Entertainment
Culture Can Unite Nigeria, Says Soyinka
Nobel Laureate and Cultural Ambassador, Professor Wole Soyinka has urged Nigerians to explore the rich cultural values of the nation to strengthen her unity.
Professor Soyinka who spoke on the topic, “Reminiscing the Past, Consolidating the Future,” at the colloquium organised by the Rivers State Government as part of activities for the on-going Port Harcourt CARNIRIV said that culture symbolises unity, while at the same time providing an avenue for inspiration.
He contended that past efforts by some African intelligentsia to revive the continent’s culture were stultified by the rise of despots across the continent.
Such despots including the late Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo amongst others, according to him, elected themselves to the status of goddesses who were worshipped by their people.
He, however, said that some politicians in Africa including Nigeria are now blazing the trail through the revival of the continent’s rich cultural heritage.
Professor Soyinka also condemned the activities of some past Nigerian leaders to import into the country foreign culture in the name of bilateral relations and warned against a mixture of culture and politics.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Nabbs Imegwu said that the introduction of colloquium into the CARNIRIV was to further improve the event.
Dr Imegwu said that the CARNIRIV has undergone series of transformation to a multi brand package that meet international standard.
He said that the good people of Rivers State are celebrating an administration that has impacted so much on the people.
The colloquium was declared open by the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
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