The Entertainment indus
try comprises  movies, music, comedy and night clubs amongst others used to entertain people. It involves showcasing talents to create amusement for pleasure, make people laugh, relax, reduce stress or tension. It brings happiness to friends, families, individuals and society.
The entertainment industry in Rivers State has over the years recorded positive transformations, it has moved from obscurity to the limelight and from the job of mediocres to professionals. The various achievements recorded by the entertainment outlets in the state are quite impressive. They include the following:
Movies
The movie industry in Rivers State apart from producing the best talents in Nollywood, the state also boasts of the best locations, hotels, and other facilities required for the production of standard movies that can stand the test of time. Among the indigenous stars are: Hilda Dokubo, Ibinabo Fiberesima-Ebuka (The current president of The Actors Guild of Nigeria AGN) and the first female to occup  the position, Monalisa  Chinda, Tonto Dike, Morriene Ihua, Lady Milliscent Jack, and Dr. Sam Dede.
Others include: Larry Briggs, Basorge Tariah, Columbus Irosoanga, Gentle Jack, Alaso Wariboko Etc, as well as movie producers among whom are Mrs. Vickey EEN(CEO African Film Producers Ltd) and Engr. Reginald Orlu (chairman Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Rivers State chapter and a host of others.
Among the movies produced in the state are “Snake Kingdom”, “War of Roses” “Double Trouble”, Battle of the Gods”, – “School Life”, “Elegible Spinster”, “Last Glory”, “Who Cares”, “Sounds of Love” etc.
The movie industry in the state also boasts of two world class cinema houses namely Silverbird Cinemas and Genesis Deluxe Cinemas where residents of the city patronize on daily basis to watch the latest foreign and local movies. The state also played to the ION film festival for the first time in Africa, among other notable achievements.
Music
The music industry in the state is also developing at a very fast rate with various innovations to its credit. From the past to the present generations, the state has remained a force to be reckoned with in the development of the music industry in Nigeria.
It is on record that Rivers State produced the legendary high life king of Africa, the late cardinal Jim Rex Lawson and other internationally recognized high life music maestros, such as late King David Bull of  the Seagulls Band, late Jack West Omodu of Garden City band, Living Legend, King Sunny Brown, the great Chief  Sana of the Seamasters Band etc.
Today, high life music is facing relegation in the state, while modern genres of music such as hip-hop, RnB, Reggae, gyration music amongst others have taken the centre stage. However, the state is not lagging behind in the new trend as she has produced internationally acclaimed music stars, such as Daniel Wilson, Duncan Mighty, Emmanuel Amakiri (a.k.a Oba Omega) and the Nubian songstress, Mrs Gift Ekeh (aka Muma Gee).
Others are: Komboye Sinclair, Maja Briggs, Arthur Willie Pepple, Jnr, Peter Stone Cold, Lexy M, Sky B, Soty Samuel Horsfall, Posh Kayana, Lady IB etc. Although Reggae music is finding it difficult to stay afloat in the state, serious efforts are being made by some Reggae faithfuls to keep the flag flying.
Comedy
This is another aspect of the entertainment industry that has taken the state by storm to the extent that any social event in the state be it big or small without the presence of a stand up comedian, is regarded as a flop. Their funny jokes are so appreciated by the social class that most of them are willing to pay exhorbitant fees to the rib crackers, just to make their guests laugh, some even refer to them as “stress therapists”.
It would be recalled that in the past, the society regarded comedians as school drop outs, “never do wells”, street urchins and other negative names, but today comedy has become a lucrative profession for the gifted ones.  Comedians are now celebrities in their own right who now wine and dine with the rich and mighty in the society. They have become the stone the builder rejected, but later turned out to be the head corner stone.
Among the indigenous humour merchants who hold-sway in the state are Julius Agwu, Dan D’ Humourous, Akas Baba of Wazobia FM Port Harcourt, Prince Hezekiah, Angel the laugh, Rugged Pator, Easy Blaze etc. They are the toast of every big event in the state.
Night Clubs
Another major aspect of entertainment in the state is night clubbing. The night club is the place you go to listen to the latest music in town as well as some ‘old school vibes’, Dance, relax, wine, dine and generally catch undiluted fun. It is exclusively for those who can afford the exorbitant prices of beer, the exotic wine and hot drinks, mouth watering snacks and other delicacies as well as the gate fee.
Inside the club hall, you are confronted by different bulbs of various colours and sizes, the lightings give you an eerie feeling coupled with the cosy environment which creat a false impression of paradise on earth. Activities in the clubs are at there peak on Wednesdays and weekends. The clubs also serve as haven of sorts for the ladies of easy virtue who go there to conduct their immoral trade or ‘Runs’ business, some men also patronize the clubs not only to drink and dance but to make new’ catch”.
Those who cannot afford the cost of a night club, make do with the drinking palours, pepper soup joints and other hang outs where they equally get their fun at a cheaper rate.
Among the popular night clubs in the city are, Cassablanca, Oaker beak, Boomerang, Mr D’ Plaza and Fabulous among numerous others.
Cultural Entertainment
This article will be incomplete without making mention of cultural entertainment which refers to cultural dances, masquerades and other plays that not only entertain, but showcases the unique cultural heritage of the state to the outside world. The Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) is in the forefront of promoting the rich aquatic culture of the riverine people and the upland cultural prowess through the annual CARNIRIV which is one of the most glamourous and well attended cultural festivals in Africa. The week-long cultural fiesta always attracts troop of guests and tourists from all parts of the world.
No wonder Rivers State is seen as “a home away from home”, as it plays host to different classes of people from all over world who always visit the Garden City and Treasure Base of Nigeria to relax, get fun and to be treated to the legendary hospitality of which the state is known for in the global circle.

Jacob Obinna