Celestial First Guitarist, An Hero of Faith

May 4, 2021 Celegen

Down the memory lane…Heroes of faith in CCC…

KOTEY QUARSHIE NIKOI

The history of the Celestial Church of Christ cannot be complete without references to our spiritual hymns.
The hymns would not have been melodious without the right rhythms, tempo, timing, signature and the correct tunes.

One of the humble souls God used to indeed bring out and preserve the beauty of the spiritual hymns we have in the Celestial Church of Christ worldwide was Kotey Quarshie Nikoi.

Senior Evangelist K.Q. Nikoi was born in Nigeria in the year 1919. Although his father was a Ghanaian, his mother was from Falokun’s family in Oke Aro,Akure, in the present Ondo State, Nigeria.

K.Q. Nikoi was opportuned to attend both primary and secondary school in Ghana and later went to shortand school despite the fact that his father was a lecturer at the then University College, Ibadan, now University of Ibadan.

He joined the services of the University of Ibadan in 1948, shortly after it was established, as a Secretary in the Busary Department, as he was vast on the typewriter having being trained in shortand.

He was a pioneer member at CCC Yemetu Arch Province Headquarters and he remained a foremost leader of the Celestial Church of Christ Arch Province Yemetu Choir, Ibadan, Oyo State. He was a Great Musician – a Great Guitarist per excellence, Organist, Trumpeter, Singer, Composer, Teacher and Mentor.
In February 1970, he started teaching interested members of the Choir how to play the Guitar and Trumpet until many of them mastered the arts and became instrumentalists.

It must be on records that Senior Evangelist K.Q. Nikoi was the first Guitarist in the Celestial Church of Christ WW. He was the first to play Guitar in accompanying hymns during devotional worships.
Being the first Guitarist in CCC worldwide, he brought a lot of innovations into Celestial Church of Christ music.

His compositions which are numerous, and mostly in Yoruba, are spiritual and original and full of very meaningful and thought provoking messages.
Some of his songs are:
1. Mo dupe Jesu mo dupe o, Fun oore ofe Re …
2. E je ka kee Hallelujah, Hallelujah/2cs …..
3. Ijo Mimo ti Kristi lati Orun wa, E je ka k’alleluya s’Oba Orun…

Senior Evangelist Nikoi was an extraordinary man of God. All his compositions were usually received by inspiration, at times while the Choir was traveling out of town for an occasion or outing. At outings, even popular musicians would leave their groups to come and listen and watch the CCC Choir’s performance due to the wonderful melody produced as a result of his dexterity on the Guitar.

Senior Evangelist K. Q. Nikoi continued to make invaluable contributions to the development of music in CCC until his call to the glory beyond.

He got married to his beloved wife,Rose Nikoi in 1957 and the marriage was blessed with gracious and glorious children.

He was a vegetarian,hence he was highly disciplined as regards food.

On 23rd November, 1991,he was in the church for Sunday worship but had a challenge with his health as the service was on. He was rushed to Sowemimo’s hospital, where he eventually bidded the world farewell.
He was later buried at Sango cemetery in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Senior Evangelist K.Q. Nikoi was an adherent worshipper in the Celestial Church of Christ till his last breath. His contributions to the development of music in the CCC remains significant till date. He was a rallying point for the development of CCC Yemetu Choir in the early days.

K.Q. Nikoi would continue to remain a hero in the Celestial Church of Christ till eternity for the roles he played in the Celestial Church of Christ music.

May his soul continue to rest in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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