Entertainment
Peace Returns To PMAN, Rivers Chapter
Peace has finally returned
to the performing Musicians Employees Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter as a result of the reconciliation of the two main warring factions of the association by a former chairman of PMAN in the state, Mr. Lexy Mueka, popularly known as Lexy M.
Addressing the press after the reconciliatory meeting held on Wednesday, at No. 2 Bernard Carr Street, Port Harcourt, Lexy M disclosed that the team transformation led by Lady I.B and the restoration team led by Comrade Sample Sirah both agreed to bury the hatchet and work together as a team in the interest of the association which is above individual ambitions.
The Ogoni, Rivers State born front line musician contended that it was the only way the association could redeem its battered image as a result of the leadership tussle and move forward as a body towards the actualization of its lofty goals.
He observed that it was the leadership crisis that rocked the association for sometime now that led to its relegation. According to him, some disgruntled members of the association wanted the crisis to continue so that they could perpetuate themselves in office for their selfish interests.
He expressed happiness that the ugly era was over for good and the association could now move forward and recover its lost glory from both the state government and other interest groups.
He assured that with the present development, the next election of the association would be the sweetest since all true members would be working as one. “It is going to be one PMAN and one election”, he said.
Lexy M debunked the allegation that Alhaji Asari Dokubo had a hand in the crisis that crippled activities in the musicians’ body and described it as malicious falsehood. According to him, Alhaji Dokubo is one of the strongest pillars of the association. He stated that as a patron of the Association Alhaji Dokubo has selflessly financed the association and contributed towards a strong, united, stable and progressive PMAN in Rivers State.
The former chairman described Asari as a builder of PMAN in the state and not a destroyer, therefore no body should rope him into the crisis for what ever personal reasons. He stressed that those members who are against the unity and progress of the association and welfare of its members deliberately absented themselves from the reconciliatory meeting which was well publicized.
Fielding questions the factional leader of the restoration team, Comrade Sample Sireh who attended the meeting with some of his members, said the peaceful resolution of the crisis was a right step in the right direction. He assured that his group was ready to work with the new executive led by Lady I.B as chairman, since there is no more faction in the body, but one united, peaceful and indivisible PMAN in the state.
A former secretary of PMAN in the state and originator of News paper music. Mr Jah Best who also attended the meeting lauded the positive intervention of Lexy M, which he said has restored lasting peace and unity in the association. He maintained that the musicians body can now move in the same direction for the common goal and interest of all members.
The incumbent chairman of PMAN in the state, Lady I.B expressed appreciation to members of the restoration team for their peaceful disposition and recognition of her executive. She assured that her administration would restore the image of the association and take it to a higher level, usher in development so that people would start to accord the musicians the respect and recognition it deserves as well as do good business with members of the association in the state.
She noted that gone were the days when government and other organizations and corporate bodies operating in the state go outside to bring in artistes from other parts of the country and beyond to perform at events, while the indigenous musicians are ignored. The chairman maintained that Rivers money should be for Rivers people and not the other way round.
Lady IB, Chairman PMAN, Rivers State
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.