Celestine Ukwu hails from Agbor in Enugu State, he attended Saint Patricks College, ASABA (SPC). His name will be written in gold in highlife history as an innovator who introduced new dimensions to the act-form at a time that the music was on its way out for lack of creative ideas. Celestine’s success story began in 1970, immediately after the civil war even though he had previously made his presence felt with Ije Enu a single hit on Philips recording label. Popularly known as a Philosopher he was a school teacher. A gentleman with a lot of discipline. Celestine dished out many highlife tunes such as Igede which gave the conga instrument a lot of prominences.

Usondu, a masterpiece with the great master saxophonist Etim Udo, released wonderful tunes such as ‘Elege, Money Palaver’, etc. This great highlife giant passed on in 1980 through a tragic motor accident on an engagement tour.