As a teen ager, Mike joined the 11th Division of the Biafran Army under the command of Colonel Nwawo, which covered the Onitsha sector of the Nigeria-Biafra war during the Biafra struggle which lasted from 1967 to 1970.
Mike accepted CHRIST as his personal savior in 1968 and immediately turned his attention to Christian evangelism. After graduating from high school, his activities in the evangelistic ministry eventually brought him together with one of Nigeria's music icon, Goddy Oku, who was the pop music band leader of the 70s Hygrades of Enugu. Mike was fascinated with the pop rhythm of the 70s but was hindered from embracing the music fully because the lyrics did not talk about Jesus the CHRIST. Young Christians of his generation were deprived of good music with Jesus lyrics and Mike decided to change the status quo. As the saying goes: "you can't throw away the bath water with the baby in it". Mike got busy with composing Christian songs with Jesus lyrics to minister to the youth of his generation. Under the music tutelage of Goddy Oku, Mike was able to record his songs with fusions of pop, reggae, funk, ballad and highlife beats to come up with his own unique rhythm which young Christians of his generation were yawning for. That was the genesis of contemporary gospel music in Nigeria of which Mike was the pioneer.
Mike released his first gospel music album titled "God Is Gracious" in 1976 with "Jesus Is My Ebenezer" as one of the hit singles. He followed it up with 2 more albums – "Darling Jesus" and "Jesus Revolution" in 1977. The first album generated enough revenue to enable Mike finance his exit from Nigeria to Aberdeen, Scotland to further his education in 1977.
Mike transferred from Scotland, UK to Tennessee, US in 1978 to continue his education. There, he release his first music album in the US titled "Rise & Shine" in 1983 and followed it up with a second album titled "Jesus Died of A Broken Heart" in 1986. Both albums were released under his own music label known as "Kanopy Records" which he established in Nashville (Music City), Tennessee.
Mike wrote and arranged all the lyrics and music and also did the lead vocals in all the songs recorded in all his albums.
Mike moved to Atlanta with his family in 1988 when he realized that Atlanta was a virgin territory waiting to explode with tremendous opportunities for people of African descent. In 1989, he established his advertising and magazine publishing company called "Kanopy Corporation" of which he remains the Publishing Editor of the company's magazine – Ebony Pages Magazine, to date (22 consecutive years and counting) www.ebonypages.com
In 2002, with his identifying pioneering spirit, Mike made his mark on the American television medium and created his weekly TV program titled "African Treasures Television Show" which premiered on the AIB TV Cable Network - Comcast Channel 5 in Atlanta and reached over one million homes within the Atlanta Metropolis. After six consecutive years on the AIB Network, he moved his TV show to Clark Atlanta University TV (CAU TV) where it currently runs. The TV program showcases African arts, culture, music, dance and discussions on issues that concern people of the African descent all over the world. Mike remains the Host and the Executive Producer of this pioneer TV program. www.AfricanTreasuresTV.com
In 2004, Mike organized a fund raising banquet during which he raised sufficient funds he used to send two African American high school students from North Clayton High School in Atlanta, to visit the West African country of Gambia for the purpose of "Knowing Motherland Africa". The visit changed the lives and views of the participating African American students.
In 2011, Mike established the OKEKE LAW GROUP, PC, with the nerve center (main office) located in down town Atlanta. Mike serves as the Attorney at Law for the law firm.
Dr. Mike Okeke is the Founding President of the Nnewi Union Atlanta, Inc., his home town organization which he pioneered in February of 1992. He remains very involved in community affairs of Nnewians, Igbos, Nigerians and Africans within the Atlanta Metropolis and on various internet fora.
Dr. Mike Okeke and his family were members of the New Life Presbyterian Church in Atlanta for over 25 consecutive years, before joining the New Hope Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia in March 2017, where Rev. Rhys Stenner is the Senior Pastor.
As a believer in the redemptive power of Jesus the CHRIST, two of Mike's favorite bible passages are Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me), and Revelation 12:11 (And they overcame him by the blood of the LAMB, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death)