Entertainment

How Carnivals, Street Parties Dominated Last Yuletide In Rivers

Published

14 years ago

January 18, 2013

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

Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”

Entertainment

Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.

Entertainment

I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.