Felix Duke Pays Glowing Tribute To Late Founder Of Aibtonia Music Promotion

As preparations gear up for the tribute show organised by friends to honour late Harris Aibangbee Igiehon,(Aibtonia) in Lagos, at the Freedom Park, more artistes have continued to reminisce on their relationship with one of the biggest music promoters the country has produced and the impact he had in their music career.

One of them is ace musician and President of Creative Industry Group, CIG, Ambassador Felix Duke. He recounted with nostalgia how Aibtonia as he is simply known, built his music career from the early 90’s when he came to Lagos and started in the industry as a drummer/percussionist.

Duke recalled that through his Aibtonia promotions, his music promotion company, he lifted the music career of a lot of music artists like: Majek Fashek, Sir Shina Peters, Bright Chimezie, Daniel Wilson, Sonny Okosun, Onyeka Onwenu, Alex Zitto ,Ras Kimono and Amos Mcroy Jegg among many others.

His words, “I will miss him greatly. He was instrumental to my success in music. He encouraged me to set up my own music label FD Records ( Entertainment) when I released my first Album ‘Walare’.

“He didn’t stop there, he took me on several tours and I played in the All Nigerian Food and Beverage Festivals, which was his brain child, including other shows he organised.

In 1998, he brought Majek Fashek back to Nigeria from the USA. He did so much to build the music career of the late Majek Fashek and also took I, Felix Duke, and my band along side Majek Fashek. I used to open all the shows in seven states we went to before Majek will come on stage because he loved him so much. He also transferred that same love to me.”

Duke recounted that Aib organized several nationwide or regional musical tours in conjunction with several multi-national companies such as: Nigerian Breweries Plc, Golden Guinea Breweries, Sona Breweries, Cadbury, PZ, Lever Brothers and a host of others.

Besides all these, Aib was a father to all in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

His company was credited to have produced the Mass Mobilization for Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) programme, during the regime of former Head of State Gen Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd)

The MAMSER campaign was a federal initiative which toured 110 cities nationwide from 1987-1990.

The Lagos tribute concert will hold at Freedom Park on February 2, 2025.
The artistes expected to perform at the event include veterans like Orits Williki, Felix Duke, Steve Black, Righteousman, Past Amos Mcroy, Jegg Buchi and Stella Monye. Others are Black O Rice , Charlimo and SKO, among others.