Entertainment
Comedy Dominates Social Events In PH …As Akas Baba Rates PH Higher Than Lagos
Port Harcourt based Radio
presenter and top class stand up comedian, Diplomatic Akas Baba of 94.1 Wazobia FM Port Harcourt, has rated comedians based in The Garden City better than their colleagues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria in terms of raw talent, creativity and stage performance.
The popular rib cracker who stated this at the ‘Man Must Laugh’ Comedy show organised by another ace comedian Emmanuel Ubi AKA Rugged Pastor and Friends at the official opening of R. Lounge and Karoke bar of Read Hotels and Towers Rukpokwu last Sunday noted that Port Harcourt residents like comedy and also appreciate the efforts of the comedians that is why comedy dominates most social events in the state.
He however, observed that one of the greatest challenges facing the comedians in the state is poor performance fees compared to what their colleagues in Lagos receive even though the Port Harcourt comedians perform better than they do in Lagos.
He said this attitude must change because it is not easy to crack jokes that will make people laugh, it requires talent and creativity, so comedians need to be rewarded adequately.
Akas Baba who started comedy in 1997 has performed in great comedy events across the country alongside great personalities in the humour trade such as I go die, I go save, Candoki, Sunny Baba, Arinze Baba, Basket Mouth Etc. He stressed that comedy is a talent, not a choice, but most unemployed young men now do comedy even when it is obvious that they do not have the talent and what it takes to be a comedian. He said the only motivating factor for them is to make money.
He however, contended that with the ongoing creativity and rebranding in the industry, it is quite certain that the future will be better than what is existing in the industry today, because by then the core professionals will be separated from the quacks and their will be standard and respect in the industry.
Another Radio Presenter and Comedian Mr. Akpos of Waziobia FM Port Harcourt who also performed at the event, said comedy business is growing in Port Harcourt because people have realized that they have the right to laugh and enjoy themselves despite the harsh economic conditions. According to him, comedy. Made him what he is today, it has given him popularity and the opportunity to meet and interact with top personalities across the country.
The organizer of the event Rugged Pastor expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Read Hotels and Towers for given him the opportunity to showcase his talent and his colleagues for their support which made the event a huge success as well as the media for their wide coverage of the event. He said the event will be a regular feature in the hotel every weekend.
Spotify yesterday revealed a significant surge in heartbreak song streams in Nigeria during the Valentine’s Day season, with a 626 percent increase between 2022 and 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos, Nigeria by Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa Phiona Okumu.
Okumu said, “Spotify data reveals a surprising trend, a massive surge in heartbreak song streams.
“Nigerians are turning to their playlists to express their emotions, with a staggering 626 per cent overall growth in heartbreak streams from 2022 to 2024.
“This Valentine, the sound of love is accompanied by the sound of heartbreak, and the data shows it’s louder than ever before.”
She said on Valentine’s Day, most surprisingly, male listeners streamed heartbreak songs at a significantly higher rate than female listeners, with a 362 per cent increase compared to 169 per cent among women.
“This could suggest that men resonate with the feeling of heartbreak more and turn to music as a private outlet for processing emotions.
“Whatever the reason, one thing is clear, when love is in the air, so is heartbreak and Nigerian men are pressing play on their pain more than expected.
“While Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with grand gestures, heartbreak is a common theme on Valentine’s Day -more than what’s publicly shown,” she said.
Nigerians will join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2025 Valentine’s today.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has joined MLS side San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner.
SDFC announced today that Tems joined the ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe.
In the process, Tems became the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership.
“We are delighted that Tems has joined San Diego FC as a club partner,” SDFC chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said in a statement.
“Tems is a globally significant artist who will help us reach new audiences and spread the word about our unique project, which, of course, has its foundations in sub-Saharan Africa through the unique Right to Dream organisation.”
Reacting to her addition as the latest partner in SDFC’s ownership group, the singer said: “I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community.
“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Fashion and beauty entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani, has claimed she is enduring back pain and that her spine is degenerating.
Lawani revealed this in a video posted on social media last Tuesday.
In the clip, she opened up about her experience with epidural anesthesia, an injection administered to pregnant women in the spine to reduce pain during childbirth.
The mother of three claimed that since receiving the injection, she has not felt like herself.
She accused doctors of not fully informing women about the long-term side effects of epidurals.
According to Lawani, she received the anesthetic injection during the birth of her last two children.
She said, “When you hear ‘epidural,’ run. Doctors tell you about the side effects but do not tell you about the long-term effects on your body. I have about three friends having the same issues that I am having.
“Like, I am just 42, how did I end up with spine issues? I have a degenerating spine. I have implants in my spine. I go paralyzed. I can’t stand for a long time. I can’t even breathe properly sometimes because it affected so many things in my body when I had the surgery.
“They will not tell you because you just want the pain to go away. I have had two epidurals. I had my first as natural birth. The last two were epidural. The last one I had epidural because I had to undergo a surgery and I had no choice.
“See, the pain does not stop. My back is killing me and my spine is degenerating.”
