Entertainment
Why PH Remains Tourists Home Away From Home
Guests at a social function in PH
Rivers State is very rich in
tourist attraction. With its long expanse s of beautiful coastal sandy beaches stretching from Opobo through Brass to Koluama, numerous long and winding creeks, streams and rivers as well as forests with their associated shrines and wildlife, the tourism potential of Rivers State is yet to be fully tapped, as a major theatre in the slavetraffic and palm oil trade of the mid nineteenth and early twentieth centuries is endowed with war relics, artifacts and historical monuments.
Today, the state occupies an enviable position as the centre of oil and gas operations in the country and the home of several other modern industrial establishments. Rivers State culture is rich in festivals, ceremonies, dances, music and crafts, and these are varied and diverse as the people whose hospitality has become legendary. The rich culture of the state which is rooted in its unique environment of lakes, creeks, rivers, forests and swamps, provides the centre point of its tourism development.
Since the establishment of the tourism and hotels corporation in 1970, the Rivers State Government has embarked upon several tourism projects. Notable among these are the Isaka Holiday Resort on a twenty three hectare Island about one nautical mile from Port Harcourt, the zoo in Trans Amadi and the Isaac Boro Lesure Park along Aba road in Port Harcourt. Other projects include the renovation of the Jubilee Park in the old township and the establishment of a museum in the Secretariat Complex. These projects have been developed as a social service with the aim of providing facilities for sightseeing and recreation for residents of the state and those visiting.
Port Harcourt, the capital city is certainly one of the most bubbling cities in Nigeria. Although a major industrial centre, it is affluent with history and boasts of a large number of tourist attractions. The city also referred to as Garden City, has a lot to offer and is definitely the right place to visit if you have a taste for the good things of life. With a myriad recreational and fun-spots which have turned the city into tourists first port of call and home away from home.
A trip to the happening city is incomplete without a taste of the local cuisine known as Bole and Fish. A significant meal of the Rivers people, it is made from a recipe of roasted plantain and fish slathered in the most delectable peppery, palm oil sauce. The thing about Bole and Fish is that it is best purchased on a street corner where indigenous Port Harcourt women prepare the meals on red hot coals. And as with all street food, it is best to be sure that it is freshly made and piping hot when you buy it. D/Line, a Street in Port Harcourt, is fondly referred to as ‘Bole headquarters’ as it harbours a large number of sellers. If you however do not fancy the idea of buying food off the streets casually in a black nylon bag, you can go to or place an order from the Bole king a fairly new restaurant launched to cater to the ‘Bole needs’ of the city.
Port Harcourt cultural center is a famous tourist attraction located on Bonny Street, it serves as a centre for exhibiting the cultural diversity of Port Harcourt and Rivers State as a whole. The centre exhibits artifacts that tell the history of the city, and houses shops that sell copies of these local artifacts as well as African jewelry, home wares, pottery and souvenirs within the center. Again with a theater a stage and auditorium for live performance of cultural dance and play, it holds a huge attraction for visitors. You can also take time out to see a play at the cultural centre and have fun, learning new things about the city’s rich culture.
Port Harcourt tourist beach is a tourist destination in the city located at Kolabi creek east of the old township, Port Harcourt Tourist Beach is arguably the most popular beach in Port Harcourt. A clean sandy beach, it is perfect for a walk by the seaside while enjoying the cool breeze. You can also sunbathe and enjoy a dip in the cool water. Many activities are available for visitors looking for sport.
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.”