Comedian Tee A, singer Darey Art-Alade and members of the Shuga Band joined friends and family of live-band icon Akinloye Tofowomo, popularly known as Akiin Shuga, for a night of tribute and songs held in his honour on Tuesday in Lagos.
Akiin Shuga died on October 30, in Canada at the age of 50.
The event, which took place at Five Palms Event Center, Oniru, Lekki, brought together colleagues, fans and industry figures who described him as a beloved husband, father, brother and mentor who transformed Nigeria’s live-band scene.
Tee A, who had a close relationship with the late singer, recalled their last moments together.
“Akin and I… the irony of life was that his last performance was in this hall, right there. And it was a fun-filled event. We stayed and gisted as usual, and I knew that he had to travel. And life has happened,” he said.
He added, “If you are thinking of selfless, kind, reliable, dependable, only one name in that industry can come to your mind — Akin Shuka, Akinloye. And my charge to everyone is this. What will people say about you when you are gone?”
The Association of Music Band Owners of Nigeria (AMBON) also paid tribute, describing him as a man who “left an indelible mark in the live band music industry” and “lived in service to humanity”.
Shuga Band members delivered an emotional message to their late leader.
“Akiin Shuga was more than a boss. He was a builder of people, a visionary, a brother, and a leader, whose life continues to echo through every note we play,” they said.
A separate night of tribute and service of songs was earlier held on November 23 in Ibadan.
Akiin Shuga, founder of Shuga Band and a polio survivor, was widely celebrated for modernising live-band music and mentoring scores of young performers across Nigeria.
