Entertainment
Showcasing 20 Nigerian Evergreen Songs
Nigerian-born prominent artistes have continued to surprise the world with ever green songs from different generations and most of these songs could be regarded as classics. The importance of music in the development of the society cannot be over-emphasised, hence, 21st of June every year has been set aside as World’s Music Day and Rivers State is not left out in this annual global celebration as this year’s celebration in the state was eventful as over 20 evergreen classics were highlighted to mark the day.
These are songs that have substance in its content, emotionally binding on the listeners with some having that nostalgic effect. There is something in those songs for both the old and new generations. This is probably why the history of the world’s music day celebrations which dates back to 1976 is well received all over the world. The idea was proposed by a French based American theorist, who proposed an all night music festival to celebrate the summer.
Back here in Nigeria, Music is equally loved by all with varying degrees of taste for the different genres of music and based on the era and times of music. Among the songs that are regarded as evergreen in the country include:
Love Me Jeje (1977): Seyi Sodimu
Seyi Sodimu happened to be one of the drivers of the Afrosoul music genre in the early ’90s before the likes of Asa, Waje and Aramide came and took over. Since the millennium era as far back as 1997, he released his hit single, “Love Me Jeje” which went onto being one of Nigerian Love Classics in the ‘90s, gathering generous air play while rising up the charts.
Seyi, who is currently based in Washington DC, USA, is still very much in the music making business. He runs good life entertainment.
Jeromi: Victor Uwaifo
Born in 1941, Sir Victor Uwaifo is a Nigerian Musician, Sculptor and Writer. His hit single, “Jeromi” is a major classic, it is a song that earned Uwaifo his legendary status as he could play a guitar using both his hands, feet and tongue while performing the song, something that was very strange in the 1960s.
The song earned him the first golden record and a formidable international recognition and up to date, it is considered as a major classic that still sounds fresh in every ear.
Seun Rere: Christy Essien-Igbokwe
Christy Essien-Igbokwe was a Nigerian-born Songstress who released a classic Nigerian hit song titled,’Seun Rere’ in 1981, which featured in the album, ‘Ever Like My Person?” Under her international records, Skylark Records. It was a constant hit through the ‘80s and well into the ‘90s.
Before her death at the age of 50, Christy was a fluent speaker of English Language, Igbo, Ibibio and Yoruba and was the first ever female President of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) among national and international awards.
Iyogogo (1992): Onyeka Onwenu
Onyeka Onwenu is a Nigerian Singer, Song Writer, Actress, Journalist and Politician. She began her music career in 1981 while still working with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), releasing the album “For The Love of You”. Originally, a circular artiste, she now sings mainly gospel music and continues to write and sing about issues such as health (HIV/AIDs), peace and mutual coexistence, respect for women rights and the plight of children.
Sweet Mother (1976): Prince Nico Mbaga
Prince Nico Mbaga recorded “Sweet Mother” in 1976 which sold over 13 million copies upon its release and has been globally considered as the African greatest song of all time. “Childish appeal”.
Sweet Mother was later also rejected by Decca Records and Philips Records before it was eventually released in December, 1976 by Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian Recording company based in Onitsha.
6. Afro Juju (1989) Sir Shina Peters
Shina Peters and the international stars band are legends of Nigerian music with over 16 albums, the “Afro Juju Series 1” album is still the most favoured album by most of his fans-up-to date.
He is considered as the creator of “Afro Juju’ music genre and most of the songs in the Afro Juju series 1 album are regarded as classic hits by anyone who has listened to the album.
7. The Way Forward (1994): King Sunny Ade FT Various artistes
In 1994. King Sunny Ade brought 32 Nigerian artistes and actors together and they collectively recorded a song against ethnic violence called “The Way Forward” that became an automatic hit and an up-to-date classic.
The lyrics of the song was delivered in several languages namely: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba as well as several of other Nigerian languages and the message revolved around urging Nigerians to stop fighting against each other and instead celebrate their independence together .
8. Now Or Never (1995) Sunny Okosun
This song rewinds time and brings back memories of the 80s and 90s. Released in 1986, it was one of Okosun’s most famous records. It earned Sonny Okosun an international recognition and every person that remembers him is reminded of this great single despite the time frame.
9. Rosie (1991) Blacky
Very few Nigerian albums stand the test of time one of the few is Blacky’s 1991 debut “About Tyme” on premiere music. The album produced a number of hits like “Blackky Skank” and the sexually charged ‘Sugar Stick’ as well as ‘Rosie’, one of his biggest hits through his music career.
Rosie which featured opening lines that became the toast at many a night club. Many people will not forget in a hurry the songs chorus.
“Can I have a dance Rosie? Which caught on in no time and won many awards.
9. Hear Your Mama Hear Your Papa: Mike Okri
As kids, this song by Mike Okiri was drummed into the ears of every kid, as it was believed to foster obedience, respect and good behaiour in the house hold. Every child who had music enthusiasts as parents will never forget this song.
10. Love My Baby: Wizkid
This ws Wizkid before he went the Caribbean route, before the international collaboration came, the Nigerian super star singer was Mesmeri Zing with this love tune, it is still till date a perfect song for all romantic occasions.
11. Beast of No Nation: Fela Kuti
Beast of No Nation originally released in 1989 was an indictment on the corruption and repression that was ongoing in the post-colonial Africa. The Afrobeat legend expressed his unapologetic views on the situation.
12. Appreciation: King Sunny Ade
Off his “Seven Degrees North” album, Afro Juju King once again put his best foot behind this song “Appreciation” as he gives it all to the Heavens on very rich instrumentals everyone loves and can relate to this and that’s why it’s a classic.
13. Ghetto Dreams: Dagrin
This track evoked emotions not just for Dagrin and producer of the track Sossick who featured on the book, but for the listeners who could blend much with the message on the song.
14. If Love Is A Crime: 2 Face Idibia
This song has just about the same effect as the legend’s ‘African Queen’, powerful emotional and soul penetrating words can’t described it enough.
15. Olufunmi: Style-Plus
Off their critically acclaimed “Expressions” album, styleplus the much loved and admired Nigerian pop group shut down the country with this single. The perfect lines, heavenly vocals and the perfect hook in Olufunmi makes this song an irresistible classic.
Bibanke: Asa
Thrilling and enchanting, Asa bled her soul and heart in this cobhams production. There was no going back on this one.
16. Safe: M.I. Abaga Ft Djinee
Mr incredible with ‘Safe’ came out of nowhere and brought novelty rap that would henceforth shake up the Nigerian Hip Hop music scene. The song amongst other impressive mind blowing tracks off his critically acclaimed debut album, “Talk About It” changed the game for damn good.
17. Gongo Aso: Gice
Indigenous talented singer gice got everyone going bonkers when he dropped this jam.
It was straight up hit that announced the “Alapomeji” to Nigerians and the world in grand fashion just as the song title suggests.
18. No One Like You: P-Square
A befitting wedding theme song, Peter and Paul gave us all couple goods as the saying goes nowadays with this song. No debate whatsoever on this one, the love song caught on too easy with its catchy hook and melodious vibes lace with romantic gestures.
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.