Entertainment
… As PH Traders Count Losses
As the harmattan season persists, traders in Port Harcourt are counting their numerous losses due to the dry weather.
Some of the traders particularly those who deal on fruits and vegetables told our correspondent that they had lost huge sums of money as they kept throwing away some of their goods damaged by the harsh harmattan weather.
Mrs Nwamaka Iwuchukwu, a fruit seller along Rumuogba Housing Estate Road said, “this harmattan has dealt with us. It dries the fruits especially the oranges. It makes Paw Paw look as if hot water was poured on it. This makes my customers to complain that they are not fresh fruits where as they are”.
This, she said resulted in low patronage and constant disposal of the unsold, perished items.
Mrs Florence Nwona, another trader at Fruit Garden, Kaduna Street, said she had lost thousands of Naira due to the dry weather as her fruits and vegetables dry and stink easily, making them unattractive to buyers. “there is no day I don’t take home reasonable quantity of the rejected fruits for my children and neighbours to consume.
This is minus the ones I throw away every day. It is my capital that is depreciating like that”, she said.
Another trader, Musa Ibrahim at Slaughter Market, shared the same unpleasant experience with Nwamaka and Florence but added that he usually makes up from the sale of other items like tomatoes, pepper and onions which the dry weather helps to preserve.
Meanwhile, traders in markets in Kaduna State have blamed the prevailing harmattan haze for the low patronage of their businesses.
A survey conducted by our reporter at various markets in the state capital showed that the usual high demand for goods and services in the markets had dropped drastically.
Malam Musa Adamu, a trader at Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Market, said: “The low patronage is due to the cold.
“People prefer to purchase from petty markets in the neighbourhoods rather than coming to a central business area for their needs”.
Mrs Hannatu Musa, another trader, blamed the slow pace in business activities to the refusal of traders to open their shops early enough due to the chilly weather.
“Although every trader wants to make profit, the cold has forced some of us to stay longer at home before we open our shops”, she said.
Calista Ezeaku
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.’