Entertainment
How Rivers Celebrated Yuletide Of Peace, Fanfare
The yuletide season ev
ery year is usually agog with festivities such as carnivals, beach parties, cultural shows and celebrations as well as weddings, anniversaries, family reunion, funfair, pomp and pageantry as Christians all over the world celebrate the 25th of December as the birth of Jesus Christ. This celebration continue till January first of every year which is celebrated as the new year day.
Despite the present economic recession in Nigeria, Port Harcourt, the capital city of the oil rich Rivers State celebrated this year’s Christmas and New Year with praise-worship and funfare as well as the various communities in the state. The Rivers State Christmas carol tagged “Hossana 2016”hosted by the state governor Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Saturday December 17th 2016 at the Yakubu Gown Stadium, Port Harcourt ushered in the Christmas and new year celebrations of peace.
About 17,000 Rivers people and residents turned for the event. It was a celebration of God’s grace and blessings to the state in the passing year. The Christmas carol also provided a united platform for the high and low to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and pray for a more prosperous new year.
The spiritual event showcased mass choir ministration, popular solo artistes performances and rendition of Christmas carols by all present including the state governor and his wife, former governor of Akwa-Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, government functionaries and other distinguished guests in attendance.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who preached the sermon at the event handed the state to God and preached for peace, unity and forgiveness in the state.
Other events that took place during the yuletide celebration are the popular Port Harcourt street parties which have become a culture in the city’s social calendar. The events bring together fun lovers from all parts of the city and beyond who partied all night and other side attractions that made the night memorable.
Apart from the street parties, other activities that rocked the state are the beach parties which provided opportunities for the youths and the young at heart to watch their popular music idols perform live onstage as they dance along with them. Popular Nollywood stars are usually not left out of the fun. Some of the popular beach parties that took place curing the yuletide celebration include the popular Buguma beach carnival in Akuku-Toru Local Government , the Ogba-kiri beach party in Emohua Local Government among others.
Also in the list of celebrations which took place this yuletide were the Nwaotam which holds every December 25th in Opobo, Bonny, Port Harcourt City and other areas, the Agaba masquerade and cultural dances. Other areas of interest where fun seekers went to catch full blown fun were the tourist beach, Arnusenet centres, cinema houses, restaurants, eateries, popular hotels and night clubs as well as other hangouts.
In an interview with The Tide entertainment, a showbiz personality in the state, Prince Victor Minima said, most people in the state had fun this yuletide despite the economic recession. This was made possible by the magnanimity and kind heart of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who paid December salaries to all civil servants and pensioners in the state plus the relative peace and security which created a conducive environment.
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.
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.”
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.’