Nigeria: COSON honours late Afro-funk doyen Chris Mba

Mba earned widespread praise in the ‘80s and ‘90s for incorporating traditional instruments into his version of pop. He shot to fame with songs like ‘Money’, ‘Baby Don’t Cry’, ‘Making My Way’ and ‘Funky Situation’. 

The event united industry stakeholders, family and fans of the singer, who reportedly passed away due to heart issues at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

At the ceremony, where Mba was honoured with a posthumous plaque recognising his illustrious career and contributions to the industry, COSON chairman Tony Okoroji said: “Great musicians don’t die. We’ll continue to hear his voice in all his music. We are using this opportunity to tell his family that Chris is a great man and we’ll never forget him or forget them.”

“Chris Mba didn’t die but lives on as he will be fondly remembered with the great songs he recorded,” Nigerian musician King Wadada said. 

“He left his footprints in the sands of time. His death is a significant loss to the music industry,” added Nigerian drummer Richard Cole.

Widow of the musician, Ada Mba, described her late husband as a kind man who “sacrifices for people. “He’d fight the world for the people he loves. He is a great man, a great husband and father,” she said.

Michael Odiong, who heads Premier Records, to which Mba was signed, noted: “People wonder why a young person like me has a passion for old and veteran artists. I have always been in the music industry and my focus is to make sure legacies like this don’t go away. People say Nigerian icons aren’t recognised like their international colleagues and this has to change. Chris Mba is a legend and he will forever live in our hearts.”