Music maestro Pal Akalonu gets grand farewell

The city of Owerri in Imo State is preparing to bid a final farewell to the late music icon Pal Akalonu, popularly known as Ndaa Pal. From August 19 to 23, 2026, family, friends, musicians, and community leaders will gather to celebrate the life and enduring legacy of the cultural giant whose influence spanned generations in Eastern Nigeria's highlife music scene.

Akalonu was a multifaceted figure: a songwriter, producer, promoter, director, mentor, and cultural custodian. His passing is seen not just as the loss of an individual but as the departure of a key architect of the region’s musical identity. The funeral program is structured over four days, featuring tributes, musical performances, religious ceremonies, and a thanksgiving service.

The festivities commence with a Night of Tributes and Musicals at Rimrock Hotel, Owerri. Live bands will perform seminal works produced by Akalonu, including music associated with legendary groups like the Oriental Brothers and Sweet Breeze. This event aims to reunite musicians and admirers who grew up with music nurtured under Akalonu's guidance.

Akalonu's career was deeply intertwined with the post-Nigerian Civil War rebuilding of Eastern Nigeria's cultural confidence. He dedicated himself to discovering, nurturing, and promoting musical talent, transforming raw potential into organized musical groups. His association with the Sweet Breeze Band was particularly impactful, creating an era where music offered healing and social connection to a populace emerging from conflict trauma. His work ensured songs became vehicles for preserving memories, celebrating culture, and providing a sense of identity for young people.