Entertainment
Coordinator Hails Wike On Culture, Tourism Promotion
The South-South Zonal Coordinator for Abuja Carnival 2016, Mr. Victor Thomas, has applauded the Rivers State Governor, his Excellency Chief Nyesom Wike, for his strong support to the promotion of culture and tourism in the state.
He gave the commendation on Friday while delivering a press statement on the Abuja Carnival 2016 at the Rivers State ministry of Culture and Tourism.
He calls on the Governor to once again demonstrate his love and commitment to the development of art and culture by mobilizing Rivers State Contingent to the flag-off of the state in the Carnival.
He recounted, that the South-South States have always been in the frontline of excellent performance over the years in the carnival and that Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States stood out in the last edition with several awards.
He therefore appeals to Government and Stakeholders in culture and tourism sector, cooperate organizations, professional groups and well-meaning individuals to support the zone in ensuring effective participation at the event slated for 19th through 22nd of November in Abuja.
According to him, the 2016 edition of the carnival has the theme “The Creative Industries: Pivote to Economic growth” and that it aims at celebrating Nigeria as an hospitable country and united in diversity.
According to him, the event which started in 2005 has remained a significant tool for harnessing the numerous heritage and diversity of the nation.
He said the carnival which has recorded more than 40,000 participants, 35 million local spectators and over five million tourists, is engineered by the Nigerian Creative Spirit, hospitality and passion for festivity.
He adds that the innovation which would characterise this year’s edition of the event is the inclusion of six national slaote, representing the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Present at the briefing was the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and tourism, Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide represented by the Director of Culture, Mr. Fredy Ndigbara, who thanked the National Organising Committee for the Abuja Carnival 2016 for finding it worthy for Rivers State to be the host of the 2016 edition of the Zonal Secretariat for the Carnival.
He assured that the Ministry in its own little way would do its bit to ensure effective hosting.
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.”