Entertainment
Remembering Oliver De Coque:The Highlife Meastro
It is three years now since Oliver De Coque, the artiste who introduced flamboyance and showmanship to highlife, died. By his exit, the scene did not only miss his colourful stage presence, it also lost perhaps the last gasp of the guitar highlife movement, which he crusaded with great commitment and formidable force.
He was a product of the agitated guitar highlife tradition set by Prince Nico Mbarga of the Rocafil Jazz on the one hand, and the typical Igbo guitar highlife of the Oriental Brothers and the Ikenga Super Stars on the other. He started by playing strict Congolese-oriented highlife, but found his direction in 1979 with perhaps his greatest hit, Peoples Club of Nigeria, which sold considerab1y. But it was with Funny Identity in 1981 that he gained national recognition.
Evidence of the song’s popularity and acceptance were established at the time by concrete sales figures, which came out of a scientific research by Research and Marketing Services, a top research company headed at the time by Mr. Tejumola. Collated results relied on questionnaires, which his staff took to the field. The area of coverage at the time was Lagos, where his men stood at designated shops – small, medium and large – to ask pertinent questions from prospective buyers of records. The early ’80s was a big boom for the Nigerian music industry.
The questionnaires attempted to capture an expansive field of enquiry, which included age, religion, sex among other details. The collated results were broadcast by the then Radio Nigeria 2 on the Top 10, a hit parade created by veteran broadcaster, Ikenna Nduaguba who was then the station’s Director of Programmes.
Funny Identity entered the chart at number one to compete with entries from Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade – the two powerful icons, who often dominated the chart. It moved to number two the next month and number four the third month to give way to new entries.
However, it reflected in the charts all through the existence of this hit parade even though it slid below the number 10 slot.
With reissue, Funny Identity is still selling till today as an evergreen. A pointer to this fact was engendered by a phenomenon where the song along with such evergreens as Ebenezer Obey’s Board Members reflected in the unofficial Top 20 that was kept for marketing purposes on the advice of Mr. Akinyemi, who was then the Managing Director of EMI Records. The late Ahanite was a great composer and a prolific songwriter.
He had many other hit albums, even though dominated by praise singing, among them Ugbana, Papa and Mama, Udoka Social Club, Destiny, Ana Enwe Obodo en we, Nunukwu Mmanwu, Bili Kanu
The guitar highlife movement took over from the big band, conventional type with homsaround 1972 with the arrival on the scene of the Oriental Brothers. The different factions of the Oriental Brothers led by Warrior, Kabaka and Dan Satch Okpara tried to establish this trend as a popular vehicle. But it was the likes of Oliver De Coque who introduced the element of group-vocal harmony singing to put a final polish on its evolution as a big band vehicle.
A highly committed artiste, he was always willing to perform in live settings; and garnered a lot of well deserved honours, including the long contribution award bestowed on him by the organizers of the Nigerian Music Awards held in Owerri, Imo State capital, the year he died.
An artiste with a clear vision, he was well groomed for the profession and knew exactly how to take his career to the top. Said he: “I can call myself a naturally talented musician; nothing inspires a talented musician. It is just like a born scientist who does not fall short of ideas in his brain. What he thinks about always is how to invent something and a born musician too thinks of how to create music. He does not think of money because when he creates, the money will surely come.
Benson Idonijo
Entertainment
“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law
In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)
The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.

The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.
The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.

Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.
The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.
While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.
According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.
Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.
“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.
Entertainment
World Music Day: Alliance Française Port Harcourt Showcases Talents
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.
Entertainment
PMAN Set To Implement Performance Levy ‘Tomorrow
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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