Entertainment
Rivers State Born Entertainers On Parade
The Nigerian
Entertainment clan has come a long way with a lot of achievements to show for it. In Rivers State, the vibrant entertainment industry boasts of top stars in music, movie and comedy. These showbiz personalities have helped to boost the industry as they are regular features at shows, concerts and other social events. They are also stars to be reckoned with outside the state as a result of their exploits in their various fields of endeavour. Among the Rivers State-born movie stars include:-
Sam Dede:- This hunk actor is one of the pioneers of the make believe industry in both Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. The ‘Issakaba hero’ and lecturer of Threatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt has featured in most of the best movies in Nollywood. One of his recent movies titled ‘Grass Market’ also featured top stars such as Nobert Young and Emmanuel Okutuate which was premiered in Silverbird Cinemas Port Harcourt between February 19th and 25th this year.
Columbus Irosoanga:- This Okirika, Rivers State born top Nollywood actor and Theatre Arts lecturer at University of Port Harcourt has helped to groom up coming artistes. His acting career started in the early 80s when he featured in various soap operas with other top actors such as Comish Ekiye in Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and also took part in dramas at the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture. He is one of the showbiz personalities to contend with in the industry.
Hilda Dokubo:- The entertainment clan in Rivers State is incomplete without sultry actress Hilda Dokubo who has come a long way. From acting she became a Special Assistant to former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili. She started her movie career as a child actress and was featured in many Nollywood movies and currently runs an NGO titled Centre for Creative Education in Port Harcourt which helps to train people for job creations.
She also uses the organisation to encourage the Niger Delta youths to embrace peace rather than militancy.
Ibinabo Fiberesima:- The beautiful Nollywood super actress and former beauty queen is currently the chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Rivers State Chapter. The friendly and unassuming Ibinabo is the franchise owner of Miss Earth Nigeria and also anchors big events amongst other social activities.
Millicent Jack: She is another top practitioner in Nollywood. She is currently the vice chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Rivers State Chapter. Pretty Millicent is also the African Movie Academy (AMAA) Best custumier for 2009. She is well known in the make believe industry because of her professionalism in the industry.
Gentle Jack: His muscular physique is a reference point in Nollywood though he refused to admit that his towering height and intimidating biceps have stereotyped him. Kalabari, Rivers State born Gentle Jack has won the Abuja carnival king twice and has featured in uncountable movies. The Gentle giant also runs a body fitness equipment outfit.
Tonto Dike:- Ikwerre Rivers State born screen diva, Tonto Dike is one of the most controversial actresses in Nollywood as she is always enmeshed in one controversy or the other. Despite that, she is a favourite of most producers because of her prowess in role interpretation.
Monalisa Chinda:- This lady needs no introduction not just because she is an actress and a beautiful one indeed, but because she is been quite successful in her chosen field. However, this Glo Ambassador was recently enmeshed in a divorce matter with her erstwhile husband Segun Dejo Richards. The beautiful Ikwerre born Nollywood top actress has featured in many Nollywood movies.
The Music Industry:- Among those that hold sway in the music industry in the state are:
Duncan Mighty:- Ikwerre born Duncan Mighty is a king not only in the south-south but in Lagos, the mainstream of entertainment. He is loved for his music, style and dance steps. He performs well in any concert within and outside Port Harcourt. His latest album titled ‘Ahamefula’ is making waves in the music industry.
Lexy M :- This Ogoni, Rivers State born music sensation is the current chairman of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Rivers State Chapter.
He won the best Highlife Musical Artiste of the year 2009 at Odudu music Award. He has a new album titled ‘Eleni’ which has 12 tracks.
Peter Stonecold:- Peter Stone cold is a very popular musician in Rivers State. He won Gyration category at the Odudu Awards with his.
popular, ‘Hold Your Waste’ song. He is very good in stage performance and will soon be dropping his next album.
Sotty:- This Buguma, River State born pretty singer took the music clan by storm with her debut album titled ‘malaria. She is a very good musician and has topped the African Fusion top chart videos on NTA2 Channel 5 severally and she is doing very well in her music career.
Muma Gee:- Gift Iyumame Uwame aka Muma Gee is a prodigious artiste with a celestial knack for the genuine and the resplendent. Her emergence in the music scene in Nigeria marked a decisive turning point in an era that has witnessed a death of authentic music native to the Nigerian audience.
Her style of music shows a pristime stylistic performance pattern original to the African people and ends carrying its rhythm. Something different from the westernised musical contraption that is now common stance in the industry. No wonder she has many awards for her musical talent.
Comedy Clan
For the comedy clan we have the following stars.
Julius Agwu:- This top comedian is one of the forces to be reckoned with in the stand up comedy clan. His past was symbolised by thorny pathway. He actually started his comic business in school at Uniport, but when he later came to Lagos he lived the life of a nomad until his break through came. Today, he is a millionaire and dines with society top brass. This very busy comedian is still actively cracking ribs at the moment, but still finds time to hang out with friends, fans and well wishers. Apart from comedy, he is also into music and acting.
Tekena Iyalla:- This graduate of marketing is popularly known as chief of waterside and one of the Funky 4+1 members on Rythym 93.7 FM which airs every Friday. He is also the winner of music comedy category for his comedy titled ‘Handbag’. Tekena is a talented comedian and his dress sence is very commendable.
Dan D Humorous: Born Daniel C. Nwoka is a multitalented stand up comedian who delivers his jokes in a unique way. He had a festival of comedians recently tagged ‘Good Boy Gone Better. He is a member of the Funky 4+1 on Rhythm 93.7FM and a graduate of linguistics.
Prince Hezekiah:- The Buguma born comedian started comedy in 2001 in Port Harcourt. Good in Gospel concerts, he also anchors ‘Make Your Day’ in AIT, Laffo Roma, he is now on Ray Power 106.5 FM and anchors launch hour comedy show tagged Laugh and Jamz.
To be continued Additional reports from City People.
Nigerian megastar, Davido shares how his father recognised that his music was getting big.
Davido says his hit single ‘Dami Duro’ was the president’s ringtone
During an interview with newsmen, Davido spoke on the early days of his career and how he eventually got his father’s approval to make music.
The Grammy nominee shared the familiar story of how he left school in Atlanta and returned to Nigeria to pursue music without his father’s blessing which later led to his business mogul dad getting him arrested.
“I don’t think he did not want me to do music, he just wanted me to be successful as whatever I did because he got a blueprint for me already,” Davido said on his father’s early reaction to his decision to make music.
“He is so supportive and he checks on everything…My dad picks my album. When I am done, I send him all the tracks and my dad goes through all the records and gives me a paragraph each,” Davido narrates the personal interest and support his Dad gives him.
“My dad gave me the name Davido…The first show I did, he arrested me, the fans, the promoters,” Davido said laughing as he narrated the story of how his father got him arrested after he returned to Nigeria without his consent and had his first show as a 17-year-old. “He just wanted me to finish school,” Davido added about his father’s insistence that he get a university degree.
The three time Grammy nominee was asked when his father recognised that his music was getting big and he revealed it was when his hit song ‘Dami Duro’ was the president’s ringtone.
“When my song was the president’s ringtone,” Davido said.
While he did not mention the president or the country, Davido is likely referring to the exploit of former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan who was the head of state between 2010 – 2015.
During the interview, Davido also mentioned his plans as a businessman beyond music. He revealed he had a production house called Coco House which he describes as a media house for creatives. He also added that he intends to get into crypto.
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele has announced that her upcoming film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, a spinoff from the Jenifa franchise will premiere in December.
“Been long you saw Jenifa!!!!” Akindele said.
While a December premiere is confirmed, details on the film remain unknown. However, the new title, Everybody Loves Jenifa, suggests a potential return to the core elements that have made the franchise popular. With Akindele leading the creative team, viewers can anticipate the return of familiar characters and humorous storylines.
The sitcom, Jenifa’s Diary has been a major Nigerian television show since its debut in 2015. The series centres around the main character played by Akindele, and has featured Folarin “Falz” Falana, Lolo, Juliana Olayode, Lota Chukwu, Paschaline Alex Okoli, and late Aderounmu Adejumoke.
The Tide Entertainment reports that it has also had spin-offs and sequels like Aiyetoro Town (2019), which is set in Jenifa’s village, and Jenifa on Lockdown (2021).
Akindele played Jenifa in the first film in the franchise, Jenifa (2008), a village girl who travelled to the city in pursuit of fortune. Muhydeen S. Ayinde directed the movie.
The movie was nominated for four Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009 including, Best Original Soundtrack, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and Best Nigerian Film. For her performance in this movie, Akindele took home the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
The convener, South South Media Week, Tammmy Halliday has attributed the lack of unity and collaboration in the PortHarcourt entertainment industry to sentiments, baggages and trust issues.
He made this known yesterday, during an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to him, some things that spur baggages are family background, personal experience with colleagues or other people, saying that when someone has been reaped or used by any of his colleagues or someone else, he might not want to work with some other persons because of trust issue.
This goes along with baggages, where he now sees his other colleagues as one and same with the one who used him and so this continues to hinder collaborations in the industry.
He advised that as an entertainer you should get better, visible and exposed as the industry required.
He said that the key factor that can help collaboration is growth, explaining that growth would make entertainers live beyond baggages, adding that if you are good at what you do, and know what you want and where you are going with it , then you are good to go.
“You can seek an advice from a legal practitioner, professional or a senior colleagues to ensure that you (entertainer) get it right.
It is not a bad idea to serve or work with someone, because you serve to rise in the industry. You have to be well rooted, but, you should be able to know want you want and where you are going with what you do, this will help you move on, when it is no longer working for you, otherwise, you will remain there and keep complaining and then it gets to that point where you begin to see that person as a reaper,” he said.
Mr Halliday who also do corporate social responsibility award via his platform, South South Media Week stated that critical communication is important in any situation, with a critical approach, no doubt you will always be on the right track.
Speaking on criteria for awarding awards, he maintained that it is on numbers, affiliations, fanbase, followership, association and sales of the person or organisation in question, saying that these also works for collaboration with an artiste, because they are factors that facilitate growth in the industry.
Categories of award that are awarded through the platform includes, entrepreneur award of the year, innovation award of the year and others.
Nancy Briggs
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