, I see the Iwobis playing and dancing to ‘Ereyon Omila’ by the end of this month.

Gbubemi Amanoritsewor was born in Benin City in May 1955. He left behind his wife, Oby, two children, four grandchildren, four brothers and a sister.