Entertainment
Port Harcourt Hosts Movie World … As ION International Film Festival Debuts in Africa
The oil rich city of Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital has recorded another milestone in her efforts towards the development of the Entertainment industry in Nigeria as she hosts the third Edition of the ION International Film festival which is coming to Africa for the first time.
Addressing the large crowed of movie practitioners, international show biz promoters and the entertainment world that gathered at the premises of Polo Club Port Harcourt on Thursday for the opening ceremony, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Marcus Nle Ejii said the state is proud to be the first in Africa to host the international festival.
He said the event has given the state the opportunity to not only show case her potentials, but to prove to the world that Rivers State is the home of Entertainment, a peaceful State of hospitable and accommodating people. He commended the organisers of the festival for choosing the state as their first port of call in Africa.
The commissioner assured the guests of their security and protection through out their stay in Rivers State, stressing that the era of militancy in the Niger Delta is over and the State is one of the most peaceful and investor friendly states in the country.
In an interview with The Weekend Tide Entertainment, creative Director of MCOMM, Organisers of the ION International Film Festival said,” The experience has been wonderful and amazing, I have been wanting the world to come to Port Harcourt to witness the talents in the Nigerian movie industry, we want the world to see for themselves the energy of the Niger Delta.”
She noted that Nollywood has an ample opportunity to network with the film makers all over the world from Hollywood, Bollywood, the Europen film industry and everyone in the theatre all over the world, she stressed that the International film festival is a wonderful opportunity for the film industry in Nigeria to move forward.
Mrs Borlolussi stated that Nollywood is already moving forward and urged the practitioners to believe in themselves because they have an amazing talent and they are a force to reckon with no matter the blunders made at the beginning. According to her, “ION festival will make Nollywood add value to what is already on the ground and we must continue to patronise our own, with that, sky will not be our limit but our beginning.”
According to one of the organisers of the event Mr. Akonte Ekine, Chief Executive officer (CEO) and lead strategist of Absolute PR, “The idea of the Ion festival is to interact with global partners, exchange ideas and Technology, brainstorm, know the things we have not done well and borrow from those who have done well because it is an intellectual thing.”
He commended the Nigerian Film Industry for their achievements so far, stressing that everything in life is in stages and one of the stages is learning how people ahead of you are doing. He stressed that the Rivers State government has tried to bring the festival to us to improve on our standards, it is left for people participating in the industry to take advantage of the opportunity.
Mr. Ekine disclosed that over 84 films have been chosen for the event out of which 32 are Nigerian Films which shows that we have got talent and content in Nollywood, therefore the practitioners should be given a pat on the back as to aspire to greater glory.
Entertainment
Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye
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.”
Entertainment
Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding
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.
Entertainment
I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma
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.
-
Opinion2 days ago
Ancestorial Worship: My Take (1)
-
News2 days agoFG Must Address Nigerians’ Concerns On Reforms -Shettima …Warns Against Misuse of AI, Social Media
-
Featured2 days agoTinubu Jets To S’Arabia For Lesser Hajj …Unveils Free Healthcare For Pensioners
-
News2 days ago
Lawmaker Sets Sights On Assembly Return …As Mammoth Crowd Grace Flag Handover Rally
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Police Rescue Woman, 24, From Online Dating Kidnappers … Arrest Five Suspects
-
Politics2 days ago
My Administration’ll End Political Acrimony In Rivers – Chinda
-
News2 days ago
FG Approves King Amachree Airport In Rivers, Sets Conditions For Construction
-
Featured2 days ago2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers
