AKU - AMAKA

"Aku-amaka" is a beloved Igbo offertory hymn composed by Jude Nnam. The title evokes the goodness and beauty of wealth, and the song carries a profound message about the purpose of prosperity. It is a staple in Nigerian Catholic parishes, often sung during the presentation of gifts when the congregation dances forward to offer their tithes and thanksgiving to God.

The lyrics balance gratitude with a call to charity. While celebrating the blessing of abundance ("Aku amaka, uba amaka"), the chorus immediately urges those whom God has blessed to remember the poor ("onye Chineke gọziri ya chet' ogbenye doo"). The verses gently warn against the pride that can come with riches, reminding the wealthy not to forget the days they too experienced hardship, and cautioning that the same God who gives can also take away.

For a choir, this piece offers a lively, rhythmic melody that naturally invites movement and joy. The arrangement builds from the harmonious chorus into thoughtful verses, culminating in a striking soprano solo that delivers the song's core warning. It is a piece that moves the congregation not just to dance, but to reflect on the true meaning of generosity and stewardship.