Entertainment
Buchi: From Night Club To Choir Ministry …Thrills Guests At RSBC Easter Choral Festival
Internationally acclaimed
gospel music maestro Buchi, is a household name in both the gospel music genre and the entertainment world, his exploits in the gospel music industry is legendary. In 1992, Buchi gave his life to Jesus at the Christ Embassy Church and transited from night club to choice ministry where he has remained till date and has released many hit songs.
In an interview with the reggae artiste turned gospel singer, Buchi attributed the huge success he had recorded so far in his gospel music career, to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit which directs his songs, prophecies and stage performances.
He disclosed this to The Tide Entertainment after his unprecedented stage performance as a guest artiste at the Easter Choral Festival organized by the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation on Monday April 6th 2015 at the Main Bowl of Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre Moscow Road Port Harcourt.
The gospel music living legend literally stole the show with his inspirational praise songs as the large crowd of guests went into a frenzy as they sang, danced, and shouted praises to God and the risen Christ. He said he is happy with the people of Rivers State particularly RSBC for the wonderful opportunity given to him to perform before the mammoth crowd that turned up for the event.
He stated that this was his first time of coming to Rivers State to perform and if he is invited again he will gladly oblige. Buchi was born in Kaduna to parents of Abia State origin, his education began in Enugu, took him through Methodist College Uzeakoli and Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu. In 1983 he came to Lagos to study English Language and Literary Studies in University of Lagos (UNILAG). He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree and Master of Arts (MA) in 1988 and later took up an appointment to lecture at the institute alongside a PhD programme.
He was in the department of English until 1994 when he embraced a higher calling to propagate the gospel of Jesus through writing and singing same in the Reggae genre. While in the university, his casual involvement in Black activism through reggae clubs grew more intense after listening to Oliver Tambo and the officials of African National Congress (ANC), from South Africa.
During the club’s exhibition on apartheid in South Africa, Reggae music as an outcry against oppression became deeper, little wonder he so became involved in one of the campus confraternity which at the same period, prided themselves as the anti oppression movement. This preoccupation with reggae music took a new turn when his friend Ras Kimono invited him to join the team of Deejays (DJs) on the floating Bukka, a reggae nite club situated on a docked vessel on the Marina, Lagos Island.
Foremost on the list of Buchi’s strong musical influences are Eric Donalson, Joseph Hills, Burning Spear and Fanky Paul. In 1992, Buchi gave his life to Jesus at Christ Embassy Church and transited from Night Club to the choir ministry where he has remained till date and has released many hit songs.
His 1st album was in 1999 titled “These Days”, 2nd album”, So Beautiful (2002), 3rd album,” What a Life” (2005), 4th album sound of life (2008) and the 6th album, Judah (2011). Beside being a prolific song writer, Buchi has also authored two books namely” “Behind the songs” (Anthology) and “Seize Fire” ( A novel based on his true life story”.
Buchi has ministered in church concerts, crusades, gospel music festivals etc. He is also a multiple award winner which includes. The prestigious Amen award for best in gospel category (1999), Faith Awards (2000), Pomp Awards (2002) STOMA Awards for the three categories: Best Artiste, Reggae Artiste and Gospel Album of the year, (2005), Life Aachievement Award (2008) among many others.
Buchi is married with four children, his latest single is titled “His Name is Holy”.
According to Buchi, (some songs are composed) some reconstructed, others are birthed in the place of fellowship with God’s Spirit. They just come in a sense one cannot of claim authorship, of this last category ‘Your Name is Holy’ belongs here. In his first collabo with his daughter Olive, he seeks to capture a worship session in heaven.
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
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French

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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