Entertainment
PH Gets New Museum, Zoo
Stakeholders in the tour
ism industry in Nigeria converged last week in Port Harcourt for the pre-opening facility tour of the Museum of African History and Culture, and Zoo located in the Brooklyn Tourist Centre, Rumuosi near the University of Port Harcourt.
The complex is the brain child of one of the leading tourism practitioners in the country, Alabo Mike Amachree, the former President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN).
The Museum has history of top Manarchs who has left indelible marks in the history of Nigeria.
After being taken round the complex to see the zoo and the museum, the practitioners also visited the chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty Dandeson Douglas Jaja, the Amayanabo of Opobo.
Amachree described tourism as a major economic activity which generates income and also creates employment for the people.
He said for a country or state to attract tourists of local and international status, there was the need for such infrastructures and super structures capable of attracting tourists to be put in place in addition to the tourists attractions.
According to him, it was on that basis that the practitioners visited the monarch to make suggestions on how the state could build its tourism profile so as to attract tourist.
The former ATPN President stated that Rivers State with international airport, seaport and network of roads, and the petroleum industry, has comparative advantage over other states in the country for tourists’ inflow.
He noted that Rivers State was the first state in Nigeria to establish a tourist site known as Isaka Holiday Resort in 1967 by the first Military Governor of the Old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff while he (Amachree) established the second one called Port Harcourt Tourist Beach.
“It is also n record that my association the ATPN organized the first Abuja carnival under my leadership in 1991 as well as the second Rivers State Cultural and Musical Carnival tagged RIVCAM 93”, he said.
He remarked that tourism was not about building hotels and organizing carnival, but that emphasise should be laid on developing high class tourist sites and museums where our history, cultural relics, artifacts and monuments would be permanently exhibited for admiration of visiting tourists.
“The tour operators would then market the sites and bring in visitors”, he said adding that development and promotion of tourism is entirely a private sector affair while government provides enabling environment.
He said traditional rulers, as custodians of culture, history and tradition should be assisted by the government to equip their palaces with relics and artifacts to promote tourism in various communities.
Amachree charged private investors and the government to open up rural areas by establishing private tourists sites which would create more jobs.
Responding the Amayanabo of Opobo praised Amachree for his consistency in efforts towards developing tourism in the country and expressed excitement at the new museum of African History and Culture.
He noted that if tourism is developed to its full potentials, oil would take a back seat and promised to take the message to the government.
Chris Oluoh
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.’