Artist: Cornelius Benjamin
Song: ONYE UKWU
Album: JESUS BE OGA 2
Track: 6
Genre: Gospel
Language: Igbo
Released: June 11, 2001
Duration: 1:43
Label: 5737480 Records DK
More than 20 years later, “ONYE UKWU” is another short but memorable gospel song from Cornelius Benjamin’s JESUS BE OGA 2 album.
Released in 2001, the song is the sixth track on the 14 song album. At just 1 minute and 43 seconds, it is one of the shorter songs on the project, but it gets its message across without wasting time.
The title “Onye Ukwu” is an Igbo expression meaning “Great One” or “Great Person.” In the context of the song, it is a praise expression directed at God, recognising Him as the One who is greater than everyone and everything.
This is actually one of the things that make old Nigerian gospel songs interesting. The message is often very simple. You don’t need long explanations to understand what the singer is saying. “ONYE UKWU” is basically an expression of praise to God for His greatness.
The song is also still available on the major streaming platforms today. Cornelius Benjamin’s official YouTube channel has the track listed as part of JESUS BE OGA 2, while Apple Music also lists it among his songs.
And JESUS BE OGA 2 is quite an interesting piece of Nigerian gospel history. The album has 14 tracks and runs for about 46 minutes, with songs such as “JEHOVA MAZURU,” “EZI ENYI,” “NKEM APUGHI ICHE,” “OLU OMA GI EBUKA,” “NANI GI,” “HEAVENLY RACE” and “GOD IS GREATER.”
For listeners who grew up with Nigerian gospel music in the early 2000s, songs like “ONYE UKWU” can bring back memories of a different era of gospel music. For younger listeners, it is an opportunity to discover some of the indigenous gospel sounds that came before the modern Nigerian gospel style we hear today.
Cornelius Benjamin has also remained active in music over the years. His catalogue stretches from the 1990s to his more recent releases, including “GINI KAM GA EJI (WHAT SHALL I RENDER)”, released in March 2026.
Listen to Cornelius Benjamin – ONYE UKWU using the audio player below and enjoy another piece of classic Nigerian gospel music.
