Entertainment
Esther Johnson Emerges Face Of Wakirike
Entertainment like culture is a vital tool that unites a people, this was the case when the Legacy Global Concept, organisers of the Face of Wakirike put together a beauty peagent which began at Henrose Hotel, Orupabo Ama, Okrika Local Government Area recently.
Speaking on the effort made to organize this beauty peagent competition, Mr Godknows and Miss Glory Mark whilst on a thank you visit to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom at Okochiri and Aman-yanabo of Fimie Kingdom, King Bernard Ibiateli Fimie in Fimie -Ama on the 1st of January, 2021 disclosed that this beauty competition was proudly sponsored by these royal fathers in Wakirike Clan without which the organizers would not have succeeded.
According to them, other sponsors of the beauty peagent were Amanyanabo of Ogu Kingdom, King Nicholas Ibiebele Nimenibo and Comrade Tamuno-omie Daye (Aka) Otalo.
They said the Face of Wakirike Beauty Peagent started with a rally at Okrika on December 18 and the camping began on the 20th and ended on the 27th of December, 2020, which was the grand finale.
The director further revealed that 30 contestants took part in the audition from where 26 were selected and finally 16th contestants qualified for camping of whom 8 queens were crowned.
Miss Glory Mark (alias) Bosslady praised the queen of Okochiri , Darling Dango of Okochiri Kingdom, who partnered with the organ-isation to make Face of Wakirike a huge success being her pet project.
She said that the event witnessed the final selection of the Face of Wakirike at the Local Government Multi-Purpose Hall, Okrika. The Winner of Face of Wakirike is Miss Esther Johnson, the 1st Runner up is Miss Lolia Ibinabo Fimie, Face of Wakirike Ambassador and the 2nd runner up is Miss Adumo Smart Margaret as Face of Wakirike Tourism.
The Queens were advised to maintain very high moral standard in their actions and reactions in the society and be studious in their academic pursuit even as the organizers encouraged them on their various pet projects.
Earlier, the sponsors of the Face of Wakirike Tagged “Empowerment Edition”, royal fathers of Wakirike clan had collectively agreed that the sole aim of this year’s edition is to foster unity, love, understanding and peace among the people of Wakirike Clan.
In another development, the Legacy Global Concept and the beauty peagents during their courtesy visit to the King of Fimie Kingdom in his palace at Fimie Ama were received by women of the kingdom who rendered songs to the glory of God, chiefs, elders and opinion leaders and the Chairman, Amadi-Ama Community Elder Steve Fimibuma withnessed the epoch making ceremony.
In his speech, Chief Solomon, Iringe-Koko of Amadi Kingdom Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, on behalf of Amanyanabo of Amadi Kingdom, Sir Bright Josiah Koko thanked the royal fathers and the organizers of this beauty peagent for their foresight to unit and maintain the peace in the land of Wakirike, and prayed for the sustenance of the event.
He then advised the queens, who are students of various higher institutions, to take their academic work seriously.
By: Okwein George Parker
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.”