Muma Gee

Gift Iyumame Eke (née Uwame; born 18 November 1978), professionally known as Muma Gee , meaning "do good Gift", is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, fashion designer, television personality and politician. She was born, raised, and resides in Port Harcourt. Uwame's first taste of stardom came through her song "Kade", which became the title track of her first official album, released in 2006. The single's accompanying music video directed by Wudi Awa, received five nominations, including two from the AMEN Awards (Best Picture and Best Costume) and one each from the Nigerian Music Video Awards, the Headies Awards, and the Sound City Music Video Awards.

Uwame rose to prominence in 2010 as a contestant on the celebrity edition of Nigerian reality TV series Gulder Ultimate Search. Prior to entering the show, she had worked on her second studio album The Woman in Question, that would be released a day after her eviction. Solid Affection (2008), Secret Code (2011), and The Code (2011). Among her accomplishments are numerous titles and honours such as, Oonyon 1 of Upata Kingdom, Queen of African music, Pop Queen, and Mrs. Ngor-Okpala.

Uwame's social life and alleged relationships have gained widespread coverage in the media, with the most prominent being her emotional affair with former GUS campmate Emeka Ike. In 2011, Uwame married actor Prince Eke, and gave birth to a twin boy and girl, on 18 April 2014.

Early life Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Ekpeye parents, Uwame grew up in a strict Christian household, the third of six children.

Upon finishing her primary and secondary school education in Abuja, Uwame enrolled at the University of Port Harcourt and earned a degree in Theatre Arts. In addition to her academic background, she owned and operated numerous other busia nesses including vehicle leasing company, restaurant, tailor shop and beauty salon. She also became part of Port Harcourt's burgeoning music scene, performing at nightclubs and inner city bars. Following the release of the aforementioned album, Wudi Awa was contacted by Muma Gee in regards to producing a music video for its title track single. Soon after the video was shot, edited and sent to TV stations, it quickly gained popularity, capturing the attention of music lovers in Nigeria. Kade would later be nominated for AMEN Awards, Nigerian Music Video Awards, The Headies Awards, and Sound City Music Video Awards.

2007–2010: Star Trek, The, Woman in Question and Gulder Ultimate Search In June 2007, Muma Gee performed at the annual Nigerian Breweries-sponsored Star Trek music tour. She was the only female solo artist called upon to sing at the last leg of the national tour. The concert was held at the Hotel Presidential venue in Enugu and featured a star-studded line-up of Nigerian musicians, including P-Square, Daddy Showkey, Davina, and Shine Band, among others. Muma Gee appeared on stage wearing a beaded blouse and a black, rippling skirt. She involved a group of male fans into a dance competition for a chance to win her love. The climax of her show came when she hugged, cuddled and attempted to have a liplock with the winner in public. The young male fan also was treated to a love song she belted out before closing her set with a performance of her hit track "Kade".

By the end of 2007, she began hinting that she was working on new material for her next album. The following year, on 18 May 2008, it was announced that "Amebo" would be the first single to be released from the album. According to Muma Gee, this song was what she had long desired to create: "I have been doing my own thing. I've been experimenting even while at the University of Port Harcourt. Now, I want to see what I can achieve professionally." Explaining what "Amebo" was specifically about, she says, "I am a homegirl, I am an indigenous musician. I believe so much in Nigeria. So, "Amebo" simply talks about our people, our values, and our heritage." "Amebo" was sent to radio afterwards; In 2009, Muma Gee released the album's second single "African Juice" and its accompanying music video, the latter of which earned her several nominations at that year's Nigerian Music Video Awards. On 26 February 2010, Vanguard announced that Muma Gee's second studio album was titled The Woman in Question and that it would be released in March. Along with these details, it was announced Muma Gee had songs with Samini, VIP, and Terry G on the album and that producers on the album would include Cobhams Asuquo, Puffy T, Terry G and OJB.

Beginning March 2010, Muma Gee appeared in the reality television show Gulder Ultimate Search. She had been selected with nine other celebrity participants. After being sent to the jungle, she naturally connected with fellow campmate Emeka Ike. However, their extra-closeness soon prompted viewers to believe their friendship was beyond platonic. Various news outlets and gossip sites depicted Ike as a handsome married actor, with whom Muma Gee was romantically lovestruck. In another incident, contestant Chioma Chukwuka defied Muma Gee and threw her property out of their tent. She had verbally attacked Muma Gee on several occasions at the camp and made disparaging remarks about her marital status. Throughout their time in the Jungle, both contestants rivalled each other. They were evicted on the same day for not being able to complete their respective tasks. Uwame's The Woman in Question was released the next day. On 8 May 2010, in an interview with Nigeriafilms.com, Chukwuka claimed her actions against Muma Gee were deliberate and a mere display of her blatant side. During June 2010, Muma Gee was invited for Thanksgiving at the Redeemed Christian Church, by Gus winner Emeka Ike and his wife Emma. There, she met and befriended up-and-coming Nollywood actor Prince Eke—Ike's best friend—whom she felt was God-sent and who would propose to her seconds later. On 23 June, Uwame received an engagement ring from Eke shortly after he had arrived safely from work. She would then wed him the following year. In August 2011, Muma Gee was reported to have moved temporarily from Lagos back to Port Harcourt to participate in politics. Although no further details were released about the development at the time. She would later reveal in interviews that there were no political intentions behind her relocation to the city. However, on 4 November 2011, the couple decided to push back the wedding date to work on Muma Gee's music video, "Port Harcourt Is Back". On 20 December 2011, Muma Gee and Prince Eke were married in a double traditional wedding ceremony in Ahoada East and Ngor Okpala respectively. A formal white wedding later took place on 23 December 2011 in Port Harcourt. After her marriage to Eke, Muma Gee continued to work on her music career. In February 2012, she released "Port Harcourt Is Back" and its music video, which was directed by her husband Prince Eke. Speaking about the concept of the song, she explained "It's a single and more of appreciation for the transformation in my birthplace." Furthermore, Muma Gee stated that her new album called Motherland was in the making, and that "it was inspired by what I experienced when I went to Port Harcourt after many years in Lagos. It is warm and welcoming." On 8 April that same year, the album's second single "African Woman Skillashy" followed. The music video, directed by Bobby Hai Ndackson was released soon after. Muma Gee told Vanguard that "[the song] is all about the African woman, her beauty and how she makes herself beautiful. An African woman is therefore not to be messed up with or looked down upon because she's feminine. Even though she's beautiful, she's strong and has a sense of pride."

In March 2013, she released "Jikele" as the album's third single. Motherland was revealed to be a 12-track album and when asked why is it taking so long? she commented "One needs to take one's time because good work takes time. But it must be worth the wait in the end." Muma Gee competed in the first Imo State intercommunity beauty pageant, representing the community of Umuhu in Ngor Okpala. She came into the competition through her matrimonial union with Eke, whose heritage stems from the Umuhu people. On 1 August 2013, she was named Mrs. Ngor Okpala by first lady of Imo State, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, after beating off challenges from 28 other entrants. On 15 February 2014, whilst heavily pregnant with her first child, she confirmed in a telephone interview with Saturday Beats of The Punch that she will be performing at the album launch party for Motherland regardless of her physical condition. On 18 April, just weeks before the anticipated concert, Uwame delivered twins – a boy and a girl commenting on this Uwame said, "I was not initially expecting twins. All I knew was that I started getting big and bigger. And people would see me and say, oh, you are looking so beautiful. I didn't believe I was going to have twins."

Politics In October 2014, Muma Gee officially announced her intent to run for a seat in the Nigeria's House of Representatives via the Ahoada East–Abua–Odual constituency in Rivers State. She initially registered to run as a member of the Rivers State People's Democratic Party but later switched allegiance to the Labour Party, becoming the party's nominee for the seat. While elaborating on the reasons for her decision to join politics, Muma Gee described the move as the appropriate means to "liberate her people" who she says deserves representation that is qualitative and has their best interest in mind.

She was defeated at the federal election by Betty Apiafi, who ran as a PDP candidate and who has represented the constituency since 2007.

Personal life Uwame lives in Port Harcourt with her actor husband, whom she has been happily married to since 2011. They are both devout Christians and did not participate in courtship. She was later separated from her husband Prince Eke.

As of 18 April 2014, they had two children, a twin boy and girl, whom they named Chika and Chisa Eke. Her third child and second daughter, Okwuluoka, was born on the same day as her father Prince Eke on 18 August 2016.

Discography

Studio albums + List of albums Title Album details Kade Released: 2006 Label: Black Attraction Productions Formats: CD The Woman in Question Released: 3 May 2010 Label: Mgee Records Formats: CD, VCD

Filmography