Words by Chizoba Imoka

Luke 8:16 says ‘No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed but puts it on a stand for those who enter may see the light’ , this is a verse that one of our favorite musicians Naetochukwu Chikwe fondly known as Naeto-C understands too well.

Naeto-C is fully aware that the life he has is a gift and a privilege that is meant to be lived to its fullest potential. As he rightly points out…. why I would I act like I did not have that privilege and come down like someone who wasn’t privileged? From a religious standpoint, it is wrong… it’s almost like a sin.. If you are blessed with something, don’t be shy about it.

 This world view paved the way for Naeto-C’s unique re-entry into the music scene as ‘The Only Emcee with an MSC’ with his Super C Season Album that was released in 2011.  In 2010, Naeto-C went back to school in the United Kingdom – University of Dundee to pursue a Masters degree (MSC) in Energy Economics. This is a feat many Nigerian musicians haven’t surpassed and this is one of the numerous reasons Naeto-C is a great role model for UVA teenagers.

We present Naeto-C to you as an Unveiling Africa Foundation Pacesetter because of the unpopular and challenging path he has taken in his academic and music career. He has managed to attain excellence and advancement in his academics while maintaining success in his hobby as a musician. There is a lesson for everyone in his story, I hope you find yours. Happy reading!

1)     What was growing up like for you?

a.       Growing up was fun and cool. I had a normal childhood with toys and cartoons. I grew up in the United States, U.K. and different parts of Nigeria (Enugu, Owerri, Abuja, Lagos). I come from a big extended family; I have always had cousins and friends around, I have always been into music; either I liked listening to music it or I used to play with vinyl; I used them as Frisbees. I also watched a lot of series and action cartoons like Voltron and Captain Planet…

 2)     Is there anything about your teenage years that you think contributed to your success today?

a.       One of the things that prepared me for the outside world was going to boarding house. I went to Atlantic Hall. I was a boarder and at the time, my family lived in Owerri while my aunt lived in Lagos. Moving from Owerri to Lagos was not necessarily a culture shock but a challenge. However, the challenge of assimilation in a new environment taught me a lot of different social skills that I eventually built upon and helped me deal with different people and situations.
Read more on Naeto’s Interview in the 3rd Edition of Unveiling Africa Foundation’s Teen Magazine – Pacesetters. It will be available for purchase on October 15.