Entertainment
Lady IB Emerges Rivers PMAN Chairman
The protracted leadership
tussle that polarized the Performing Musicians Employees Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State Chapter seems to have ended peacefully with the emergence of vasertile musician, Ibitoru I .B. Green, popularly known as lady IB as the new chairman of the association in the state.
The Bonny, Rivers State born musician was elected at the general election of the association held on Monday October 7th 2013 in Port Harcourt. By her victory, she becomes the second female chairman of the association after the Ekpeye born Nubian queen Gift, Iyumame Uwame popularly called Muma Gee. Who was the first female chairperson, in the state PMAN.
Speaking with The Tide entertainment after the election, lady IB thanked members of the association for their massive turn out and peaceful conduct during the election which was attended by top members of the association such as Mama Rose, Lexy M. Arthur Pepple Jnr. Peter Stone cold, comedians and other top showbiz personalities within and outside the state. She disclosed that at the election, two factions, namely the reformation team and restoration team were billed to participate in the election which was advertised extensively in both the media and internet. However, on the agreed day of the election only few members of the restoration team turned up. Therefore, the members who attended the election saw it as a step down.
According to her, the present executive is made up of herself as chairman, Moses “Big Mozy” Mabadeje, 1st vice chairman, Karibo ‘K.B’ Longjohn, 2nd vice chairman, Allaiye ‘Daddy O’Bobmanuel, publicity secretary, Ezekiel “Ice.T.” Benibo, treasurer and Eke ‘Peples’ Emmanuel Mark provost. Others are Isong ‘Senator’ Sunday, welfare I and Valentine ‘Val’ Amaso welfare 2.
The chairman contended that the new administration is poised to rebrand the association and take it to higher level, to this end she said several programmes have been earmarked to be embarked upon before the end of their one year tenure. They include:- organizing PMAN award night, legends night, partnership with various sectors of the state economy, support the less privileged in the society including families of their departed colleagues as well as promote the welfare of its members and to ensure lasting peace in the association amongst others.
She noted that the special award nights have become necessary because in the past 5 years no such events were held in memory of the departed icons of the music industry in the state such as the late Prince David Bull of the professional seagulls dance band of Port Harcourt, Jack West Omodu of the Garden City Band of Port Harcourt. Cardinal Jim Rex Lawson and Living legend, King Sunny Brown among others.
Commenting on the election a popular musician in the state and former chairman of PMAN Rivers State chapter Mr Lexy Mueka, popularly known as Lexy M stated that Monday October 7, 2013 marked another milestone in the annals of the association in the state as it witnessed the peaceful election and swearing in ceremony of the new executives after a protracted battle of supremacy in the musician body. He described the election as all embracing, peaceful, credible and constitutional.
He stressed that although there were attempts to impose a leader on the association by a factional leadership at the national level, members of the association in the state resisted the move and today we have a new executive of our choice who are duly elected by the members. According to him, the new executives have been tested in the past and accepted for their vision and selfless service to the association.
Lexy M noted that with the new exco the association will no be focus to carry out its constitutional duties in the interest of all. He therefore, called on serious minded members of the association to come back to the fold so as to speak with one voice again instead of pursuing individual self-fish interests to the detriment of the rest members. According to him no individual interest will supersede the collective will and purpose of majority of the members.
Entertainment
My Relationship With Davido Beyond Money, Gossip -Cubana Chief Priest
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Entertainment
Simi Joins Kenya’s Anti-Tax Protests
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Entertainment
Davido, Zlatan, Others In Attendance At Asake’s Atlanta Concert
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’