User:Lordakpante

Akpante Marshal Bikwe (born August 10, 1985), currently known by his stage name Edge,is a Nigeria graphics / web designer, entertainment consultant, Motivational Speaker, columnist, song writer and movie director.

Background information

Birth name: Akpante Marshal Bikwe

Also Known as: Edge Marshal

Born: 10 - Aug - 1985

Origin: Cross River Nigeria

Occupation: Graphics Artist, Entertainment Consultant

Website

He was originally known as Akpante II (second) and then as Edge (Cassius Clay and Edge being often used as a nickname, but never as recording names). In March 2010, he changed his middle name from "Patrick" to "Marshal" which is actually his father’s name. He claims never to like the name Patrick even though it was passed on to him from his grand daddy. Akpante II has been referring to himself as "The Lord of Curves".

His business interests under the umbrella of Akpante II Group Worldwide include Fun Brokers Entertainment; the Graphics design Unit called Design Squad; a movie production company; and a transportation company. He has taken the roles of recording executive, performer, writer, clothing designer, and teacher.

Early life


Akpante II was born Ogoja local government of Cross River Nigeria, the son of Agnes, a nurse and midwife, and Dr. Marshal Bikwe, a medical doctor and politician. He grew up in both Ogoja and Cross River State of Nigeria, When Akpante II was a child, his mother, got separated with his father and later divorced and he ended up being raised by an abusive step mother and the streets since his dad was never home even though there both lived in the same house. While he was struggling to know his dad as a teenager, his father ran into some political troubles which led him into self exile and later death.

Akpante II has stated that he is a Christian. But hates to hear people hold God responsible for their mis-fortunes based on mis-understanding or for the purpose of deceit.

My life has also being associated with lots of names raging from influence or exhibition I guess, first he was given the nickname "Cassius Clay" I grew up in a neighborhood where you must hurt someone in order to be heard (survive) and I think I went a step further. Later i was called "Edge" and my friends will say its because my reaction to things is always at the extreme, i have come to accept that only from the profession point, that is, when i take up a project, my desire is always to see it being successfully pushed to another level where no one has ever attained. According to him, the challenges in life have led me into lots of things that some makes me proud of myself today. Things like sports (football, basket ball, weightlifting, and racing) journalism, photographing, politicking, computer literacy, horticulture, society and associations.

Career
Akpante II attended University of Abuja, in Abuja the capital of Nigeria, where he was awarded a bachelor degree in Theatre Arts, while in school he took a step forward in his dreams of becoming a musician and a politician just like his father, and gained a reputation as a rapper and concept promoter. He later proceeded in joining a video producing company (Thashee Media) which he met while helping a friend produce a music video and from that time till I graduated, it was from lecture to video production and production to the examination hall. It was during his time in school that he produced the first ever full color entertainment magazine in the campus that was sold for almost nothing because the production cost had already being paid off by the sponsors.

Follow this link

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164018&id=565205967&l=5cb3239991

to view some of my design jobs.

Establishing Fiend’s Entertainment.
In August 2002 The Fiend’s entertainment was establish, out of the burning desire of  show casing Akpante II own creativity, because according to him, working just as service provider under someone’s company, limits you to creativity and craftsmanship pride,  because you boss will always be the one to decide which job is to be release to the market and he also takes the credit. The Fiend was later changed to the FUN Brokers following lots of criticism based on misunderstanding of the meaning of the name FIEND’s. Even though the Fiend’s entertainment was faced with lots of challenges, Akpante II still refers to the experience as a lession leant and highly appreciated. Before the name change, the Fiends Entertainment had embark on lots of event ranging from pageant shows to music concert and publication of magazines which all was geared majorly in the publication of upcoming talents.

Ventures
In addition to his entertainment outfit, Akpante II owns a transportation company, though he has own lots of business ventures in the past, but based on the agreed terms after a period of time he gives them out to his employees. for he believes if you make a worker belief the venture can be his in the future, he will definitely give out his best to the business for the reason that he is not just being used by his employers.

Personal life
Akpante II has never been married, and he doesn’t have any child yet, nevertheless, his love for the female fowls has never being estimated at any point of time, he just feels it’s good to take it slow being that there is always a right time for everything. In 2007, Akpante II was made the “King of Gwagwalada Entertainment” as this was also written in a column by Paul Obi a renowned writer in University of Abuja at the time. WOrking with lots of Non- governmental organization (NGO), Akpante II has embarked on lots of charity work ranging from teaching (computer, language), to donation and lots more, to all for the good of humanity.