Entertainment
Saint Aboki Seeks Support For ph-Based Comedians
Ace comedian, Saint Aboki, has said that the comedy industry is not getting the maximum support it requires to take entertainment to the next level in Port Harcourt and Rivers State as a whole.
Aboki lamented that the lack of support is the reason not much seems to be happening in the city unlike what it is obtainable in Lagos and Abuja, noting that more needs to be done to boost the industry and to enable more comedians succeed in their act.
On whether Port Harcourt-based comedians are planning for shows in the yuletide, he said there is something in the offing through a group known as ‘PH comedians’funny guys.com, comprising over 100 members and that it will be the group’s first end of the year show this year.
Aboki in a chat with The Tide further said, “There is no general event for PH comedians, we have never had a joint comedy show, it is usually individual shows which is always graced by fellow comedians.
“We are only planning for end of the year, it will be the first of its kind. Although it is just a suggestion and we are yet to know if it will hold,” he said, but expressed the hope that they will get the needed support for the event to fly.
The ace comedian also said that they are doing their best to encourage one another through a forum which comprises of entertainers, but the challenges entertainers are facing in Port Harcourt is forcing some to move out of the city to places like Lagos which is crowded.
“One of the challenges facing entertainment in Port Harcourt is lack of encouragement from the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Youth development and so on.
“Comedians in Port Harcourt are doing their best but we need firms, organizations and industries to support us because companies support entertainers in some states but here, we take care of the bills and eventually people attend the show for free which is not encouraging,” Aboki lamented
He said Port Harcourt residents also patronize strangers more than home grown acts, saying “Most mega events in PH are being hosted by people outside like AY show, Akpororo, Basket mouth and even a night of thousand laugh, come to PH yearly to make millions of naira from us and they patronize people from other cities than people that are making it happen in the city.
“It is only few comedians like of K.O Baba, Prince Hezekahia and Arinze Baba that have built themselves and try to mingle within and outside the shore of Port Harcourt,” he said.
By: Agnes Onwuegbu
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.”