Music maestro Pal Akalonu gets grand farewell
August 16, 2026 12:00 am
By Naomi Chima
The music, memories and legacy of late music icon, Pal Akalonu, will take centre stage in Owerri, Imo State, as family, friends, musicians, community leaders and admirers gather to bid the cultural giant a final farewell from August 19-23.
Akalonu, popularly known as Ndaa Pal, was a songwriter, producer, promoter, director, mentor and cultural custodian whose contributions to the development of highlife music in Eastern Nigeria spanned generations.
For those who knew him closely, his death represents not just the passing of an individual, but the departure of one of the men who helped shape the region’s musical identity.
His funeral programme features four days of tributes, music, religious ceremonies and thanksgiving in his honour.
The activities will begin with a Night of Tributes and Musicals at Rimrock Hotel, Owerri, where live bands will perform some of the music produced by the late music patriarch, including works associated with the Oriental Brothers, Sweet Breeze, Peacocks and other groups.
The event is expected to bring together musicians and admirers who grew up listening to music nurtured and produced by Akalonu.
A Service of Songs will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Ubah Mbaoma, Emii, Owerri North, before the funeral ceremony and reception at the same church.
The funeral activities will conclude with a Thanksgiving Mass at the church.
For Akalonu, music was more than entertainment. His life and career were closely connected to the rebuilding of Eastern Nigeria’s cultural confidence after the Nigerian Civil War.
At a time when the region was grappling with the physical and psychological scars of the conflict, Akalonu devoted himself to discovering, nurturing and promoting musical talents.
He helped young musicians find their voices and transformed raw talent into organised musical groups.
One of the most enduring chapters of his career was his association with the legendary Sweet Breeze Band, which became a major musical institution in the East.
His younger brother, Basil Akalonu, popularly known as Bazy Co, was also associated with the band, adding a family dimension to the musical legacy.
Sweet Breeze became more than a musical group. For many admirers, it represented an era when music offered healing and social connection to a people emerging from the trauma of war.
Through his work, songs became vehicles for preserving memories, celebrating culture and giving young people a sense of identity.
Beyond his work with individual bands, Akalonu will also remembered for his commitment to Igbo culture.
He was regarded as a mentor by many musicians and an accessible community figure despite his achievements and titles.
For some of his admirers, however, the most important part of Akalonu’s legacy was the people he influenced.
As Owerri prepares for his funeral, the planned Night of Tributes and Musicals is expected to provide an appropriate opening to the farewell.
Naomi Chima is an entertainment and lifestyle correspondent at Punch Newspapers with over three years of experience. She covers Nigerian entertainment, culture, and social events, conducts personality interviews, and contributes to features across desks. Her work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to engaging, accurate, and audience-focused journalism.
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