(Guitar
riff…)
Ohhh
Iko
Esai…
Iko
Esai…
We
dey
cry
today…
We
dey
remember
our
son…
Christian
Abakum…
Ijengha
Onwuh…
HANEKPA! ---
[VERSE 1 — REFLECTIVE HIGH LIFE] Oh
Iko
Esai,
we
dey
cry
today,
February
ninth,
we
no
fit
forget
that
day.
Two
thousand
and
twenty-five,
the
day
you
went
away,
Christian
Abakum,
your
name
go
live
always.
Ijengha
Onwuh,
gallant
son
of
our
land,
You
stood
for
justice,
you
took
your
stand.
The
gun
took
your
body,
but
your
spirit
still
stands,
Your
memory
dey
live
in
the
hearts
of
your
land. ---
[PRE-CHORUS — BUILDING] Ohhh
Christian…
We
call
your
name…
Ohhh
Ijengha…
We
hail
your
name…
Though
your
journey
ended,
Your
story
no
go
end… ---
[CHORUS — BIG HIGH LIFE HOOK] Ijengha
Onwuh —
you
be
the
real
hero!
Christian
Abakum —
we
salute
you!
Ijengha
Onwuh —
you
be
the
real
hero!
Iko
Esai —
we
remember
you!
Ijengha
Onwuh
HANEKPA!
HANEKPA!
HANEKPA!
We
salute
you! ---
[VERSE 2 — STORY / TRIBUTE] For
your
community,
for
your
fatherland,
You
stood
for
justice
with
courage
in
your
hand.
You
faced
the
struggle,
you
made
your
stand,
For
the
freedom
and
the
future
of
your
land.
You
left
us
crying,
you
left
us
with
pain,
But
your
sacrifice
no
go
be
in
vain.
Your
blood
became
a
symbol
we
remember
again,
Your
name
in
Iko
Esai
go
remain. ---
[PRE-CHORUS] Ohhh
Christian…
We
call
your
name…
Ohhh
Ijengha…
We
hail
your
name…
Years
may
come,
years
may
go,
But
your
story
we
go
know… ---
[CHORUS — REPEAT / CHOIR] Ijengha
Onwuh —
you
be
the
real
hero!
Christian
Abakum —
we
salute
you!
Ijengha
Onwuh —
you
be
the
real
hero!
Iko
Esai —
we
remember
you!
Ijengha
Onwuh
HANEKPA!
HANEKPA!
HANEKPA!
We
salute
you!
[BRIDGE — SLOWER / EMOTIONAL] On
the
ninth
of
February,
A
bright
star
fell
that
day.
But
a
star
that
shines
forever
Can
never
fade
away.
Christian,
though
you
left
us,
Your
light
still
shows
the
way.
Your
name
will
live
forever,
In
the
history
of
our
land. ---
[TRIBUTE CHANT — CALL & RESPONSE] LEAD:
Who
are
we
remembering?
CHOIR:
Christian
Abakum!
LEAD:
What
was
his
local
name?
CHOIR:
Ijengha
Onwuh!
LEAD:
Will
Iko
Esai
forget
him?
CHOIR:
Never!
Never!
LEAD:
Will
his
name
live
on?
CHOIR:
Forever!
Forever!
[FINAL CHORUS — FULL BAND / CHOIR] Ijengha
Onwuh —
you
be
the
real
hero!
Christian
Abakum —
we
salute
you!
Ijengha
Onwuh —
you
be
the
real
hero!
Iko
Esai —
we
remember
you!
Your
name
no
go
perish,
Your
memory
no
go
die,
Your
sacrifice
we
carry,
Your
story
go
live
on
high!
Ijengha
Onwuh
HANEKPA!
HANEKPA!
HANEKPA!
We
salute
you! ---
[DIALECT OUTRO — TRADITIONAL / SOLEMN] HANA
EKPA
AGOI
ABAH
DIKEISIN
NA
ASA
EHOBHI
ASERI
ESAI
ORENIMI
NAIRAM (
Repeat
softly
with
backing
vocals)
HANA
EKPA
AGOI
ABAH
DIKEISIN
NA
ASA
EHOBHI
ASERI
ESAI
ORENIMI
NAIRAM ---
[FINAL FAREWELL — GUITAR FADES] Christian
Abakum…
Ijengha
Onwuh… 9
th
February 2025…
Iko
Esai
remembers
you.
We
miss
you…
We
salute
you…
We
remember
you…
IJENGHA
ONWUH…
HANEKPA!