KWU’s Christian Musical Artist: Mano Faks

Immanuel “Mano” Fakoyare at first glace appears like any other Kansas Wesleyan University foreign student. He volunteers for the campus and is involved in work study and community groups. He played for the soccer team during his undergraduate degree. However, Fakoyare unique hobby lives outside the realm of KWU. His greatest passion comes from his belief in God and Christ, and as “Mano Faks,” he spreads that belief as a musician, singer, and songwriter.

Mano Faks music. Photo by August Phlieger. 

History from Home

“I feel like people are drawn by the sound of music. Humans, we were made for music…Music is not just about the words, no, its about how it affects your soul,” said Fakoyare.

Fakoyare originally grew up in Mullingar, Ireland. His family would go on to move to nearby Dublin, Ireland soon after he was born. Born to Nigerian parents, he was raised to love the sport of soccer and music while still valuing education. Fakoyare began learning music at a young age.

“Growing up in church, my mum was one of the choir leaders. So there’s times when I was a kid and I was the only one home, and she would have to bring me. So I would just hang around and be in their rehearsal, observe what they were doing, ya know…I feel like, as the years went on, I took on the bass…I knew the fundamentals, but I didn’t take it seriously. Then my brother took on the base, cause he was a drummer before hand, and he got so good at it. He started playing at church…So I took on the electric guitar,” Fakoyare commented.

However, before taking on the electric guitar, Fakoyare went on to say, “There was a classical (acoustic) guitar that my church had. Nobody used it. No one used it. Just accumulating dust. I was like ‘Ya know what, let me bring this home and start learning cords.’ My brother’s friend had a chord book that he gave me. That’s when I started learning chords…so then I start playing at church.”

Finding His Faith

Mano Faks jammin’ out. Photo by August Phlieger

While he grew as a musician, Fakoyare asked himself some important questions.

“Whenever I was uh, say 16, 17, I knew where I wanted to go and I knew that I wanted to go far in life. But I knew that it wasn’t going to be possible without involving God. Because I knew my ability, my capacity, and the people around me…I knew there were a lot more talented people than me,” Fakoyare said.

“So, I was like, ‘God, I know where I wanna go…I know how far I wanna get in this life, but I don’t wanna do it without you. Because I know if I don’t involve you in it, I’m not gonna get as far as I could.’ Ya know, so that’s when I decided I’m gonna walk with God, walk with Christ. It’s been a long process, a very very long process. My faith has been tested multiple times times…but those times were needed to make me into the man I am today. So yeah, man, I haven’t looked back ever since”

Mano’s Ministry

When Fakoyare started his music ministry, he began exploring the world of production.

“Producing came about just by me producing samples on my guitar. I didn’t actually start ‘producing’ producing until I decided ”oh ya know what, I’m gonna release a song.’ My first ever song I produced that on GarageBand. It went from me just using guitar samples to playing around with different instruments. That made me dig deeper and deeper and deeper into producing. In a way when you play a guitar, in a way, you are producing. That’s what producing is, producing is you making sound,” Fakoyare commented.

Since he began producing, Mano Faks released several singles. “Yahweh,” his first single released in 2024 as a spontaneous production. After releasing it, he began work on his second single, “Only You.” Originally intended as an instrumental song, Fakoyare’s production team helped to shape it into both an acoustic and vocal version released in 2025. As recently as September 12, 2025 , Mano Faks released his single, “Your Ways.”

Fakoyare said, “I have two more coming this year. After that, I feel like this year will be like a chill end. Next year, we got something cooking for next year…Next year we’re not playing.”

For more information of how KWU students help lead ministries, click here.

All of Fakoyare’s music links can be found here.