Celebrity

The Legend Daniel Alifa Akoh, Goes to be With The Lord

Published

3 years ago

April 6, 2023

By Joy Omagha Idam

The Legendary Mr. Daniel Alifa Akoh,(Omachi Attah Igala) born 1st August 1935, hails from Ugwolawo, Kogi State, is dead. He died after a seven week battle with illness, at a hospital in Lagos, on March 26th 2023. Burial arrangements will be made known at a later date. He was a Chartered Chemist and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). He held a Bachelor of Science (B. Sc) in Chemistry of the University of London, from the University College Ibadan.

He was a founding Member and Fellow of the following Societies: Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN),e Institute of Chartered Chemi Nigeria (ICCON), the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) as its first President and also the Nigeria Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST). He worked at different times at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in London and with a firm of Public Analysts, Thomas Mc Lauchlan and Partners in London. He is the first graduate from Igala Kingdom.

His civil service career began as a Laboratory Technician at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist. He later became the Government Chemist of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The last person to hold that position, Mr. Akoh was appointed first Director, Food and Drug Administration and Laboratory Services on the abolition of the position of Government Chemist in 1977. It later metamorphosed into NAFDAC. He laid the foundation for the establishment of NAFDAC.

In 1982 he was appointed Permanent Secretary and Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Later he served respectively as Permanent Secretary Political and Police Affairs, Cabinet Office and Federal Ministry of Works and Housing from where he retired voluntarily in 1986. A very rare virtue.

During his career Mr. Akoh had the opportunity of serving in many organisations including the Board of Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Councils of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Boards of Directors of the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan (UCH), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Peugeot Automobile Company of Nigeria (PAN) and Benro Packaging Company.

He was the founder and Chairman of Alfa Laboratories Limited, Amen Food Industries Limited and Akoh Ocholi Foundation. He was also an active participant in many community associations. Seeing to educational development of Igala land.

Mr Akoh, received the Professional Excellence Award of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN). In 1995, he was conferred with the title “Omachi Attah Igala”, by His Royal Majesty, Aliyu Obaje, The Attah of Igala reigning at the time.

Some of his notable exploits as member Chemical Society of Nigeria includes; coordinating the decongestion of the Port in Lagos In 1983. Coordinating efforts for the enabling Laws for Environmental Regulations in Nigeria. Coordinated the designs and construction of major highways and bridges in Nigeria; Ajaokuta Bridge, Ajaokuta- Otukpa, Ilorin – Jebba federal highways, several Federal Secretariats in States as well as the Nigerian House in New York. He represented Nigeria for many years in various international organizations; Chemist Committee of the Customs Cooperation Council in Brussels, and Codex Alimentarius in Rome.

He is survived by a wife Mrs Mary Akoh, the union lasted over 60 years and is blessed with four Children and several grandchildren to mourn him as well as many he mentored and paid fees for. He was a devoted Christian. Until his call to glory he was a prominent member of the Ikoyi Baptist Church. He was a quiet philanthropist. He supported projects in his community and people quietly.

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Celebrity

Mariaa Voice expands gospel music mission with ‘Akoko Mi’ and four-volume CCC Hymns series

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

The Gleamer

Maria Abimbola Iyaomolere, popularly known as Mariaa Voice, is expanding the scope of her gospel music ministry with a growing body of work that combines original inspirational music with a deliberate effort to preserve and promote the rich hymn tradition of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC).

Following the release of her inspirational single, “Akoko Mi (My Season),” Mariaa Voice has continued to build on a musical journey that increasingly reflects both her artistic identity and her desire to use music as a vehicle for faith, learning and spiritual upliftment.

“Akoko Mi,” which translates to “My Season,” carries a message of hope, patience and divine timing. Re…
[9:59 am, 31/08/2026] Wikipedia Guy: Mariaa Voice expands gospel music mission with ‘Akoko Mi’ and four-volume CCC Hymns series

“Akoko Mi,” which translates to “My Season,” carries a message of hope, patience and divine timing. Released in 2026, the song presents a declaration that seasons change, doors open and transformation comes at the appointed time. Its accompanying visual further reinforces the message of trusting the process and remaining hopeful for what lies ahead.

For Mariaa Voice, however, the song represents only one part of a broader musical assignment.

A particularly significant aspect of her recent work has been the CCC Hymns project, which has now grown to four volumes. The project brings together hymns from the Celestial Church of Christ, with Mariaa Voice intentionally selecting many songs that are not among the more commonly known hymns regularly heard in church settings.
According to the gospel minister, some of the selections also draw from newer hymns contained in the CCC New Revised Standard version, allowing the project to introduce listeners to a wider range of the church’s musical heritage.
“So far I have done CCC HYMNS VOL 1, 2, 3 & 4,” she said, explaining the motivation behind the project.
“The majority of the hymns in each album are not the common ones, some are new hymns included in the CCC New Revised Standard version.”

For Mariaa Voice, the project goes beyond recording and releasing music. It is also an effort to help people discover and learn hymns that they may otherwise have little opportunity to encounter.

“The main reason behind it is not just to showcase the beautiful and spirit-filled hymns God has given the church, but it’s also an avenue for people to actually learn to sing these hymns,” she explained.

That approach has given the project a distinctive place within her growing catalogue. Rather than concentrating solely on contemporary gospel sounds, Mariaa Voice is using her vocal ability and recording experience to bring renewed attention to a repertoire rooted in the worship tradition of the Celestial Church of Christ.
Her official catalogue now features four volumes of the CCC Hymns project alongside original songs including “IRE,” “ORI MI,” “Sin Oluwa,” “Se’yanú” and “Oti Funmilayo.”
The development represents a natural progression for an artiste whose musical journey began in the church.

As previously documented, Mariaa Voice’s early exposure to music came through the church choir, including her time with the “Little Angels” choir, before her talent was recognised and she was encouraged to pursue music professionally.

Over the years, that foundation has developed into a career spanning gospel music, songwriting, recording, performance and voice-over artistry. Her repertoire has also demonstrated a willingness to explore different contemporary gospel influences while maintaining a strong emphasis on positive and uplifting messages.

With “Akoko Mi,” that message remains central.
The song is built around the reassurance that delay does not mean denial and that every individual has a season ordained for them.
“Akoko Mi (My Season) is not just a song, it’s a declaration,” Mariaa Voice said.
“A reminder that no matter how long it takes, your time will come. Transformation will happen. Doors will open. Grace will speak. Nothing can stop what God has already ordained for you.”
That message has become particularly consistent with the direction of her recent work, music that does not merely entertain but seeks to encourage listeners, strengthen their faith and point them towards hope.
While the CCC Hymns series looks back to a rich worship tradition and helps bring lesser-known hymns to a wider audience, “Akoko Mi” looks forward, offering a contemporary expression of faith and expectation.
Together, the two strands of her recent work reveal an artiste increasingly defining her ministry around both preservation and inspiration, preserving hymns that deserve to be heard while creating new music that speaks to the experiences and expectations of today’s listeners.
With four CCC Hymns volumes now completed and “Akoko Mi” adding another chapter to her catalogue, Mariaa Voice continues to carve out a distinctive space for herself as a gospel minister committed to using her voice not only to perform, but also to teach, inspire and preserve a musical heritage for the next generation.

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