Entertainment
How Carnivals, Street Parties Dominated Last Yuletide In Rivers
The entertainment industry witnessed an unprecedented boost in Rivers State last Yuletide as activities in the various aspects of the industry such as music, dance tourism and the hospitality outlets were at their peak. The season witnessed carnivals, beach and street parties, cultural displays beauty pageants and what have you?, while traders, operators of hospitality outlets and show biz personalities smiled to the banks.
The Rivers State Cultural Festival tagged CARNIRIV 2012 which coincided with the centenary celebration of Port Harcourt City opened the flood gate of activities that showcased the cultural heritage of the Rivers people and attracted both local and international personalities, tourists and big time investors who stormed the state to participate in the historic events.
Some of the events that brought the state to world recognition include the international aquatic fiesta and boat regatta that showcased the aquatic prowess of the state to the delight of the local and foreign spectators, cultural exhibitions, international heritage and Garden city free style heritage parades and Ekere Rhythm of the tribes that highlighted the rich and enviable cultural heritage of the Rivers people through music and dance.
Other events were dance of fireflies, highlife/old school Jams, Black African Music fiesta (BAMFEST) and Reggae 360. These events were dominated by music of various genres and featured seasoned local and international artistes such as Shaggy, Jamaican born Morgan Heritage, Raggae Idol, Ras Kimono, Oritz Whilliki as well as 2 Face, Tymaya, Port Harcourt first son, Duncan mighty, Peter Stone Cold, African China, Muma Gee and King Sunny Brown amongst others.
Within this period, the state also played host to Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant. These events were closely followed by beach parties in most of the local government areas of the state including Bonny, Buguma, Opopo, Ogu/Bolo Etc as well as street parties in almost all the major streets in Port Harcourt, while the villages were not left out in the celebrations.
In a chat with The Tide entertainment, a Port Harcourt based show biz personality and one of the organizers of most of the street parties in Port Harcourt, Prince Nicholas Duke noted that last year’s celebrations were exceptional in terms of fun, security and entertainment generally. According to him, last year’s carnivals and street parties were well organised hence there were no casualties or public disturbances like in previous ones.
Duke thanked the state government for the security arrangement and reiterated that the security personnel lived up to expectation. He said they should be encouraged because without adequate security, subsequent events may not succeed. He also advised that similar events should also be encouraged as they bring about love, unity and friendship amongst the people and serve as antidote to cultism and other social vices among the youths.
The Chief Executive of Dukesons Ventures said he was optimistic that 2013 would be better as people have embraced the new development and look forward to them. He said the awareness was encouraging and it would serve as a boost to the entertainment and tourism sectors of the state as well as generate more revenue for the state.
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.’