Entertainment
Choristers-TurnedMusic Artistes Exposed
A recent investigation has
revealed some of the top Nigerian artistes who started from the church either as singers in choir, praise leaders or drummers before moving over to secular music much later in their lives. They include the following.
Peter and Paul Okoye (P Square)
This singing duo disclosed that their mother, Josephine Okoye influenced their music career later in life. She used to be a member of a choir and when they were growing up, she took them to rehearsals and they watched her as she sang with the choir, so they got the music disposition from her.
Later she became a pastor in her ministry called “Friends of Jesus Catholic Prayer Ministry and when she started her ministry, they were her choir, her choristers.
Olubankole Wellington (Banky W)
This great entertainer and top artiste disclosed that everybody who knew him knew that he sang.
He said he started singing at an earlier stage. I was always singing in school or church choir.
Michael Collins Ajere (Don Jazzy)
In an interview, Don Jazzy made it known to the public that he started singing at the church choir.
Amanyi Oche Gabriel Terry G.)
Terry G as he is popularly known revealed that he came from a Christian background. His dad was an elder in church, while his mother was a deaconess and at one time she used to be a choir mistress. I used to go all the time to the church with my mom. I already knew how to sing, so I ended up in the choir. Quickly I started developing interest in musical, I picked up the drums, graduated to key boards and even played bass guitter”, he said.
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (D Banj)
The Koko master needs no introduction since the name has become a house-hold name. He said during his younger days he learnt how to play harmonica, that was where the love for music grew.
He disclosed that he joined the choir and played every instrument he could lay his hands. At any opportunity he got, he tried to express himself through music.
J-Martings
He also mentioned in an interview that he started singing at the church. “Actually my mum was a choir mistress, so I think the seven of us caught the singing bug from her. From singing, I took to playing musical instruments and got into production while I was in school in Onitsha.
Enetimi Alfred Odom (Timaya)
The ‘Ukwu’ singer who spoke on his musical journey, said he started from church before starting up as a back up for Eedris Abdukareem for three years before exploring his musical career.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (Wizkid)
The dude who started his music career at a young age is not left out. He started when he was eleven years at the church and from then on, he has been in love with music. He dropped an album in church, performed in church and went from church to church for performance”, I am thankful to God for where I am now”, he stated.
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (Iyanya)
It was gathered that Iyanya used to sing in his church choir and was the choirmaster for the children’s choir at the age of five, he later started rapping even back than he was rapping, he was in the choir.
Oluwatobi Wande (Wandecoal)
Wandecoal like most great musicians started singing in the teenage choir in church where he was with a group member, Chuddy K. He got his breakthrough in the Nigerian Entertainment industry as a dancer. He continued improving on his vocal skill and got signed to Don Jazzy’s Mo Hits Records in 2006. He featured on D’banj’s Rundown’, ‘Funk You Up’ album and on singles like Loke, Tonosible and Why Me’
Dare Art Alade
Dare Art Alade revealed that it all started when he was about eight in the children’s choir of his church. While he was at CMS Grammer School, he led the choir, they would perform at functions, he was also a member of the choir of Cathedral Church of Christ and capped it up by studying music at University of Lagos. Some of his friends came together and they formed a singing group called “Chorde Webs”.
Aituaje Iruobe (Waje)
As a young and gifted singer, she once sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa of the Word of Faith Church Benin. While at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, where she had a degree in social work, Waje was very much with her musical side by making sure she performed in school concerts and fellowship.
Culled from global excellence magazine.
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.
Entertainment
World Music Day: Alliance Française Port Harcourt Showcases Talents
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.
Entertainment
PMAN Set To Implement Performance Levy ‘Tomorrow
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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