Entertainment
Attract Tourists To The Country, Amachree Tells Diaspora Nigerians
Tourism magnate and President of the Centre for Promotion of Peace, Tourism, Arts and Culture (CEPTAC), Chief (Dr) Mike Amachree has urged Nigerians in diaspora to attract more tourists to the country to boost the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
Amachree who made the call at a one-day parley between tourism stakeholders and Nigerians in the diaspora held at the Brookyn Tourists Centre, Rumuosi, Port Harcourt, re-iterated that the parley had become imperative in view of the negative economic situation facing the country.
The tourism mogul said there was need for deliberate investment in the tourism industry to create jobs that would engage the teeming youths meaningfully.
Amachree lauded the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike for his pragmatic approach in solving tourism challenges in the state by establishing the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park and the massive construction of roads. He requested the state government to do more especially in the rural areas by creating the enabling environment and providing support to the private sector to invest massively in the tourism business. “Gone are the days we should depend on oil only. The Federal Government should relax the entry requirement so as to allow foreign tourists to enter into the country”, he said.
Chairman of the parley and former Commissioner for Lands and Housing in the old Rivers State, Prof Kimse Okoko said the tourism business in Nigeria had earned Chief Amachree recognition as, “Father of Tourism”. Okoko, ex-President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) stated that tourism in the country had been confronted with many challenges, saying it was an area for the diversification of the country’s economy, adding that total dependence on oil has had a detrimental effect on the development of the country.
He also solicited the support of multi-nationals and public-spirited individuals to heartily invest in tourism development, noting that leaving the government alone would not make tourism thrive in the country.
Also speaking, the Royal Father of the day and Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, Professor T.J.T. Princewill represented by Chief Inimi Atiegoba said the tourism sub-sector had become the main stay of economic development for many countries of the world, adding that Nigeria could not afford to be an exception.
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.’