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PH City Agog For Valentine Day

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St. Valentine celebration is
here again! Today Friday 14th February 2014 is set aside to celebrate the true essence of love all over the world: Port Harcourt residents in the oil rich Rivers State are not left out of the celebration as most residents of Nigeria’s Garden City see it as an opportunity to embrace the flowers and cupid, put a little extra effort to slow their spouses that they are not taken for granted.
To ensure a successful celebration, most families have mapped out strategies to pamper their love ones with gifts, affection eating and drinking at exotic hangouts in the city. Showbiz personalities and operators of various entertainment outfits in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital have made serious preparations to give love seekers, families and friends a swell time.
The Tide Entertainment in a recent investigation discovered that most of the popular hangouts now wear a new look as some of the popular outfits have been refurbished and well equipped with exotic drinks of all brands, mesmerising  lightening systems and other state of the art facilities, ambience and enabling environment to give their customers  maximum fun and relaxation. The side attractions in most of this popular joints include professional dancers, artistes, comedians and Dise Jockies (DJs) who play both the old and new school songs to create an all round satisfaction for all classes of the fun seekers.
The Tide Entertainment who spoke with some of the residents found that they all want to celebrate this year’s val in grand style. According to the General Manager Clubs, Afrique Hotel Port Harcourt, Prince Victor Ifeanyi Mini, Valentine is like any other day in the sense that every day is a celebration of life. He disclosed that he will use part of the day to celebrate with his family, friends and well wishers, share love and affection and thank God for his mercies and blessings. He noted that valentine celebration is not to commit sins and encourage amorous relationships, but to come closer to God with thanksgiving.
Mr John Weli, a Port Harcourt based politician who is popularly known as Jonny B said,” I am going to pamper my wife and lavish gifts on her because love is being responsible for somebody or something unconditional, it is showing a deep part of you with tender kindness.
Also commenting on his plan for the valentine celebration, a Port Harcourt based Afro Hip hop singer and Reggae crooner.
Mr Ogwara popularly known as the “African King”, noted that this years valentine celebration is special to him as it will afford him the opportunity to thank God for his abundant mercies. He noted that the day will be celebrated with his wife and children, while his fans would be entertained with his latest song.
For Prince Opuada Sampson Bristol, transporter, Saint Valentine is a good day in remembrance of one who died for love. He stressed that even God gave his only begotten son that he should die for sinners which shows that love rules the world.
According to him, he would like to take his family and friends to some of the popular entertainment joints in Port Harcourt to celebrate this years valentine.
“I am going to lavish gifts on my girl, I will take her for dinner or just drive out with her, looking for the best pepper soup joint to entertain her, she is my val and anybody who is with me this festive period deserves an award”, he stated.
An ace comedian in the city Ubi Emmanuel popularly known as ‘Rugged Pastor’ observed that valentine is like every other day, the celebration and expression of love should not be limited to a day. Incidentally according to him, “I will be cracking jokes to entertain my friends and well wishers with my usual hilarious jokes at a comedy show here in the city as a way of giving back to the society that has made me, I would like to show love by making my fans to laugh, be happy and have wonderful relaxation.
A group under the aegis of Mama Gee International foundation, Port Harcourt chapter has finalised plans to celebrate the valentine day in a grand style. The body in a statement signed by its state chairman, Mr Promise Dokubo, said members have decided to mark the day for the love they have for one another despite their ethnic and religious diversities.
The chairman assure that it would be a day of fun, eating and drinking as members from all walks of life are expected to be present and well entertained.
According to the National chairperson of the orgainsation, Madam Love Akpabio popularly known as ‘Mama Gee’ Valentine day is a day to show love, gratitude and thanksgiving not only to humans but to God almighty. She said the occasion will be the first of its kind in the state and thanked her customers for their patronage over the years.
It would be recalled that saint valentine started as a liturgical celebration associated with St. Valentine who was imprisoned for performing wedding for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire during his imprisonment.
He was also said to have healed the daughter of his jailer Asterius. It was stated that before his execution, he wrote “from your valentine” as a fare well to her.
Today, Anglican communion as well as the Lutheran Church celebrate St. Valentine. Symbols that are used today include the heart shaped outline doves and the figure of the winged cupid. Since the 19th century, hand written valentines have given way to mass production of greeting cards every valentine.
Be that as it may, it is certain that it will be a dazzling night at most entertainment hangouts in the city of Port Harcourt, home of entertainment and hospitality as high caliber live musical concerts are expected to be held at those outlets to thrill fans with both foreign and “Naija Vibes” as well as an assemblage of popular comedians in their elements to make the night an interesting one to remember.

Musicians performing on stage

Musicians performing on stage

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World Music Day: Alliance Française Port Harcourt Showcases Talents

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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.

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PMAN Set To Implement Performance Levy  ‘Tomorrow

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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

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“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French

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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.

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