Entertainment
C’River Set To Host MBGN, Miss Africa Pageants
The Cross River State
Government and Silver Bird Group, have signed a four-year management contract for the hosting of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), at the prestigious five thousand seat capacity Calabar Int’l Convention Centre (CICC).
According to the agreement, Calabar will play host to both the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and the maiden edition of Miss Africa Beauty Pageant owned by the Cross River State Government.
Miss Africa Beauty Pageant, which will be managed by Silver Bird Group; and MBGN will be hosted at CICC in October and December this year respectively.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony at the CICC, Calabar, the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade, maintained that “Silver Bird has the capacity and expertise to manage the centre as well as organise the pageants because they are the nation’s number one in the entertainment industry.”
According to the governor, “It is a four-year contract subject to renewal, but I know they have all it takes to manage the edifice as well as organise the pageants.”
He maintained that by this vista of opportunities, “Calabar has taken its place as the destination for tourism and entertainment.”
A visibly elated Ayade stressed, “with the hosting of the two pageants show in October and December respectively, Cross Riverians and indeed Nigerians should key into it and make the best use of it because they will attract the whole world to the state.”
Earlier, the Group Vice President, Silver Bird Group, Mr. Guy Murray-Bruce, who was overwhelmed by the architectural masterpiece, described the CICC as “the best of its kind in Africa,” adding that, “this is second to none. This is terrific.”
Murray-Bruce said the pageants would enable the state showcase its enormous tourism potentials to the whole world with the view to attracting tourists for economic gains.
He observed that though work is still in progress on site, the facility will be ready for MBGN in october as assured by the contractors who were busy putting finishing touches on the massive convention centre.
Friday Nwagbara,
Calabar
Entertainment
My Relationship With Davido Beyond Money, Gossip -Cubana Chief Priest
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.
Entertainment
Simi Joins Kenya’s Anti-Tax Protests
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.”
Entertainment
Davido, Zlatan, Others In Attendance At Asake’s Atlanta Concert
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.’