Chinedu Hardy Nwadike was born to Mr & Mrs Bernard Nwadike of Ndiokoro in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria.
He lived most his life in Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State where he was born and raised by his parents.
Losing his mother to cancer at the age of 9, Hardy and his siblings grew up with their father, Mr Bernard Nwadike, learning almost everything they knew from the man.
Growing up was easy for him, in a normal Nigerian neigbourhood with people from different tribes of the country, he learned to tolerate everyone, as well as living without class.
With his neigbourhood partly rough and football the only known sport, Hardy will have to fight with other kids at times to keeping standing and those were the beginning of the story of young man who would be making his mark as a singer, author, blogger, graphics & web designer, Industrial Chemist, inspirational speaker amongst others.
Education
He attended T.T.C. practicing school Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State from 1988 to 1994 and then proceeded to Community Secondary School Orogwe, a neigbouring village in the same Local Government area where he finished in the year 2000.
After delays with JAMB, he moved on to Madonna University Okija, Anambra State in 2003, finishing in 2007 with B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry.
Although he made plans of furthering his education to the highest level, no step has been taken on that so far.
Football other hobbies
As a kid, Hardy has always nursed the dream of being a football player. When he started playing in his nursery School days at Mercy Nursery School Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, which was letter Changed to Queens Nursery School.
He feature for his primary school team and also playing for his secondary school, although he did not feature so much because of his height.
In his university days, he became the first student from the department of Industrial Chemistry to play for the University team as early as his first year in 2004.
He went ahead to be the first captain of his department and Faculty of Sciences in 2006 where he led his department and faculty to fourth/second positions in the first inter-departmental/Faculty football competitions in Elele Campus of Madonna University.
Hardy was also known for scoring goals a rare feat by defenders as well as his ability to jump above taller players, hence the slogan ‘It’s not by height, but by lifting’.
During NYSC, he won silver medal with Team Edo State as well as captaining his hometown’s team for close to a decade.
Before and during his university days, he also tried acting, where he was known for many roles he has played within and outside his Church. He also played other roles in Madonna University theatre Throop, where he was classic in native doctor roles, the same role which saw him and his platoon take second position in NYSC drama competition in the camp at Edo State in 2008.
Hardy also has love for teaching and has also expressed his love to be a lecturer someday.
Writing
He was never known as someone who could write until his final year [SS3] in Secondary School where he started with poetry and short stories.
His interest improved and between 2001 and 2003, he has entered for several online poetry and play competitions including BBC Africa and International play writing competition.
He went on to develop with his love for computers and it changed his life after graduation as he went ahead to take a self tutorial to learn web designing and social media marketing.
He later worked with Nigeria Newspoint Newspapers in Owerri, Imo State as a graphic designer, entertainment columnist and website administrator. Being the to feature an all local entertainment column in an Imo State based newspaper, something that would kickoff entertainment media revolution in the state.
During his time at Nigeria Newspoint, he wrote articles ranging from business, social media marketing and motivational.
With the public accepting his style of entertainment reporting, his confidence grew and it was time to see that a book he started in 2006 during his industrial Training at Nichben Pharmaceutical Industries, Awo-omamma, Oru East L.G.A. Imo State gets published.
He applied to several publishers abroad and latter his book was approved by Daniel J Stanley of Apha Academic Press, a USA based publishing firm.
In November 2013, the book, Chronicles of Age finally came on print and kindle version. In January 2014, it went on eBay, Barnes and Nobles as well as other international book stores.
Hardy has so far written many articles which are scattered in several websites on the internet.
www.otowngist.com
In May, 2012, Chinedu Hardy Nwadike launched the first local news entertainment website in South-East and South-South Nigeria with its root in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State.
He started talking to upcoming and known artistes, dancers, comedian and other entertainment stake holders in the state and beyond.
The website was never an easy task for the Industrial Chemist turned Entertainment reporter; people advised him to stay away from Owerri because there was nothing happening there.
Not heeding to their advice, he continued to push his project as well as urging entertainment columnists in Imo State based newspapers and tabloid to always pick stories from his website, to encouraged the homegrown artistes whom many had previously considered as misfits for the entertainment columns of newspapers.
Today, the presence of the website www.otowngist.com has caused revolution in the entertainment industry of Imo State, inspiring other blogs to spring up as well making people outside the state see that something is happening in the state in the area of entertainment. Local Newspapers are also appreciating the importance of local stories against the initial belief that the only thing that could be called entertainment news are events in Lagos and Abuja.
Religious Activities
Although born of Methodist parents, Hardy grew up attending St. Peters Anglican Church Irete where he did his Sunday School because his main church was far from their neighbourhood.
When he came of age, he started attending Methodist Church Nigeria, which was his mother church and so far, he is a former Local Church Youth President, current Circuit President and Diocesan Vice President at Methodist Church Nigeria Youth Fellowship in Orji Circuit and Diocese of Owerri respectively.
He has also served in various committees in the church at the diocesan and National levels.
Aside the positions in the church, he has strong love for God and ultimate submission to the will of God.
Music
Chinedu Hardy Nwadike saw his time in music as fun. In 2012 he did his first recording with the De Dukes, a track produced by his bosom friend Chijioke Okonkwo [Cjay]. Due to lack of confidence and time, that recording was never completed and so was never released.
In December 2012, he did another recording titled, Happy Birthday with top rappers Acharaman, LMG, De Dukes, Pluto and singer KozyG and to him it was an unofficial release although the songs received many accolades and airplay.
In August 25, 2013, he took the bold step of releasing his debut single titled, ‘Shadow’ where he featured another rapper, Murda Crack and the track was produced by Somik.
In January 2, 2014 which was his birthday, he released another track, ‘My Dream’ featuring Romy and Floxy with the production done by Zikay.
In March of the same year, he released a tribute track alongside LMG, YungrRoc and Floxy for his friend, Prince Emmanuel Tochukwu Unegbu [Prince Noel] who was murdered in his Hotel room in Owerri Imo State on February 4, 2014.
Hardy is working on other tracks and hopes to own music videos and albums someday.
Awards and recognition
Aside other football laurels he has received, Chinedu Hardy Nwadike received his first national award in 2009 from the Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps Edo State being a Certificate of Commendation, for good performance, loyalty and devotion during service year.
Another major award to him came in 2013 when the Association of Fine & Applied Arts Students, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerrri decorated him as Distinguished Associate Artist for his love and support for arts in Imo State.
For the same reason and his contributions to the growth of entertainment in Imo State, he also received a merit award from E-Sure Celebrity Awards now E-Celebrity Awards in 2013.
Working with other talents
He does not hide his love for talents, especially when it is bestowed in the very young folks.
When he had kicked off www.otowngist.com, he brought in talented poet, writer and artist, Hillary Uzomba who served as a correspondent before the coming of Ugochi Oparanozie, Adanna Obi and Chinaza Ikeagwuno who are also wonderful writers.
He also has Rosie Young in his ranks as well others he has encouraged to believe in what they can do.
When Hardy watched singer, Florence Chinwendu Izuchukwu aka Floxy perform for the first time, he believed the young girl could someday become one of the greatest singers in the country because she has the voice and flexibility needed for great stage performance.
Since 2013, he had been working with Floxy who has flourished to a great artiste after with less than 12 months in the music industry.
Floxy is his full time project while there are still others whom he has helped to lift their level in one way or another.
Family/Others
Hardy has two elder sisters, Ngozi Nwadike and Chioma Nwadike; two younger brother Emeka Nelson Nwadike and Ndubuisi McBarnard Nwadike.
He grew up with his parents until 1992, when his mother, Peace Oguoma Nwadike died. His father remarried and the product of the marriage is two step-brothers Chukwuebuka Nwadike and Ugochukwu Nwadike with a step sister and baby of the house Chidinma Nwadike.
He is a calm and friendly person who always wants to listen to what people have to say.
Social Media Accounts:
Website: http://hardynwa.com http://hardynwa.otowngist.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hardynwa
Facebook: http://facebook.com/hardynwa
Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/hardynwa
Instagram: http://instagram.com/hardynwa
Googleplus: +ChineduHardyNwadike
