Entertainment
Christy Essien-Igbokwe’s Death, Big Loss – Artistes
Nigeria’s “Lady of Songs”, Chief (Mrs) Christy Essien-Igbokwe, who died on Thursday has been described as an accomplished entertainer who would be sadly missed in the industry.
The Weekend Tide reliably learnt that Essien-Igbokwe passed on at the age of 51 at a Lagos hospital.
She was the first female President of Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and played “Apena” in the popular sitcom comedy— “The Masquerade”.
The PMAN President, Dele Abiodun who was among the early callers at the residence of the late Essien-Igbokwe in Ikeja yesterday, said that she would be greatly missed in the entertainment industry.
“It is a pity that the industry has lost another big artiste like her. She has a passion for the industry and helped in building and sustaining it”.
Abiodun described the late Essien-Igbokwe as a good ambassador of Nigeria because her music went beyond the shores of this country.
“We adore her, her openness, uprightness and she was a good listener to anyone’s complaints.
“She was someone you could rely on for anything and she used to give good advice and did not believe in cutting corners”, he said.’‘
Abiodun said that since death was inevitable, people who have the zeal for the entertainment industry should do whatever they could to make their names indelible as Essien-Igbokwe has done”, he added.
A former PMAN President, Bollaji Rosiji also said that the deceased uplifted the role of women in the industry and was a good leader.
“She carried others along with her during her reign in various capacities in the entertainment industry,” Rosiji said, noting that she set enviable standards in everything she did in her short life time.
He described Essien-Igbokwe as an evergreen artist who sang with a good voice and used the medium “to promote our values, culture and womanhood to people both at home and abroad”.
A musician, Stella Monye described the late Essien-Igbokwe as the best PMAN president the music industry ever had.
“She was full of compassion for the music industry when she was the president and carried us along everywhere she went so as to make the industry work.
“She was very transparent in her doings and dealings and as a good mother and wife, she was friendly and accommodating,” she said.
Monsgr. Gabriel Osu, Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said that most of the late Essien-Igbokwe’s songs made meaning to the culture and values of the country.
“We need people like her in the industry to give us that kind of music to reshape our values and culture,” he said.
Osu said that her advice to children in her hit tracks – “omo mi seun rere” or “my child behave well”— and “nzu ko” in which she pleaded for peace to reign in Igboland, would not be forgotten for many generations.
“It is how well one lived that is important, not how long,” Osu said, adding that, “she lived an exemplary life for others to emulate”.
Essien-Igbokwe’s son, Kaka, who spoke on behalf of the family, noted that they would always cherish the good memories of their matriarch.
“She led a scandal-free life and because of that, I am so proud of her,” Kaka told The Weekend Tide of her mother.
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.’