John Nnoke (a.k.a. Jolly Johnny) was born on the 28th of June, 1976. He grew up as a Catholic, in a Catholic family, studied at National Root Crops Research Institute Primary School (N.R.C.R.I), Umudike, Umuahia, New Layout Primary School II, Abakaliki, Command Secondary School, Abakaliki(C.S.S.A.), an ex seminarian of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, St. Augustine's Spiritual Year Seminary, Abakaliki, Carmelite Institute, Onuiyi Nsukka, and Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

 

Jolly John is an on-air personality, a producer/presenter on Radio Nigeria, Unity Fm 101.5, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

 

He joined St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Okpaugwu, Abakaliki Choir in 1995, and since then, has had the burning zeal to put praises to God into the mouth of all peoples. This gave birth to some of his musical compositions which include Aja Nsopuru N'ugwu, Chi Mara Obim, Ndi Nso Ñuriba, Dance to the Altar, Gozie Nwa M, Bata Dozie Biri, Olileanya Ike Eligwe, O Lamb of God, Ka Alaeze Gi Bia, Our Father, Chukwu Di Egwu, Igirigi Mmuo Nso, and a host of others.

 

John composed the Radio Nigeria, Unity Fm Anthem, The Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC) Anthem, and packaged the audio for Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki Anthem.

 

John taught music in Madonna Secondary School, Umuhuali for ten years, and had been a Choirmaster to St. Joseph's Catholic Chaplaincy Choir EBSU, Abakaliki, St. Augustine's Students Choir, Tansy Nathy's Chaplaincy, Ishieke, Corpus Christy Parish Choir, Umuhuali, Ishielu LGA, Radio Nigeria Unity Fm Choir, Abakaliki, Light Eternal Foundation (Lernafound) Choir, Abakaliki, Assemblies of God Morning Praise Choir, Ahia-ofuu, under the Focal Person SDG Ebonyi State, Evang. Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, St. Jude Umuozeokaoha Parish Choir, Ebonyi State and so on.

 

John is currently the Coordinator of Mater Dei Choir, St. Joseph's Chaplaincy, CAS Campus, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

 

He has been a member of the Ebonyi State 1,999 man Choir, under His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Chief David Umahi (Ekubaraoha), Ebonyi State University Choir, and performed in so many occasions. He has produced some music albums which include "God Go Understand", "Chi Mara Obim", "Ifeoma" and "Ama Praise". He has also been contributory to the productions of music albums of many churches. He has trained soloists of repute like Dr. Uzoma Agwu, Late Mrs. Ifeoma Obinna, Lina Basil, Chiamaka Ojeanya and a host of others. He is also deeply involved in the entertainment industry and has performed with personalities including Gregory Odiakosa, Samchel, Gozie Okeke, Late Man of Joy, and so on.

 

John has trained notable organists like Francis Uzuakpunwa (The Blacksmith), Chinaza Emeruwa, Fr. Alex Eze, Fr. Cyril Ukpah, Fr. Luke Onwe, and a litany of others amounting to about 50 in number.

 

According to John Nnoke: "I believe that the day my music life stops, is the day I die. To God be the Glory!"