There are ongoing efforts by a committee of friends and associates of the late Aib, led by Amos McRoy Osifo to celebrate Aib’s life and times, celebrate his legacy, and honour his memory through a major, befitting tribute series of concerts. Consisting of musicians, entertainers, the media, and related fields, whose lives were greatly touched in one way or the other by Aib Igiehon’s Midas Touch, the objective is to immortalise his name and legacy
Aib, as he was fondly called, was the originator of the annual Nigerian Food and Culture Festival which usually held at either the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS or the International Trade Fair Complex. The week-long festival usually featured several top and upcoming musicians and cultural groups performing, while every state had one or two representatives to showcase the peculiar culture of the states in their booth
HARRIS Aibangbee Igiehon, co-founder and lead partner of the once famous AIBTONIA, the music and entertainment promotion outfit, passed on May 11.
Described as “an entertainment veteran, legend and a founding father of live music concerts in Nigeria” by his associates and mentees, Aib, a trained architect turned showbiz entrepreneur, died in the USA after a long bout of illness, which had left him incapacitated for a while.
His family, left by his adorable wife and partner, Tonia, was in the country recently and hinted that Aib’s funeral rites would be held in February next year. She disclosed that his remains would be flown back to his beloved Nigeria, and he would be interred in Benin City, his natïve home.
Towards this date, Aib’s associates mostly artists and entertainment workers he mentored, or whose lives and careers he helped shaped while he was very active — have launched a move to stage a series of “befitting concerts” to “immortalise his legacy; honour his memory”, and essentially to “celebrate his impactful life.”
Led by the popular reggae act and activist, Amos McRoy, with support of such eminent artists as Pupa Oritz Wiliki and Black O’Rice,’ among others, the concerts will hold both in Lagos and Benin City at about the time the funeral rites would be in progress.
“The star-studded musical concerts in his honour are slated for the 2nd of February 2025 at the Freedom Park, Lagos, and in Benin City between the 6th and 9th of February 2025, when the remains of the enigmatic godfather of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, would be laid to rest at his residence in Benin City,” stated McRoy of the popular group, Ja’stix.
Among artists who have indicated interest in being part of the concerts, especially the oe slated for Freedom Park Lagos Island are: Pupa Orits Williki; Righteousman; Buchi; Emma Grey; Daniel Wilson; Felix Duke; Faya; Gboyega Adelaja; Mr Simmy; Ja’stix Reggae Band (Black O’Rice & Amos McRoy; Mr Kool; Alex O; Zubby Enebeli; and Yemi Benson.
In a press statement, McRoy explained why Aib Igiehon deserves the celebration, he writes:
“Architect Aibangbee Harris Igiehon otherwise known as Aibtonia who brought life to live outdoor music concerts in Nigeria has bowed out
“His forays into the Nigerian entertainment industry began in 1982 when he brought several Jamaican superstars such as Marcia Griffiths, Mutabaruka, Steel Pulse, Mighty etc on a mini tour of Nigeria which kicked off at the main bowl of the then Ogbe stadium (now Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium)
“Aib as he was fondly called, was the originator of the annual Nigerian Food and Culture Festival which usually held at either the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS or the International Trade Fair Complex. The week-long festival usually featured several top and upcoming musicians and cultural groups performing while every state had one or two representatives to showcase the peculiar culture of the states in their booth.
“During these festivals, artists such as Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, Alhaji Kolington Ayinla, Queen Salawa Abeni, Onyeka Onwenu, Daniel Wilson, Amos McRoy, Comfort Omoge, Pupa Orits Williki, Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek, The Mandators, Mike Okri, Uche Ibeto etc perform live
“Aib was also the brain behind the General IBB-led federal military government-sponsored MAMSER (Mass Mobilization for Social Awareness) nationwide musical tour from February to April in 1989. On this tour were such artists as, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, Majek Fashek, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Dan Maraya Jos, The Mandators, alongside several locally based artists
“Aib also organised several nationwide or regional musical tours in conjunction with several multi-national companies such as: The Nigerian Breweries Plc, Golden Guinea Breweries, Sona Breweries, Cadbury, PZ, Lever Brothers and a host of others
“Besides all these, Aib was a father to all in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
“He touched so many lives in the industry including Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Evangelist Sonny Okosuns, Alhaji Kolington Ayinla, Queen Salawa Abeni, Onyeka Onwenu, Daniel Wilson, The Ja’stix, Amos McRoy, Majek Fashek, Black O’Rice, George Orwell’s, The Mandators, Orits Williki, Ras Kimono, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Mike Okri, Sound on Sound (S.O.S band) and many more
“It was Aib who rescued the internationally-renowned “Reggae SunSplah Organisation” when they brought several international music stars on tour of Nigeria and several West African countries as well as Gabon.
“They came with concert equipment from the United States of America which uses 110 wattage electricity while Nigeria uses 220 wattage, hence none of their massive equipment could work in Nigeria; they were in a serious dilemma until somebody introduced them to Aib, who had just shipped in his customized JBL live concert equipment which was eventually used for Reggae Sunsplash tour 1988 and had artists such as: Burning Spear, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Judy Mowatts, Sly & Rubby’s Taxi Gang, Chalice band, Cotch band, Ja’stix Reggae Band etc
“There are ongoing efforts by a committee of friends and associates of the late Aib, led by Amos McRoy Osifo to celebrate Aib’s life and times, celebrate his legacy, and honour his memory through a major, befitting tribute series of concerts. Consisting of musicians, entertainers, the media, and related fields, whose lives were greatly touched in one way or the other by Aib Igiehon’s Midas Touch, the objective is to immortalise his name and legacy.”
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