Entertainment
Lexy M Rates Rivers Entertainment Industry Above Average
Frontline music Maestro and
Showbiz personality in Rivers State, Mr. Lexy Mueka popularly called Lexy M has rated the entertainment industry in Rivers State above average in terms of performance and creativity.
The Ogoni, Rivers State-born musician and producer, said the state is well-blessed with all categories of entertainers as well as peaceful and enabling environment which have turned the state capital, Port Harcourt to one of the most viable cities in the country both in entertainment and other business opportunities.
The former chairman of the performing musicians Employees Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in the State, however noted that most of the foremost entertainers who brought glory and respect to the state through their escapades in the industry were not cerebrated by the state as a mark of honour and respect.
According to him people like Late Cardinal Rex Lawson, Prince David Bull Jackwest Omodu of Garden city band, Boma Erekosima and Living Legend, King Sunny Brown Etc, have not been remembered in the last five years. He stressed that these Icons of the industry need to be remembered and celebrated annually.
He noted that music is part of show business, in Lagos, Onitsha, Aba Etc musicians there see every thing about music as business, but their colleagues here in Port Harcourt see it as fun and this attitude is not helping them to grow to stardom and recognition, so they need to repackage themselves to national and international standards.
He emphasized that another militating factor against the growth of musicians in the state is lack of encouragement, recognition and sponsorship, because our people do not believe in the indigenous musicians, they rather prefer outsiders, he also complained about lack of viable market in the state where musicians could record and sell their works that is why most of them go to Lagos and other neighbouring cities and refused to come back.
He however, contended that despite these set backs all genres of music live here in the state, while most of the artistes making waves in the countrymusic clan today all have their roots in Rivers State, such as Duncan Mighty, Daniel Wilson, Flavour, Burna Boy, Gift of Aboki Shine My Shoe fame, Oba Omega, Rymzo Etc.
On the comedy profession in the state, the Showbiz Maestro said “most of the people who parade themselves as comedians are nothing but jesters”. He maintained that comedy to him is humour mongering to make people laugh and relax not to insult organizers of the event and their guests.
He observed that during the days of Iyobu Koko, Boma Erekosima, Micheal Obodo Singer Etc, comedy was all about laughter, fun and relaxation, but these days, comedians turn their employers and guests to dummies to be laughed at even after paying heavily for their services.
According to him, these anomalies exist because there are no checks and balances in the profession and “they donot even have an association to check their excesses. He however expressed hope that genuine comedians with the talent and exposure will soon sort out themselves to prove to the world that comedy is not an all comers game.
For the movie industry, he said Rivers State is not playing the second fiddle as most of the actors and actresses from the state who have found themselves in the mainstream are playing leading roles in the make believe industry in Nigeria, called Nollywood.
He reiterated that there is hardly any movie jacket in the market without the faces of the Rivers State born thespians such as Sam Dede, Columbus Irisoanga, Walter Anger, Gentle Jack, Alaso Wariboko, Monalisa Chinda, Hilda Dokubo, Tonto Dike, Maureen Ihua, Milliscent Jack Etc.
LexyM who is also into movie production confirmed that there are good script writers with interesting story lines in Rivers State, but they lack the finances to develop the scripts or shoot the movie, so most of them sell the scripts to producers and marketers.
Beauty pageants is another aspect of the entertainment clan the seasoned musician rated highly. He said with the various international beauty events hosted by the state, it is obvious that Rivers State occupies an envirous position in the world. Apart from hosting Two Editions of ECOWA beauty pageant and several others, Rivers State born Agbani Derego was crowned the first ever black African Miss World, which brought international recognition to not only Rivers State but to Nigeria as a country.
He observed that many people misunderstand beauty pageants and attach negative opinions to it with diverse cultural values which is affecting most of the young girls who may want to become models and queens, he noted that beauty pageants are all about beauty and brains, fashion and modeling so parents should encourage their beautiful daughters to participate and bring honour to the state.
LexyM however condemned the fake pageant organizers who are out to dupe the public and the contestants. He said most of them choose the girls with very rich back ground or social contacts in high places as winners.
Most times the wishes of the audience do not count as the handpicked judges are there to do the bidding of the organizers. Others promise mouth watering prizes and big contracts for the winners only to disappoint them at the end.
He said these are the people killing beauty pageants in the state. He therefore called on the state government to investigate the activities of these organizations to fish out the fraudsters, and sanitise the industry.
He lauded the State government for reviving and showcasing the state’s indigenous cultural heritage through CARNIRIV. According to him the event has brought Tourists and international organizations from all over the world to the state.
Entertainment
Ijaw Nation Day Festival Begins, Today
All is now set for the three-day cultural event tagged, Ijaw ‘Nation Day Festival’ expected to commence today, in Lagos State.
The fiesta is organised by Miebaka Aggo, a professional cyclist and an Ijaw son who is currently based in Lagos State.
Aggo, who disclosed this to The Tide Entertainment yesterday, said that the cultural event which is organised annually, serves as a reminder of the Ijaw culture to the ijaws residing in Lagos State
’For the cultural festival is to show the Ijaws in Lagos our tradition, so they don’t forget,’ he said.
According to him, the fiesta will feature cultural displays such as masquerades, Ijaw dance performances, boat regatta and traditional wrestling, arts and crafts displays and musical performance.
Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing to host a traditional sports festival this year end in Bayelsa Sate or Rivers State of the Niger Delta region.
‘“The traditional sports festival will be held in Niger Delta this year end or early next year. It is a big budget,” he explained.
He mentioned that the organisers are hopeful of sponsorship from companies and well-meaning individuals in the region.
Sports to be contested for include
1. Wrestling
2. Swimming
3. Canoeing
4. Draft
5. Aquathlon(run, swim, run respectively)
6. Triathlon (bike, swim, run)
“However, 5 and 6 are borrowed Olympic sports that favour our region because we can swim, but the major sports to expect are wrestling, swimming and canoeing,” he said.
Nancy Briggs
Entertainment
Life And Times Of Goddy Oku
“In his book, ‘The Wings’, drummer-turned-guitarist, Manford Best, wrote extensively and glowingly of the pivotal role Goddy played in his music career, in the face of his (Manford’s) natural challenge”
On Friday, January 19, 2024, Chief Tony Okoroji, the Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Uche Emeka Paul, Sir Angus Power Nwangwu and other members of COSON were in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, Anambra State to pay the last respects of COSON to Engr Goddy Ogomegbunam Oku. Describing Oku as an “iconic musician…long-term motivator of the music industry…leader of the Hygrades, proprietor of Godiac Studios…a great man and a true genius”, Chief Okoroji draped the casket with the flag of COSON. To perform this rite of passage, Okoroji flew in from Lagos, Paul flew in from Abuja, Nwangwu drove in from Enugu and other members arrived from various states reflecting the esteemed regards Goddy Oku commanded in the COSON family. My experience with Goddy Oku and those of others as contained in the following dirge epitomise the essence of Okoroji’s graveside oration. Goddy was really a “long-term motivator of the music industry”.
During the Nigerian civil war, my family took refuge in Umuchima, down the valley at the outskirts of Orlu, Imo State. One evening, my father returned from Orlu with a message from my friend, Emeka Ifejika, that Biafra Army Officers Training School (BAOTS) was setting up a pop band and they were searching for a bass guitarist. Goodness gracious!!! I was the bassist of The Hardnuts, my defunct teenage band in Port Harcourt; so, I saw it as the opportunity to avoid conscription, which had intensified at the time. Very early the next morning, I sneaked through the back into the sprawling scenic compound of Bishop Shanaham College, Orlu, which housed BAOTS and, as God would have it, I met Goddy Oku. For three hours, he drilled me on bass guitar playing, basic chord progressions and eventually accepted me as bassist/vocalist of the proposed band. An identity card and a “Pass” were quickly prepared to enable me return to Umuchima the next day, pick up my personal effects and report for duty.
With Dona Dyke (Donatus Nwadike) on drums and Goddy on lead guitar/vocals, we became The Silhouettes, a power trio that played side-by-side Sunny Nwamama of “Umunwanyi ji ukwu achodi” fame. That was at a time Jimi Hendrix Experience, James Gang, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Cream, Grand Funk Railroad and other Power Trios were hip in Europe and America but hadn’t emerged in the West African music scene; so, our ensemble was peculiar or odd, if you prefer.
One day, Warrant Officer Murphy introduced a young man by name Justus Nnakwe (JU-Xperience) to Goddy and appealed that he (Justus) should be taught an instrument. Within two weeks, Goddy drilled Justus and transformed him from a complete neophyte to a rhythm guitarist. Eventually, JU had his first outing and The Silhouettes morphed into a four-some at an event for the Commandant of BAOTS, Colonel Tim Onwuatuegwu. Thereafter, Goddy groomed a singer whose entry gave the band a greater body and earthy sound. At the end of the civil war, I returned home to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, cofounded The Blackstones Band in January 1970 and chased the stars until 1972 when societal and family pressure leashed me back to school in the United States where I consistently earned pocket change thru playing guitar; the trade in which Goddy Oku groomed and gowned me.
Goddy mentored numerous artists in his days; the list is virtually endless. Sonny Okosuns, John Kerry, Nelly Uchendu, Panam Percy Paul, Chris Okotie, Felix Liberty, Felarday, Clement Amaechi and a host of others. Kenny Koburn (KK) once reminisced on how he broke bounds in high school to watch The Blackstones perform at Golf Course Hotel, Owerri in the early 1970s. Enamored by the performance of the bassist of the band, KK said he dropped out of school and headed to Enugu where he was tutored to play bass guitar by Goddy Oku. Subsequently, KK co-founded Founders Fifteen of Port Harcourt. In his book, ‘The Wings’, drummer-turned-guitarist, Manford Best, wrote extensively and glowingly of the pivotal role Goddy played in his music career, in the face of his (Manford’s) natural challenge. Before his demise, Prof Frank Onyezili (Frank Zilly of The Fractions) narrated to me the crucial role Goddy played in his music career before he returned to school. Goddy it was who played the classical guitar interlude in “Igede” by Celestine Ukwu. Arguably, “Igede” stands out as the first instrumental music in the Highlife genre and one of the most memorable songs of Celestine Ukwu.
Over the years, Goddy and I maintained contact and I visited him periodically. We even planned that he’d do one week with me in Port Harcourt and we’d embark on a musical pilgrimage to Abak, Akwa Ibom State to visit Emmanuel Ntia of Solo Hit fame, but that didn’t come to fruition. However, when JU came home in April 2021, I hopped into Enugu on the 13th and the three of us spent one night of reminiscences. We put two mattresses on the floor in Goddy’s parlor and played guitar and talked all night. We relived our collective experiences and walked through the engagements we played during the civil war. It was a memorable night.
JU Xperience, Goddy and
The next morning, April 14, 2021, we took a group photograph without realising that that would be the last time we’d see each other. First, JU sailed to the great beyond in far away China and now Goddy is gone; a rather grim reminder of my sitting at the “Departure Lounge of Life”.
May the creative soul of Godfrey Ogomegbunam Oku rest in the Bosom of God, Amen.
Jason Osai
Entertainment
TB Joshua:This Is Why Victims Do Not Speak Up -Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti has weighed in on the ongoing controversy regarding late Nigerian Prophet, TB Joshua, and states that the vilification of victims is why they do not speak up.
Seun Kuti does not believe that all people who do good things are completely good people.
“I don’t care if he took your family to space, you aren’t everybody,” he said.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the singer aired his views on the issue on Wednesday, charging “religious people” to “do better.”
“Eyin Elebi. Once person someone shares money and rice for people, he is a good person automatically,” he said.
”When this man was alive, he was sooo powerful that his criminal negligence, according to state coroner in Lagos led to the death of 84 people and he didn’t spend one second in police station and you want some young women to come and do what?! When Timis wife came out, you all turned a married woman to a prostitute like magic! That’ is why victims do not speak up!! E du Betta, religious people!!”
Going further, he slammed people who defend the late prophet on the grounds that he helped them one way or another, stressing that the experience of some is not the experience of all people.
In his words, “I don’t care if he took your family to space, and he was good to you, you are not everybody! Because a politician helped one person he would prove to the world that the man is a ‘good person!’ News flash- YOU ARE NOT EVERYBODY!!!”
The late prophet and his church have become the subject of controversy after a three part documentary produced by the BBC, highlighted the negative experiences of ex-Synagogue Church of all Nations members, who called the church “a cult”. Some women also accused TB Joshua of rape, forced abortions, child abuse and overall abuse. These claims have become a topic of discourse ever since with some siding with the church and others choosing to believe the victims.
However, the church has denied all the allegations.
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