For Ann Uwa Anthony, known in the music industry as Nurse Tonia, music is more than a career she once dreamed of pursuing. It is a gift she believes God placed in her long before she became a registered nurse and a woman whose life has taken her across continents.
 
After years of putting that passion on the back burner, following a difficult period living in Europe that involved an abusive marriage and the heartbreaking loss of a child who passed away just 17 days after birth, she is stepping back into the music scene, a dream she has carried for decades with purpose, faith and a story to tell.
  
Her return comes with the release of Yesu Mbe A E and Jesus Otokinadu, two deeply personal gospel songs forged out of hardship, reflection and an enduring faith in God. Nurse Tonia’s music, which incorporates elements of gospel, old school, Afrobeats, and indigenous rhythms, is a reflection of the dynamic and varied Nigerian music landscape.
 
“Music has always been in my DNA,” she says, recalling her early years and her experiences trying to find a place in Nigeria’s music industry in the 1990s. “Unlike today, there was no easy access to digital platforms, streaming services, or the infrastructure available to emerging artistes.”
  
The United States-based registered nurse and Soldier, remembers a period when she and her brother, Ras Murphy Van Anthony, moved from Benin to Lagos following the death of their father.
 
Without financial security or an established support system, they survived largely through determination, even pleading with event organisers to allow them to perform without payment simply for the opportunity to be heard. Those difficult years, however, did not kill her musical ambition. Instead, they became part of the story she now hopes to tell through music.
 
With about 30 songs already recorded, Nurse Tonia says she could produce several albums. Rather than rushing to release everything, she has opted for a gradual rollout, beginning with singles that can introduce audiences to her sound.
  
Her music sits comfortably within the Afro-gospel space, blending worship, Afrobeat rhythms and other influences. Sink in My Destiny is one of the projects reflecting her spiritual journey and determination not to allow her God-given talent to go unused. But it is Yesu Mbe A E that perhaps captures her story most intimately.
 
The song emerged during a particularly painful period of her life. She recorded the idea on her phone, preserving what she believes was a divine moment of inspiration. She describes singing to God while dealing with profound personal challenges, allowing the melody and words to flow naturally.
 
According to her, her experience as a nurse has also reshaped how she sees life. She added that working with patients, including people who once occupied positions of wealth, influence, and fame, has reinforced her belief that life is temporary and that character matters more than status.

That perspective has strengthened her desire to use music to glorify God, encourage people, and leave a meaningful legacy.
 
As Nurse Tonia continues to balance her professional life with her musical calling, she sees music as more than another career option. She believes it is part of her destiny. “I just want to sing for the Lord,” she says, expressing hopes of eventually dedicating more of her time to gospel music and charitable work.
  
With Yesu Mbe A E already distributed to platforms including YouTube, Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify, and Audiomack, Nurse Tonia is no longer waiting in the shadows. She is finally answering the call she believes has been with her all along.