Entertainment
Initiation Dance Enlivens Community
The people of Rumuche Community in Emohua Local Government Area (EMOLGA), Rivers State, were thrown into festive mood last Saturday, as they celebrated the initiation ceremony of Ugwu ‘Nganga’ age grade into the ‘Ugwu etor’ a senior group made up of three different age grades.
The event was marked with traditional dances and merry making.
Members of the ‘Nganga’ age grade, who are between the ages of 58 and 60 years danced at the Rumuche play ground to the admiration of families, friends and well wishers and will hold a Thanksgiving service, at six different churches including Baptist Church, Rumuche, Emohua, and St. Lukes Anglican Church Emohua, to thank God for making it possible for them to celebrate such an important event in their lifetime.
Speaking on behalf of the age grade, Engr. Marcus Okogbule Oriji explained that the day was historic and the ceremony unique because with their initiation into the ‘ukwueto’. It is their duty to serve the community for 12 years at the completion of which each of them will not be less than 74 years and ripe for a greater service to the community.
Engr. Oriji explained that the functions of the Ugwu etor include to ensure peace, progress, law and order in the community, mobilise the youths for communal services such as cleaning roads, cutting farm paths, protecting the community against internal and external aggressions and encouraging educational advancement of the youths as well as settling of minor disputes among others.
He stressed that whatever issue that is beyond them is passed over to Eleru-urie or council of Chiefs and if it is beyond them, it is then passed over to the Ohna council or the ‘Offor holders’ who constitute the highest traditional organ of governance and their decision on any matter is sacrosanct and final as far as the community is concerned.
The dancing ceremony called ‘Omaete eri’ according to him literally means, one who does not know how to dance which symbolises the fact that no matter how you dance or what you do, if you are not given a hand shake at the end by the older age grade your efforts are in vain. “it is a tradition that teaches us that no matter what you do on earth, some body somewhere must tell you if you did it right or not, it tells you that somebody some where is watching you,” he said.
The managing director of Moh-Hi Tech Engineering works, Port Harcourt, described the ceremony as an age-long tradition handed down from generation to generation and there is nothing fetish about it because you are not initiated into a secret cult and there is nothing primitive about it because most of the initiatees are highly educated and have attended various universities within and outside Nigeria.
The graduate of Southernton University, England and former lecturer with Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) said, “we kick against fetish and obnoxious practices, the ceremony is a tradition we have to keep to enable the youths imbibe and respect the custom and tradition of their ancestors which kept them together and ensured their progress over the years.
Engr. Oriji stressed that it is because the youths of today have deviated from the custom and tradition of their ancestors, that is why the society is engulfed by all manner of crime, but in Rumuche, where these traditions are kept, the crime rate is very low compared to other neigbouring villages.
He assured that peace and harmony will continue to reign in the villages especially as they have decided to take the bull by the horn to sanitise the community by adopting the principle of leadership by example. According to him, it is only when they allow lapses that the youths can seize the opportunity to cause havoc and dictate the affairs of the community. He, however, lauded the youths for their maturity, discipline and selfless service to the community, adding that their interest and well being will always be protected.
The Chairman of Nganga age grade, Mr. Chinotu Njokwu Olormi, thanked the members for their efforts which ensured thesuccess of the ceremony as well as friends and well wishers for their support and encouragement.
The Garden City of Rivers State Port Harcourt at the weekend joined other parts of the world to celebrate the World Music Day, 2025, as Alliance Française showcases talents.
The event which is internationally known as Fête de la musique was held at cultural hall of the Alliance Française was a remarkable concert with memorable experience.
The event brought together music lovers, students, Artistes and members of the community For an exciting evening live performances and cultural exchange.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the world Music Day, which was created 1982 in France by the then Minister of culture, Jack Lang, ‘ Fête de la Musique’ is now celebrated in more than 100 countries every 21st June, marking the first day of summer with free concerts and musical showcases in public spaces.
In Port Harcourt, the Alliance Française honoured the tradition by spotlighting four(4) emerging artistes offering a platform to young talents shaping the city’s contemporary scene.
The audience enjoyed an unforgettable moments as they were entertained by the powerful performances from Preach A, who is known for blending fitness culture with spoken words and rhythm.
Also, artiste Emmayany delivering a vibrant fusion of afrobeat and afro pop. A singer, song writer and a performing artiste with a distinct sound.
Others were Amarachy Uko, a sensational singer with passion for soul , R&B, pop music and afrobeat.
While DJ Prospel closed the night with an energetic DJ set that got the entire hall dancing.
Earlier, the Director, Alliance Française, Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal high lighted the mission of the Alliance Française saying that the event was more than a concert.
According to her, the event was put together by the Alliance Française to promote cultural diversity and foster artistic expression by connecting a long standing French tradition with creativity of the local music scene, adding that the event offerers an avenue for dialogue between culture and generations.
She stated that the event is used to promote professional and bring amateur artistes to limelight via the platform of the Alliance Française which is aimed at promoting the French Language through cultural heritage.
She explained that the celebration is also a broader series of Fête de la musique activities organized by the 10 Alliance Française across Nigeria in sync with concerts held in France and around the world simultaneously.
She further noted that the occasion reaffirms the role of Alliance Française as a cultural bridge, one where French heritage meets the pulses of Nigerian youth.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 19 artistes applied to perform at the event in Port Harcourt, but only four got approval for appearance.
The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.
This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.
According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.
He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.
However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).
Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.
He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.
Nancy Briggs
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.