Entertainment
How Carnivals, Street Parties Dominated Last Yuletide In Rivers
The entertainment industry witnessed an unprecedented boost in Rivers State last Yuletide as activities in the various aspects of the industry such as music, dance tourism and the hospitality outlets were at their peak. The season witnessed carnivals, beach and street parties, cultural displays beauty pageants and what have you?, while traders, operators of hospitality outlets and show biz personalities smiled to the banks.
The Rivers State Cultural Festival tagged CARNIRIV 2012 which coincided with the centenary celebration of Port Harcourt City opened the flood gate of activities that showcased the cultural heritage of the Rivers people and attracted both local and international personalities, tourists and big time investors who stormed the state to participate in the historic events.
Some of the events that brought the state to world recognition include the international aquatic fiesta and boat regatta that showcased the aquatic prowess of the state to the delight of the local and foreign spectators, cultural exhibitions, international heritage and Garden city free style heritage parades and Ekere Rhythm of the tribes that highlighted the rich and enviable cultural heritage of the Rivers people through music and dance.
Other events were dance of fireflies, highlife/old school Jams, Black African Music fiesta (BAMFEST) and Reggae 360. These events were dominated by music of various genres and featured seasoned local and international artistes such as Shaggy, Jamaican born Morgan Heritage, Raggae Idol, Ras Kimono, Oritz Whilliki as well as 2 Face, Tymaya, Port Harcourt first son, Duncan mighty, Peter Stone Cold, African China, Muma Gee and King Sunny Brown amongst others.
Within this period, the state also played host to Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant. These events were closely followed by beach parties in most of the local government areas of the state including Bonny, Buguma, Opopo, Ogu/Bolo Etc as well as street parties in almost all the major streets in Port Harcourt, while the villages were not left out in the celebrations.
In a chat with The Tide entertainment, a Port Harcourt based show biz personality and one of the organizers of most of the street parties in Port Harcourt, Prince Nicholas Duke noted that last year’s celebrations were exceptional in terms of fun, security and entertainment generally. According to him, last year’s carnivals and street parties were well organised hence there were no casualties or public disturbances like in previous ones.
Duke thanked the state government for the security arrangement and reiterated that the security personnel lived up to expectation. He said they should be encouraged because without adequate security, subsequent events may not succeed. He also advised that similar events should also be encouraged as they bring about love, unity and friendship amongst the people and serve as antidote to cultism and other social vices among the youths.
The Chief Executive of Dukesons Ventures said he was optimistic that 2013 would be better as people have embraced the new development and look forward to them. He said the awareness was encouraging and it would serve as a boost to the entertainment and tourism sectors of the state as well as generate more revenue for the state.
Entertainment
“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law
In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)
The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.
The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.
Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.
The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.
While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.
According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.
Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.
“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.
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