Artist: Tony One Week
Tony One Week Muonagor was born into the family of Gabriel and Angela Muonagor of Obosi town in Anambra State of Nigeria on November 16, over 40 years ago. Young Tony spent the better part of his childhood at 20 Jemeni Street, Abakaliki and later at 4 Kenyatta and 10 Obe Streets, both in Uwani, Enugu town.
He attended the Central Urban School Abakaliki, started his secondary education in Emene High School and concluded it at Abakiliki High School. As a young boy in “Presco”, Tony was made the “Regulator” otherwise called ‘Bell ringer’. Tony’s middle name “One Week” originated from Abakiliki High School.
As a student, Tony participated in vernacular radio talk shows in the then Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (A.B.C), and would later in life have stints as duty announcer and newscaster in the Nigerian Television Authority Channel 8, Enugu.
In furtherance of his education, Tony attended the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. It was there in 1986, that Tony cut his teeth in entertainment. He formed the group THRILLER ENTERTAINMENT to organize shows and also thrill fellow students at major campus events. Afterwards, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus for his Post graduate diploma & Masters Degree in Business Administration and majored in Management.
For his compulsory NYSC in 1992, Tony served Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State where he worked as public relations assistant in the NYSC secretariat and was also part of the state NYSC football team. It is on record that Tony was the pioneer editor in chief of the NYSC, Oyo State magazine titled YOUTH TIMES.
Notable among his corps mates at Ede camp in Osun state were Bob-Manuel Udokwu and Clem Ohaneze who are today, top Nollywood stars. Tony will later invade the entertainment industry in 1996 as an actor then a writer (he wrote the highly successful movie “NARROW ESCAPE”, then a Production Manager, Artistic Director, Movie Director, Musician, comedian, TV Presenter… Jack of all entertainment trades you may say.
Tony debuted as a singer in 1998 and directed his first movie titled “Holygans” in 1999. He is now a writer, singer, event compere, TV host, Director, Events Promoter cum Manager, contractor and Politician.
THE NAME “TONY ONE WEEK”
The name Tony One Week coined out of the popular literature novel “One week one trouble” by Anezi Okoro was bestowed on him by his literature teacher Mr. Obijiofor in class two at Abakiliki High School. It was due to his rascality and troublesome disposition. However, young Tony was merely trying to express his creativity, flair for entertainment and God given talent for making fun at even the gravest of situations. More often than not, he was grossly misunderstood.
TONY THE MUSICIAN
Tony One Week debuted in the entertainment industry as a musician in 1998 carving a niche for himself as “The Gyration Master” by popularizing the genre of music which was hitherto confined to Nigerian tertiary campuses. Tony made gyration music accessible to the non-kegites. Gyration is totally an African rhythm because according to him, it dates back to our forefathers. It’s the rhythm of the bush. It’s the “konkonkonlonkonkolo” beat.
His taste for gyration kind of music was acquired during his days at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko as a member of the kegites (Palm-wine drinkers Club) as a “Drumito”(drummer) and “Songito” (singer) which is a quality that only gifted kegites possessed and this made him popular in many higher institutions in the Eastern region of Nigeria.“Once a kegite, always a kegite”.
In 1998, he released the monster hit, ‘U Go Bow’ with original compositions and smash hits like: Okocha n'igbuo moo”, “Onwa December” etc. Tony’s baptism of fire as a career-performing musician was at the Benson & Hedges “Wicked and Wild” show in 1999. “From then, the master has remained the Master, to the glory of God”;
In the world today, you cannot talk about Gyration music, without first acknowledging the man, Tony One Week because he was, he still is and will continue to be the “Gyration Maser”.
He has taken Gyration music to the length and breadth of the planet earth, performing at international music events. He has toured Europe and the United States of America.
LIFE AS AN ACTOR
Tony began his career as an actor in 1996 whilst studying for his Masters Degree, and featured in his very first movie titles “Betrayal Part II” by Kenneth Okonkwo. After this movie, Tony delved into writing and did so well as a Scriptwriter. One of the stories that brought him to the spotlight is “Narrow Escape” which he wrote in 1996.
Aside acting, Tony One Week is also a Director, Producer and Writer. He fully directed his first movie in 1999. Tony One Week who would rather not refer to himself as an actor or a comedian or a musician but an Entertainer is a humble, easygoing, talented, gifted and creative person who has never believed in stardom but sees the Almighty God (Holy trinity) as the only true shining STAR. He is happily married with beautiful wonderful children.
