Entertainment
Ogba Kingdom In Festive Mood …As Umu Akoku Proclaims Yam Festival
The Egi Kingdom and by
extension the entire Ogbaland in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State is now in a festive mood following the proclamation of the 2015 Egwu Ogba Festival.
In line with the tradition of the people, the proclamation was performed by a member of Umu Akoku family Aburu community Erema, Elder Felix Obulor.
The festival was fixed for 17th August 2015, prior to the proclamation, Elder Felix Obulor told The Tide that the festival is as old as Egi and the entire ogbaland.
He said that the festival was introduced by ancient people to celebrate the harvest of new yams in the entire ogbaland.
Elder Obulor said that the Umu Akoku family was charged with the responsibility of proclaiming the festival being the most senior family in Egiland, adding that at the ceremony, the family will be feeding the entire Egi communities.
He described as exorbitant the cost of hosting the ceremony, stressing that for last year, over five hundred thousand naira was spent by the family to host the proclamation ceremony, while for this year, the amount was however reduced. Elder Obulor commended the management of Total Nigeria Limited for its support so far, but urged the company to increase its financial support from the current amount of one hundred thousand naira to something substantial.
Speaking during the proclamation ceremony, Elder Obulor decried the rising level of youth restiveness in Egiland and stressed the need for the people to use the Egwu Ogba as an opportunity to reflect on their history as one people with a common destiny.
According to him, the Egwu Ogba should be used as a tool for reconciliation across the various segments of Egiland, while those aggrieved should cultivate the spirit of forgiveness.
Also speaking, the chairman of Egi Council of Chiefs High Chief S.O. Orikoha who highlighted the history of the migration of Ogba and Ekpeye people from the ancient Benin Kingdom said that the Egi people should see themselves as one people.
He warned those perpetrating violence in Egiland to have a rethink as their ancestors will not forgive them.
The ceremony which took place at the Ereme Town Square was attended by traditional rulers and titled citizens of Egiland.
Prominent among the traditional rulers are the Eze Egi Etiti, HRH, Eze London Nwaobiyebe, Eze Ahiahu, HRH, Ikeagu Akoku, High Chief S.O Orikoha, Chairman Egi Council of Chiefs, High Chief M.A. Ebidi, Eze Ahia Orie, Chief S.O. Jacob Secretary, Council of Chiefs, amongst others.
Also present were members of the Amala cultural group, the Umu Akoku women group and the Egi council of juju priests amongst others. A minute silence was observed in honour of the departed Eze Egi, HRM, Eze Kingdom Elenwa.
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.”