Entertainment
Amachree Canvasses Aquatic Tourism Dev In Rivers
The Father of Tourism in Nigeria and President of Center for Promotion of Peace Tourism Arts and Culture in Nigeria (CEPTAC) Chief Mike Amachree has urged the promotion of Aquatic Tourism in Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement made available to news men in Port Harcourt.
Amachree said the development of aquatic tourism will boost the economy of Rivers State as well as create employment opportunities for the masses.
According to him the idea was based on the knowledge and exposure he acquired while on a fact finding visits to some famous aquatic tourism destinations in the world such as, Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbour in Honolulu, Hawaii, Miami Beach and Orlando Park in Florida, New York Aquarium, all in the United State of America (U.S.A), Cancun and Acapulco Beaches in Mexico, Alexandria Beach in Egypt and Banjul Beach in Gambia, West Africa.
According to the tourism mogul, Lagos Bar Beach, recorded more tourists than any other site in Nigeria between the late 80’s and early 90’s because of its aquatic Tourism Potentials.
Amachree who regretted that both the Lagos Bar Beach and Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State had gone extinct, however, he got informed that the Kebbi State Government is in the process of reviving the Argungu Fishing Festival.
The Elder Statesman enumerated frantic efforts made by him to revive aquatic tourism in Rivers State to include; the establishment of the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach in 1990, adding that the beach was planned to have provision for fishing festivals, boat regatta Festivals,boat cruise, swimming and diving competitions and other aquatic entertainments.
According to him the beach was commissioned for business in three phases, first, by the then military Governor-Group Capt. Ernest Adeleye, just one year after land was allocated, the second phase was by Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs)Ipalibo Harry Banigo one time Secretary to the State Government, now Deputy Governor, under Governor Wike Administration, while the third phase was commissioned by Late Major Gen. Patrick Aziza one time Minister for trade, and some other dignitaries in attendance among whom were, the then Minister of Commerce and Tourism Chief Senas Ukpanah, Alabo Tonye Graham Douglas also a serving Minister, Late Professor Tam David West – former petroleum minister, Late MKO Abiola represented by his Editor-in-Chief of Concord Newspapers, Engr. Tele Ikuru – Former Deputy Governor of Rivers State and King Edward Inatimi.
Also in attendance were Chief Ebenezer Isokariari, then Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of land and Housing, the Oba of Ikeja, Oba Momodu Illo, and his Ikeja Council of Chiefs a close associate of Chief Amachree amongst others.
The award winning tourism expert who is a proud awardee of the Justice of the Peace (JP) and the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS) awards, commended the first military Governor of Old Rivers State, Lt. Commander Alfred Papamieye Diete-Spiff (now His Majesty, king Alfred Diete Spiff Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass) and the current Governor of the State Chief Nyesom Wike for their contributions to the promotion of aquatic tourism in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Chief Amachree also commended the present Governor Wike for constructing a beautiful road to the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach to enhance accessibility to the foremost aquatic tourism facility in the state.
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.”