AML Music Executive feature is a direct response to AML Music Industry professionals in the USA who seek to know relevant names on the continent. If you are not listed in AML’s directory on the right side bar, no big deal. Shoot me an email ([email protected]) along with your bio and picture (clear picture please) and I will be glad to share with my audience. Also, if you see your name and it is not hyperlinked, feel free to shoot me your bio and a picture and I will be glad to expedite the publishing of your bio for the many industry influencers who visit AML daily.
Please send me an email ONLYif you are an industry executive or in managerial positions. Also, this is not a popularity contest. You don’t have to be famous. You just have to be about the business of music and have a strong track record to show what you have been doing. Today’s Music Executive feature is Obi Asika.
“Mr. Obodoechina Ukpabi Asika known to many simply as Obi Asika hails from the famous town of Onitsha in Anambra State. He was born on October 3, 1968, at the peak of the Nigerian civil war.
Obi Asika attended Ekulu Primary School, Enugu from 1974 to 1977. He then proceeded to the United Kingdom where he schooled at Ashdown House between 1977 and 1982. From Ashdown House, he gained a Direct Entry into the famous Eton College, having obtained a Distinction in the National Common Entrance Exams in the UK. At Eton College, Obi held several prominent positions including School Prefect, Secretary of the Political Society and Secretary of the Film Society.
Mr. Asika was a Research Assistant at the World Trade Centre of Nigeria between 1986 and 1987. In 1987, he enrolled at the University of Warwick from which he received an LLB Hons in 1990. At the University of Warwick , Obi Asika was Secretary, Nigerian Society; Member, Political Society; Member, Afro-Carribbean Society; Radio Host & DJ and Events Promoter. After graduation, Obi Asika returned to Nigeria to attend the Nigerian Law School, Lagos between 1990 and 1991 after which he was called to the Nigerian Bar.
Asika has wide transnational business interests in areas that include oil and gas, real property, information technology, agriculture, sports, media, etc. however the business of music has always had a special place in Obi’s heart. Between 1987 and 1990, Obi Asika organized several successful concerts, charity and entertainment events at university campuses around the UK . He also hosted a weekly radio show at the University of Warwick with a large listening audience. He was equally DJ and promoter of over 200 events at universities and clubs in London, using venues such as Legends, Dingwalls, Camden Palace, Hippodrome, Wall Street, Shaftesbury’s, Crazy Larry’s, Roxanne’s, L’Equipe Anglaise among many others.
In 1989, in partnership with Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Records, Obi Asika co-financed and promoted “Biology”, one of the largest outdoor raves in the history of the UK with artistes like Public Enemy, De la Soul, Soul II Soul, etc, with over 40,000 tickets sold at an event held in a 100,000 sq. ft. venue with 100,000 watts of sound being pumped.
Obi Asika’s most famous investment may however be found in Storm Productions, a total concept entertainment company which he founded in 1991. Storm has literally taken the Nigerian scene by storm with its rich investment in music and entertainment programming.
Asika was Legal Analyst at two Lagos based firms: Mastertrade Ltd, from 1991 to 1992 and Camelot Investments, between 1992 and 1993. He has also been involved in a dizzying array of entrepreneurial and management activities. He served as Executive Director, Heritage Preciousland, Lagos between 1990 and 1991 and as Managing Director/CEO, PSTC Nigeria Ltd from 1993 to 1998. He has been Executive Chairman, Maya Procurement Services, Lagos since 1999; Mr. Asika was Founding Partner & Executive Director, Sutton Group from June 1999 to October 2002; Founding Director, PPI Limited, Lagos from April 2002 to February 2005; He became Founding Director, Direqlearn Nigeria in August, 2002 and founded Gateway Africa, of which he remains CEO, in December 2003.
Mr. Obi Asika has also been Exclusive, Country or Regional Representative for several international corporate organizations and brands such as Elsag Bailey Process Automation (EBPA) (1996-98); ABB (1998-2000); ISL Worldwide (Oct 1998 –March 2000). He has equally held Board positions in Bladi Property and Investment Ltd, China Holdings Ltd, Ohaji Farms Ltd, Oilscan Nigeria and a number of other business organs. . .” – Obi Asika/COSON
-Uduak
Twitter: @uduaklaw
Photocredit: Ladybrille Magazine