Entertainment
Entertainment World Remembers Jackson … As Reactions Trail One Year Anniversary
The entertainment industry and fans of Micheal Jackson all over the world, yesterday observed the one year anniversary of the late King of pop music who died on June 25th 2009 at the age of 50 years as a result of drug overdose administered to him by his personal physician.
In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the day was marked with mixed feelings. While some of the fans considered it as a life well spent considering his laudable achievements on Earth and celebrated the day with music, dance and total fun at some entertainment hangouts in the city, others feel his death was untimely and a big loss to the entertainment world , stressing that he did not reap fully the fruits of his hard labour before his life was cut short.
In his reaction, Rivers State born music sensation and entertainer, Mr Emmanuel Amakiri Popularly known as Oba Omega said it is not life that matters or how long you lived on Earth, but what you are able to achieve in life for which you will be remembered for by humanity long after you are gone.
He maintained that the death of Micheal Jackson will continue to remain a big loss to the entertainment industry because the late legend of pop music revolutionized the entertainment world and gave musicians a pride of place globally.
Oba Omega the current toast of the music industry in the state whose music and video titled ‘identify’ is making waves in the music scene across the country and beyond said Jackson’s songs and popular dance steps (Moonwalk) ruled the music world and dance floor in the 70s and 80s and is currently in vogue among the young stars and old school, while his dress code is copied by young entertainers who see him as their role model and a source of great inspiration even in death.
Another fan of the pop idol, Mr. Onyeka Orluwene, A Port Harcourt based show biz personality and seasoned accountant noted that though Michael Jackson is dead, he literally lives in the minds of his fans. He said Micheal came into the entertainment industry at a tender age, saw it and conquered. He contended that the industry will not be the same again without him because he introduced hard work style, glamour and success to the industry while most of his wealth went to charity because of his love for humanity and the less priviledged.
Apart from these reactions, Jackson’s music dominated the air in most Radio and Television stations in the state to mark the historic day.
Micheal Jackson was born in 1958 in Garg, Indiana, United States of America (USA), into a family made up of great musicians and he grew up to become a very popular singer, dancer and song writer. Though all his life he has been enmeshed in many controversies, he has always had a way of rising above them and soaring high.
At the age of five, Micheal joined his brothers’ singing group then known as the ‘Jackson Five’ and later renamed. The ‘Jacksons’. Micheals dancing ability as well as his singing skills made him the groups leader at a very tender age. Under Berry Gordy’s sponsorship, the group became popular on record (on the Motown label), in personal appearances and on Television.` Jackson’s First Solo album ‘Got to Be There’ released in 1971, established him as a solo performer. Leaving the family group, he played the ‘Scare crow’ in the musical film The Wiz (1978) and recorded the album ‘Off the wall’ in 1976 which included a number of his own songs. His album ‘Thriller’ recorded in 1982 earned a then unprecedented eight Grammy Awards. His dancing style, slight physical appearance and whimsical mode of dressing, with a trade mark of a single rhinestone-covered white glove, became well known.
Jackson rejoined his brothers on a six month tour after the release of their album ‘Victory’ in 1984. He co-wrote (with Lionel Richie) the song “We are the world” in 1985 which was performed by a group more than 40 popular musicians with all profits from audio and video donated to alleviate world hunger. Subsequently, Jackson’s album ‘Bad’ (1987) and the title single as well as the video of the song became best sellers as did his album ‘Dangerous’ (1992) and the single ‘Remember the Time (1992).
His autobiography, Moonwalk, was published in 1988. In 1995 he released another chart topping album, ‘History’ and the following year, he won a Grammy Award for the music video ‘Scream’ (1995) which he created with his sister Janet. Also in 1996 Jackson divorced Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Late Elvis Presley ending a two year marriage.
Jackson celebrated his 30th anniversary as a solo performer in 2001 by reuniting for a series of concerts with his brothers as the Jackson Five. Later in the year, he released ‘Invincible’ his first major album, released in six years. That same year, he was inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’.
Continued Controversy over Jackson’s private life caught the headlines in 2002 and again in 2003 in November of that year, he was arrested, charged with alleged child molestation to which he later pleaded not guilty. When the world got wind of the child molestation law suit that had the irrepressible Johnny Cochran (who had squeezed O.J. Simpson and Snoop Dog out of the jaws of murder charges) advising Jackson to settle out of court, mike reportedly paid $20m to settle the case and his innocence became doubtful.
His whitening skin, crumbling faces, failed arrangee marriage to Lisa Marie-Presley, allegations that his kids from Debbie Road, his nurse/wife were conceived through artificial insemination and perhaps the worst, his lack of racial identify have all contributed in so small measure to the fall of one of the greatest entertainers to ever set foot in this planet, meanwhile as an organizer of two major fan groups is just one of thousands of supporters keeping Jackson’s legacy alive along with the pursuit of justice for his untimely death a year ago this Friday.
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.
Popular Nigerian comedienne, Tomama has revealed how she waited for Afrobeats superstar, Wizkid outside the bathroom.
She shared this while recounting her encounter with the singer at a recent event with heavy security.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Tomama explained that she waited by the bathroom in an attempt to have a one-on-one conversation with Wizkid.
She stated that she positioned herself near the restroom, hoping Wizkid would eventually use it, giving her the perfect opportunity to speak with him.
“Wizkid, I saw you, and I waited for you to pee, but you didn’t even stand up from where you were sitting. You just stayed there. All your crew members standing around got up to go pee. I was standing by the bathroom, waiting for you to come pee so that you would notice me,” she said.
Content creator and actor, Mr Macaroni has opened up about his financial struggles, saying he was both a victim of a scam and a failed investment in 2021.
He revealed that after losing all his savings, he resorted to borrowing to settle pending commitments and slipped into N500 million in debt.
He admitted that he is financially reckless and generous, impacting his financial stability negatively.
In lengthy post shared via his X handle yesterday, Mr Macaroni wrote, “Sometime around 2020/2022, I was a victim of a scam and simultaneously a failed investment that cost me all I had saved at the time. It shook me deeply but I told no one about it. If you know me well enough, you would know I do not like to share my problems. I could be going through the worst and at the same time helping others solve their own problems but I just would never share mine.”
“After I lost all the money I had then, Trouble started when I had to borrow money from different sources to settle all pending commitments and also fulfill certain responsibilities I have always believed were mine to fulfill. I make money in millions so I never thought borrowing money to pay back with interest could ever be a problem. But I got too comfortable and it took me a long time to realise that I was using the money I was earning to pay back interests. Also, my financial recklessness did not help. Please don’t borrow money! But if you must, please be responsible.”
The actor stated that 2024 marked a pivotal moment in his acting career but it was also the most challenging year for him as he faced over half a billion naira in debt.
Mr Macaroni revealed that his frustration grew worse after he was betrayed by someone he considered “a friend and sister.”
He added that with the support of family and friends who stood by him during his trying times, he now “feels better than I have felt in the last three years!”
The comedian stated that he decided to finally share his story to encourage others who are going through challenges.