Entertainment
Amachree Bags Father Of Tourism Award
The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) recently presented the Father of Tourism Award to the President of Brooklyn Tourist, Centre, Chief Mike Amachree.
Presenting the award at a brief ceremony in Abuja, the President of the highest tourism body in Nigeria, Alhaji Rabo Saleh said Chief Mike Amachree has laid a formidable landmark for the tourism sector of the country, adding that his achievement was affecting every state and region of the country.
According to him, the tourism mogul who had spent over 56 years in tourism practice in Nigeria had brought awareness and development in all the six geo-political zones of the country.
The FTAN President listed Chief Amachree’s achievements in the sector to include establishment of the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach and the establishment of the Brooklyn Group of Hotels in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Buguma City and Afam.
Alhaji Saleh also listed others as the establishment of Brooklyn Tourist Centre near the University of Port Harcourt which houses zoological garden, the museum of African history and culture, the exhibition of arts and crafts, as well as the establishment of Buguma Beach Resort.
The FTAN President was accompanied on the occasion by the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, a prominent tourism investor, Alhaji Munzali Dantata, Madam Patricia Narai, Deputy Director Domestic Tourism Department of Federal Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism as well as Senator Fatimah Raji Rasaki, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tourism, amongst others.
Responding, Chief Amachree urged both the government and the private sector to work in harmony to make Nigeria one of the best tourism destinations in the world, with a view to creating employment for the masses, generate foreign exchange earning for Nigeria and bring peace and unity to the country.
He stressed the need for the use of tourism to attract industrial development to Nigeria at large.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) under the astute leadership of Alhaji Rabo Saleh for the honour done to him.
He also thanked the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and all the Tourism Commissioners of the 36 States of Nigeria for their immense efforts in tourism development in the country.
It would be recalled that the elder statesman who was recently Awarded Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (D. S. S. R. S) by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had held several appointments in the past. They include Manager, Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited, Lagos, Director, Nigeria Tourism Board which is now Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.
Chief Amachree represented Nigeria during the World Tourism Organisation and African Commission Conference in Accra, Ghana in 1992 as well as at the Young African Leaders Conference in San Francisco, USA in 1993 where he presented a paper.
Chief Amachree was also appointed member of the organising committee of Rives State Illumination and Cultural Festival tagged: RIVIFEST in 1995 and 1996 and member, tourism and culture committee vision 2010 under the General Sani Abacha administration
Others include, Organisation of the Plateau State Tourism Development Fund lunching where he single-handedly decorated Jos Air Port and Jos Township Stadium. Also, as the National President of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, he organised the First Abuja Cultural Carnival in 1990.
Similarly, in 1991, the former ATPN President encouraged artistes to sell crafts and souvenirs at the Late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s Mausoleum in Bauchi in 1991.
Furthermore, he also discovered the Obete Waterfront Tourist site in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State and erected a reception hall for visitors at the tourist site, as well as encourage indigenes to establish fish ponds there.
Chief Amachree also advocated the use of Emir, of Kano’s palace as a tourist site which was approved by the Late Emir Ado Bayero in 1990. Also, under his distinguished leadership as the President of A.T.P.N., the father of Tourism of Nigeria led a delegation of tourism practitioners to President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to discuss the establishment of Tourism Development Bank in Nigeria in 1990, in which approval was given to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but was not executed until President Babangida left office in 1993.
In 1993, he led the private sector to organise the second Rivers State Cultural Carnival tagged RIVCARN’93 where dignitaries from different parts of the country attended.
Similarly, Chief Amachree organised the First Peace Conference in the Niger Delta as the President of the Centre for the Promotion of Peace, Tourism, Arts and Culture (CEPTAC) in Port Harcourt in 2003, in which a copy was presented to the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo through General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd).
He initiated the rediscovery of the Slave Trade Route in the Niger Delta for tourism purposes with research findings in Arochukwu, Calabar, Ikot Abasi, Umuagbai, Ndoni, Opobo, Bonny, Elem-Kalabari, Buguma, Uguta, Ogbia, Nembe, Akassa, Opokuma, Amassoma, Bende, Uzuakoli, Warri, Ogwashi-Uku, Aboh and Koko in Delta State.
Chief Amachree as a promoter of tourism and culture gave out his hotel in Buguma City free of charge to visitors and tourists that attended the Buguma City Centenary cerebration in 1984.
In addition, Chief Amachree bagged several awards of excellence some of which are Award presentation by Prof. T. J. T. Princewill, King Amachree XI, the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, for the promotion of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Nigeria, 24th March, 2012.
Award presentation by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for his achievement in tourism promotion and development in Nigeria.
It was all these numerous achievements of Chief Amachree that convinced FTAN to honour him with “The Father of Tourism of Nigeria Award”.
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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