Ikoli Harcourt Whyte (1905-1977), popularly known as Harcourt Whyte

Ikoli Harcourt Whyte (1905-1977), popularly known as Harcourt Whyte was a composer best remembered for his classic hymn “atula egwu”.

Ikoli was born in Abonnema in the old Niger Delta region in 1905. He was named Ikoli as a baby by his parents Munabo and Odibo. Between 1915 and 1918, he attended a number of schools including Bishop Crowther Memorial School.

He was an active member of the school brass bands and took interest in playing the flute and side-drum.Later on in his life, he adopted the name Harcourt Whyte. His people, the Kalabaris relied on fishing and trading, and Ikoli as a child was trained in these skills. In 1919, he was diagnosed with leprosy after symptoms were first noticed in 1918.

In the early 1920s, he was sent to Port Harcourt General Hospital where he developed his talent in music and went on to form a vocalist band with forty other lepers. In 1932, he was transferred to Uzuakoli Leprosy Hospital, Bende Division, Eastern Nigeria where he met doctor-reverend-musician T.F. Davey.