Entertainment
LGAs Showcase Acquatic Choreography at CARNIRIV
One of the historic events that marked this year’s CARNIRIV has the display of
acquatic choreography by the various local government areas of the state that
took part in the international aquatic fiesta held on Wednesday at the Port
Harcourt Tourist Beach.
The
highlights of the fiesta were the spectacular display of the ‘Agbara’ and
Oguien Masquerades of Okrika which were artistic, adventurous and acrobatic in
their performances, ornately and colourfully dressed, as well as the awesome display
of the war-canoe houses of Okirika, Opobo, Ogu/Bolo and Degema.
The
exciting manoeuvre of other local government areas attracted cheers and
applauds from the large crowd of spectators. The LGAs were: Ahoada West, Akuku
Toru, Asari-Toru, Andoni, Bonny, Khana, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government
Areas and participants from Akwa Ibom State.
At
the event, spectators were also entertained by musicians such as Singer Man
Flash and other budding artistes and comedians to the delight of foreign guests
and international celebrities amongst whom were the First Bank African Miss
World and Face of CARNIRIV 2012, Agbani Derego, Veteran actors and media
personalities, Comish Ekiye, Adiele Onyedibia and Amabassador Pepple.
It
would be recalled that year after, the boat regatta event captures the excitement
and awe of teeming spectators. To spice it up even further, the Rivers State
Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) decided to compliment the raptures display
of canoes, paddles and choruses in near perfect synchrony with performances by
musicians and cultural troops presented on a floating performance platform.
All
these came alive in the International Acquatic Festival, this platform, well
decorated, securely manned and busy with performances witnessed a gentle sail
back and forth the stretch of water, occasionally interjecting the boat regatta
and other spectacular acquatic displays which ensured that spectators remained
fixated on the entire event.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.