Nigerian musical and broadcasting old brigade have descended on Owerri, Imo state.
This is because legendary broadcaster and music producer Pal Akalonu is set to be laid to rest at his home town of Emii, Owerri North LGA Imo state today 21st August, 2026.
Already, members of his music family made up of his protegees scattered globally have besieged the Imo state capital for the celebrative but solemn event.
His musical protegees including surviving members of the Sweet Breeze led by Pastor Dallas Kingsley Anyanwu, Apostles led by Eze Walton Arungwa, Chief Pekos Ekpo, Allan B Onyemaechi, Frank Fyne, Soki Ohale, members of Music Elders Forum and a host of others had earlier planned for a night of musical tributes but it was later shelved for a virtual tributes event on zoom held Monday 17th August at 8pm.
Before his private interment as dictated by his wish, a funeral service holds at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Ubah Emii, Owerri. A reception is also set for same venue there after.
However Akalonu may have died aged 91 with about three major regrets.
One of these regrets was not being considered for any national honors for contributions to the development of Nigeria’s arts and culture. This regret he voiced out during an Arise TV interview.
Another regret is that his recorded album produced by Kamharida Handel Anyanwu, son of Pastor Kingsley Dallas Anyanwu of Sweet Breeze was not released in his life time.
Perhaps the biggest regret which Ndaa Pal as he was fondly called always voiced out was living beyond his younger brother famous drummer Basil Akalonu known to many as Bazy Cole and formerly of the famed Sweet Breeze.
During the funeral of Bazy Cole about three years ago, Ndaa Pal voiced out his regret on the loss of a beloved younger brother whom he had expected to bury him only to pass on earlier.
For our information, Pal Akalonu was born into a musical family in 1935.
His father played keyboards which musically influenced him and his siblings.
He naturally entered broadcasting joining NBC and later became a producer with the ENBC during the civil war.
After the war, Akalonu became a music producer for NTA Aba from where he harvested almost all the many musical talents of that era guiding them to musical and recording excellence. The Wings, Apostles, Sweet Breeze, Founders 15, One World, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Soki Ohale, Peacocks and a host of others.
His production interests was diverse as he was not only interested in pop music but also produced traditional, cultural and even choir music and hymnals.
This made some people to refer to him as Nigerian Quincy Jones.
He retired as a General Manager at NTA.
