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Top Nigerian Entertainers Count Losses As COVID -19 Rages

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Top Nigerian Entertainers are counting their noses as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt activities lined up for the first quarter of the year as the industry continues to record low revenue.
From music to movie and comedy, the entire entertainment sector is quietly accepting their fate with the raging coronavirus. Already Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre and the base of entertainment has been on lockdown for two weeks. The lockdown is to enable government and health agencies to battle the spread of the raging virus.
Award winning singer, D’Banj took to his twitter handle to express his concerns over the effect of coronavirus on the music industry. According to him, he is worried about the creative industry and the huge blow the spread of the virus has dealt it.
“I’m a bit concerned about how the creative industry is going to cover up the losses brought up by the lack of shows and physical performance: “I love the challenges circulating in the internet, it reminds us who we are, what we are, what we have and what we can do, with this whole pandemic going on”, he said.
D’banj’s reactions is coming weeks after Afro Pop Star, Davido was forced to cancel his North American Music Tour, “A Good Time Tour”. I am saddened to halt what has been a fantastic sold out tour so far, but postponing it is the right thing to do”, he announced via instagram.
Following the cancellation of the tour, the singer had lamented that COVID-19 is biting hard at his fortunes and he is beginning to spend funds meant for savings. The singer who seems to be the most affected had his fiancée Chioma testing positive for the virus.
Also, Afrobeat Star Femi Kuti announced the cancellation of his European spring tour. According to him, the cancellation was due to the global pandemic . “Due to the prevailing circumstances, our spring European tour has been called off, our thoughts are with every one, stay safe” he announced.
Kuti had not only cancelled his European tour, but also stopped weekly musical gigs at the new Africa shrine.
“The management of the new Africa Shrine has decided to cancel all musical activities this weekend as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation”, he said.
Over 10 Nollywood flicks scheduled for release in April 2020 have been suspended due to the raging pandemic. Toyin Abraham whose film, “Fate of Alakada” scheduled for an April release expressed sadness, but maintained that the safety of the general public and fans remains paramount to her.
Meanwhile, the box office numbers from Cumscore and published by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria has witnessed a major decline following the lockdown which has prevented cinema outfits from operating in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. The numbers had drastically declined films currently in cinemas which are no longer enjoying viewership from the audience.
One of the biggest comedy shows in the country ‘AY Live’ scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 12, was suspended. The man at the helm of affairs Ayo Makun popularly known as AY said the decision to postpone AY Live is inevitable as we strive to do our quota by stopping the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging social distancing.
Similarly, popular comedian, ‘190 die’ has cancelled his upcoming show aimed at celebrating his 25th anniversary on stage, while Gbenga Adeyinka first cancelled his 10th edition of Laffmattazz show in Ibadan to curb the spread of the virus.
“In the same vein ID Africa, organizers of the Nigeria Entertainment Conference (NECLIVE) announced the postponement of the 8th edition of the annual conference originally scheduled to hold in April,” ID Africa said.
“The recent outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID -19) is challenging the world including Nigeria with several new cases detected over the past weeks.
“As a responsible organsation we believe this decision is in the best interest of every one, we are thankful to our partners, sponsores, exhibitors and media friends who through the years make necessary preparations to support NECLive in various ways.
“For now the NECLive organizing committee will continue to monitor national and global developments on COVID -19 and work on our plans remotely, whilst reducing or completely avoiding all non essential physical meetings or gatherings. A new date for the conference Teni be announced in due time”.
Other entertainers who have been forced to cancel their events include: Wizkid, Teni, Asa, Seun Kuti, Neophlames amongst others.

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World Music Day: Alliance Française Port Harcourt Showcases Talents

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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.

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PMAN Set To Implement Performance Levy  ‘Tomorrow

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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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“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French

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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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