Entertainment
Ex-PMAN Boss Lauds Wike Over Yibo Koko’s Appointment
Former chairman of the Performing Musician Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Robin Maja ‘De Fama’ has lauded the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on his appointment of Yibo Koko as the Director General of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Port Harcourt.
The ex-PMAN boss who made the commendation in an interview with The Tide Entertainment recently, noted that the appointment of Yibo Koko would usher in a vibrant tourism sector that would improve the economy of the state . he said “the appointment is well deserved and a round peg in a round hole”.
“As an erudite entertainer, film actor and producer who has over the years involved in creating an entertainment galore in the state, especially during festive periods like Christmas and new year as well as Easter celebrations, the new DG will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the entertainment landscape across the state and nation at large,” he stated.
The popular musician reiterated that Yibo Koko’s drive on a popular dance called ‘Seki’ which exposes the rich cultural heritage of the Rivers people would be harnessed and showcased alongside other cultural activities in the hinterlands of the state.
He explained that within the period under review, there had not been any cultural carnival orgnaised in the state, and expressed hope that with the coming of a new DG of the state tourism agency there would be the rejuvenation of the tourism and entertainment sectors through high tech cultural carnival and explosions in the nearest future.
The ‘Papa God’ singer and ‘Robin Maja come again’ crooner of the 1996 fame, and University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) graduate of Political Science and Administration regretted that some of the laudable projects and programmes he introduced during his tenure had been abandoned.
He said “projects like” trigger to gulter”, a multi billion naira project that was supported by the grand patron of PMAN in the state and Amayanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, HRH, King Ateke Tom had been abandoned”.
He also disclosed that the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere selected 18 musicians from the state to be trained under the programme, but the programme was now in the Limbo.
The highlife music maestro maintained that the annual world music day celebration held by the Association every June as a platform to showcase upcoming artistes on stage with notable veterans of the industry had also suffered the same fate.
Jacob Obinna
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.”