By Charles Okogene
He was named Aibangbee Harris Igiehon, at birth in his native Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
But we knew him simply as AIBTONIA in the music circle where he sold his soul to, though, he trained as an architect.
This is the very short intro of Igiehon.for all those who are above 50 and do not know him or.k ew him but have forgotten his incredible contributions to the music industry especially the promotional aspect.
He was a promoter per excellence
I cannot fully document his contributions here but suffice to say that there was no musical concert held in Nigeria in the ’80s/90s and up till early 2000s that did not have his inprint.
AIBTONIA according to information reaching charlesokogene. com died some weeks ago in America where he had relocated to with his family including his America wife, Anthonia, when his promotional job in Nigeria was done.
In his heyday of promotional activities which spanned MANSER, Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Zero Justice, and Economic Recovery, that featured Majek Fashek, Sunny Okosuns and many other great Nigerian acts of that IBB/… of that era, AIB as we called him for short then lived at Anthony Village and also had his office there almost opposite the Majekodumi group of schools.
His abode/office was the place to be for musicians/entertainment reporters who wanted to be on the right side of info about MAMSER. There were many musicians and artiste managers I met there for the first time in my life as a reporter.
He was instrumental to the first attempt at bringing back Majek, a fellow Edolites, the late musician’s late mum was from the royal house in Benin, from Uncle Sam’s country. He was also there when Majek had issues with Joromi/Mammy Water crooner, Sir Victor Uwaifor, over a failed concert in Ogba Stadium Benin.
With his high tech equipment he produced the 7Up Bottling Company’s show that featured Sap, the America singer of ‘I Got the Power’ fame at the National Theatre Iganmu. Majek also performed at the show and many others I cannot recollect now.
Here are some tributes from Amos Macroy Jeggs of the Jastix, that great reggae band that also had Majek, Black . O. Rice and one other whose name I have forgotten, and Sydney Oputa, the incredible sound engineer still standing after Lak Adeniran and Ossy Denobis.
First that of Amos.
Another Iroko has fallen 💔😭
A great, humble and kind man has left our planet earth to be with the creator 💔😭
Just got the sad news of the passing on to glory of:
Architect Aibangbee Harris Igiehon,
Chairman CEO, Aibtonia Promotions Limited and Aib Harris construction & civil engineering company
Chairman, you came, you saw and left your indelible foot print on the sand of time
You will forever be in our hearts till we meet to part no more 💔
From Sydney
Great 👍 AIB. IGIEHON great architect/promoter great 👍 AIBTONIA sound company the man I.met in 1985, did d great icon Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s burial ceremony in lkene Ogun State, did d Great REGGAE SUNSPLASH concerts at d T.B.S arena Lagos & Ogbe stadium Benin city that brought in reggae Giants all over the world, d great 👍 MAMSA tours in 1989 that went through d entire Country when it was 12 States then that we spent three months on the road none-stop with great Nigerian artists like the great Sunny Okosuns, Majek Fashek, Christy Essien- lgokwe, Dan Maraya of Jos may their gentle souls rest in peace 🙏. & the great Mandators & other artists, the Lekki Beach SUNSPLASH concerts Lagos courtesy Dapo Adelegan great entertainment promoter supported by the great Kunle Onime that brought out the Tickle Me, Tickle Me guru, Alex Zitto & other artistes, Majek Fashek’s & the Mandators’ concerts at the TBS arena Lagos & other great 👍 memories. Great AIB lGIEHON AIBTONIA sound company, sleep well and good night sir.
So long!
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