Chris Mba: Gov. Otti pledges support to family as COSON hosts Night of Tributes for late music star

By Mateen Badru
Lagos, Aug. 19, 2023

Governor of Abia, Dr Alex Otti, has pledged support to the family of Chris Mba, the music star who passed on at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on May 3.

A statement signed by the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) on Saturday said that the pledge of the governor was conveyed via a video message at the Red Carpet Tribute Night in honour of the late musician.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribute held at the COSON House in Ikeja, Lagos on Friday.

According to the statement, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment, Martins Okechukwu, popularly known as J. Martins, in the video described  Mba as an illustrious son of Abia, and an icon in the music industry.

Present at the tribute night were prominent members of the music industry, friends and family members of the departed artiste such as Mr. Collins Enebeli, father of hitmaker, Don Jazzy and Mike Odiong, CEO of Premier Records, Nigeria’s frontline recording company on whose label, Chris Mba released much of his memorable songs.

Others are Alex ‘O’, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated pop singers of a generation; Cordelia Okpei, retired GM of FRCN’s flagship station, Metro FM; Reggae Toaster Extra-Ordinaire, King Wadada; eminent broadcaster, Godwin Asuquo and celebrated airline captain, Emma Anyanwu, who himself is a famed guitarist.

“Members of the COSON Board including renowned gospel music minister, Kenny Saint Best (KSB); famed music maker, Righteousman Erhabour; master of impressions, Koffi Da Guru, celebrated drummer, Richard Cole; gospel minister, Evangelist Olusegun Omoyayi, President of Music Producers & Marketing Association of Nigeria (MUPMAN), among others were also present.

At the event, a minute’s silence was observed in honour of four frontline musicians who passed on in recent times.

Chairman of COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, who coordinated the event, thanked all the people who contributed to making the tribute night in honour of Chris Mba, an unforgettable event.