Entertainment
Brain Drain Rocks Rivers AGN
The survival of the Rivers State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), one of the leading chapters in Nollywood is being threatened by the brain drain syndrome as most members have left the state to seek for greener pastures in other states.
The out going chairman of the guild in the state, Mr Bartholomew Gerald Aguogo who stated this in an interview with The Tide Entertainment on Tuesday lamented the negative effect of the trend, adding that it might lead to the extinction of the chapter and by extension the film industry in Rivers State.
He disclosed that one of the founding fathers of the chapter and one of the best actors in Nollywood, Dr Sam Dede is currently the highest paid actor in Asaba Delta State while the former chairperson of the guild in the state and later president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo Fibresima is also based outside the state.
According to the Rivers State AGN boss, actor and director. The state also parades other veterans in the Nollywood industry namely Columbus Irosoanga, Walter Anger, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Tonto Dike, Monalisa Chinda, Hilda Dokubo, Amb. Millisent Jack, Mauren Ihua and a host of others most of whom operate outside the state where they hold sway, while Nollywood in the state is left in the limbo.
He also identified tribalism as another virus killing Nollywood in the state. He reiterated that entertainment is a universal language which preaches unity through entertainment which is the motto of the association.
Mr Aguogo highlighted other factors militating against the growth of the guild in the state such as lack of enabling environment, poor funding and absence of government and other stakeholder’s participation in the industry. He said despite the big names the chapter has produced over the years, it is not yet Uhuru for Nollywood in Rivers State.
The outgoing chairman however, noted that despite the daunting challenges the chapter is still moving ahead with some laudable milestones recorded under his tenure. According to him, his executive has succeeded in repositioning the guild as the chapter under his watch has severally been named the best chapter since 2015 when he assumed office as the chairman of the actors body in the state.
Enumerating his achievements as the chairman of the guild since 2015, Aguogo said during his tenure, the chapter became the first to embark on capacity building of its members with the university of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) which later certified some of the members as trained actors.
The chapter also procured an 18 seater bus for the guild’s task force to assist the police and the Copy Right Commission in the state in their efforts to eliminate quacks in the industry and to curb the menace of piracy in the state.
The guild also created a platform called ‘Agents Night in 2016/2017 to address the issue of tribalism and disunity among members and to reintegrate them under one umbrella.
Other landmark achievements according to him include recognition of past leaders and members who contributed to the establishment of the industry in the state by dividing the guild into four tents namely: King Jaja tent, Ken Saro-Wiwa tenth Obi Wali tent and King Amakiri tent.
Resource persons were also invited to educate members on the essence of unity, professionalism and the importance of training and retraining of members. The chapter also entered into partnership with media houses in the state.
The Port Harcourt born actor, director and former President of Rivers State Students drama union said the chapter has come to a stage where government and other stakeholders could come in and partner with the guild to move it to the next level of development as he appealed for a state secretariat and a bus for the guild.
Aguogo commended Governor Nyesom Wike for appointing Yibo Koko as the Director General of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTADA) and described his appointment as well deserved as Yibo is one of the best actors in the state who has contributed to the growth of entertainment in the state.
Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”
Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.
Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.
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