In the story of Nigerian Afro-Funk in the 1970s, one city repeatedly appears in the memories of musicians and music lovers alike — Aba.
Though not a state capital, Aba emerged as one of the most vibrant entertainment centres in Eastern Nigeria in the years following the Nigerian Civil War. As a commercial hub attracting traders and young people from across the region, the city developed a lively nightlife that provided fertile ground for the rise of modern Nigerian bands.
A central figure in this musical ecosystem was Mazi Pal Akalonu, a television presenter, promoter and music producer based at NTA Aba. Through his influential television programme, remembered by many as Now Sound, Akalonu created one of the most important platforms for emerging bands of the era.
At a time when television exposure for musicians was extremely limited, his programme brought bands directly into the homes of viewers across Eastern Nigeria. Many of the groups that later became associated with the Afro-Funk movement appeared on the show, gaining visibility and wider audiences.
One story often cited illustrates Akalonu’s role in shaping the era. During preparations for a performance in Aba, the popular band The Funkees reportedly failed to arrive for a scheduled show. Faced with an empty stage, Pal Akalonu called upon his younger brother Basil Akalonu, a drummer who had travelled with fellow students from Enugu.
Although the students were not originally scheduled to perform, Akalonu quickly assembled them and introduced them under a newly coined name — Sweet Breeze. Their performance impressed the audience and helped launch the band’s career.
Stories such as this reflect the improvisational spirit of the Afro-Funk era, when bands could emerge almost overnight from the enthusiasm of young musicians eager to perform.
Aba’s nightlife further contributed to the city’s musical vibrancy. Venues such as Hotel Unicoco and Crystal Park became major performance centres where bands entertained audiences night after night. These venues attracted musicians from across Eastern Nigeria and neighbouring regions.
During the 1970s the city hosted a remarkable concentration of talent. Bands such as:
- The Funkees
- The Wings
- Wrinkars Experience
- The Apostles
- Cloud 7
- Founders 15
- The Strangers
- Soki Ohale and his band
were all part of the musical energy circulating through Aba at various times.
Beyond promotion and television exposure, Mazi Pal Akalonu also played a major role as a music producer. On record, he is credited with producing more than fifty recordings for various bands and artistes. These include productions for:
- Peacock Guitar Band
- The Wings
- The Semi-Colon
- Sweet Breeze
- Founders 15
- Heads Funk
- The Apostles
- One World
- Christy Essien‑Igbokwe
- Soki Ohale
- Sonny Enang
- Oriental Brothers International Band
- Stone Face Iwuagwu
His work placed him among the most active music producers in Eastern Nigeria during the period.
In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, Mazi Pal Akalonu was voted Best Entertainment Manager in 1985.
Despite these achievements, national recognition for his contributions has remained limited. In a 2025 interview with Arise News, Akalonu reflected on his long career and expressed disappointment that his role in the development of Nigerian entertainment and culture had not received significant recognition from the Federal Government.
Remarkably, he also revealed in that interview that he was still prepared to record and release an album at the age of ninety, demonstrating the enduring passion that had defined his career for decades.
The story of Aba’s Afro-Funk movement cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the role played by figures such as Mazi Pal Akalonu. Through television, promotion, and record production, he helped create a platform on which many bands refined their sound before carrying Nigerian music to audiences across the country.