Elsie Nwoko

Elsie Ezinwa Nwoko (née Okwumabua) hails from Ogbeutu Quarters, Issele-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria. Her late father, Chief Francis Ogana Okwumabua, was an educationist and the Odogwu of Issele-Uku, while her mother, Mrs. Caroline Dumnodu Okwumabua, was a devoted homemaker. Elsie is married to Prince Martin Eze Nwoko of the royal family of Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State, and they are blessed with five children.

Music runs deeply in Elsie’s family. Her father was a music master, her sister, playwright Zulu Sofola, was a soprano chorister, and her uncle was a skilled percussionist. Her grandmother, a lead singer in the "OMU" [Queen] in council, also influenced her early love for music.

Elsie’s educational journey began at Federal Government Primary Schools in Asaba and Ogwashi-Uku, followed by Baptist Girls’ High School, Agbor. She developed her musical skills under American missionary Miss Margaret Lambert, excelling in organ playing and choir performances. She pursued higher education in music, earning a Diploma from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; a B.Ed in Music from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada; and an M.Ed from the State University of New York, Buffalo.

Elsie’s career in education spanned 40 years (1965–2005). She taught in secondary schools and became a pioneer Head of the Department of Music at the College of Education, Agbor, where she rose to Associate Professor. She also held prominent administrative roles, including Deputy Provost and Director of Academic Affairs.

Her contributions include 33 musical compositions and arrangements, such as Ogbom Gene, Nwata Di Nso, Ambassadors Anthem, and Odogwu Nwe Ofia. She also authored seminar papers on topics like music education and Nigerian folk music. Her passion for folk music preservation led her to arrange and popularize traditional songs through concerts, radio, and television.

In addition to music, Elsie wrote a book, Spousal Abuse: A Case for Nigerian Women (2012), advocating for legal protection against domestic violence.

Awards & Recognition:

• Commissioned to compose songs for national competitions by the Federal Ministry of Education (1990).
• Featured in The New Who’s Who in Nigeria (2003).
• Honored as the first female music lecturer at Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri (2009).
• Numerous awards for excellence in education and advocacy.

Elsie continues to inspire through her dedication to music, education, and advocacy for women’s rights.