Entertainment
Lexy M Rates Rivers Entertainment Industry Above Average
Frontline music Maestro and
Showbiz personality in Rivers State, Mr. Lexy Mueka popularly called Lexy M has rated the entertainment industry in Rivers State above average in terms of performance and creativity.
The Ogoni, Rivers State-born musician and producer, said the state is well-blessed with all categories of entertainers as well as peaceful and enabling environment which have turned the state capital, Port Harcourt to one of the most viable cities in the country both in entertainment and other business opportunities.
The former chairman of the performing musicians Employees Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in the State, however noted that most of the foremost entertainers who brought glory and respect to the state through their escapades in the industry were not cerebrated by the state as a mark of honour and respect.
According to him people like Late Cardinal Rex Lawson, Prince David Bull Jackwest Omodu of Garden city band, Boma Erekosima and Living Legend, King Sunny Brown Etc, have not been remembered in the last five years. He stressed that these Icons of the industry need to be remembered and celebrated annually.
He noted that music is part of show business, in Lagos, Onitsha, Aba Etc musicians there see every thing about music as business, but their colleagues here in Port Harcourt see it as fun and this attitude is not helping them to grow to stardom and recognition, so they need to repackage themselves to national and international standards.
He emphasized that another militating factor against the growth of musicians in the state is lack of encouragement, recognition and sponsorship, because our people do not believe in the indigenous musicians, they rather prefer outsiders, he also complained about lack of viable market in the state where musicians could record and sell their works that is why most of them go to Lagos and other neighbouring cities and refused to come back.
He however, contended that despite these set backs all genres of music live here in the state, while most of the artistes making waves in the countrymusic clan today all have their roots in Rivers State, such as Duncan Mighty, Daniel Wilson, Flavour, Burna Boy, Gift of Aboki Shine My Shoe fame, Oba Omega, Rymzo Etc.
On the comedy profession in the state, the Showbiz Maestro said “most of the people who parade themselves as comedians are nothing but jesters”. He maintained that comedy to him is humour mongering to make people laugh and relax not to insult organizers of the event and their guests.
He observed that during the days of Iyobu Koko, Boma Erekosima, Micheal Obodo Singer Etc, comedy was all about laughter, fun and relaxation, but these days, comedians turn their employers and guests to dummies to be laughed at even after paying heavily for their services.
According to him, these anomalies exist because there are no checks and balances in the profession and “they donot even have an association to check their excesses. He however expressed hope that genuine comedians with the talent and exposure will soon sort out themselves to prove to the world that comedy is not an all comers game.
For the movie industry, he said Rivers State is not playing the second fiddle as most of the actors and actresses from the state who have found themselves in the mainstream are playing leading roles in the make believe industry in Nigeria, called Nollywood.
He reiterated that there is hardly any movie jacket in the market without the faces of the Rivers State born thespians such as Sam Dede, Columbus Irisoanga, Walter Anger, Gentle Jack, Alaso Wariboko, Monalisa Chinda, Hilda Dokubo, Tonto Dike, Maureen Ihua, Milliscent Jack Etc.
LexyM who is also into movie production confirmed that there are good script writers with interesting story lines in Rivers State, but they lack the finances to develop the scripts or shoot the movie, so most of them sell the scripts to producers and marketers.
Beauty pageants is another aspect of the entertainment clan the seasoned musician rated highly. He said with the various international beauty events hosted by the state, it is obvious that Rivers State occupies an envirous position in the world. Apart from hosting Two Editions of ECOWA beauty pageant and several others, Rivers State born Agbani Derego was crowned the first ever black African Miss World, which brought international recognition to not only Rivers State but to Nigeria as a country.
He observed that many people misunderstand beauty pageants and attach negative opinions to it with diverse cultural values which is affecting most of the young girls who may want to become models and queens, he noted that beauty pageants are all about beauty and brains, fashion and modeling so parents should encourage their beautiful daughters to participate and bring honour to the state.
LexyM however condemned the fake pageant organizers who are out to dupe the public and the contestants. He said most of them choose the girls with very rich back ground or social contacts in high places as winners.
Most times the wishes of the audience do not count as the handpicked judges are there to do the bidding of the organizers. Others promise mouth watering prizes and big contracts for the winners only to disappoint them at the end.
He said these are the people killing beauty pageants in the state. He therefore called on the state government to investigate the activities of these organizations to fish out the fraudsters, and sanitise the industry.
He lauded the State government for reviving and showcasing the state’s indigenous cultural heritage through CARNIRIV. According to him the event has brought Tourists and international organizations from all over the world to the state.
Entertainment
Nigeria’s Box Office Generates N278m In February
The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on Tuesday said it realised N278 million as ticket sales across cinemas in the month of February, nationwide.
CEAN’s National Chairman, Mr Ope Ajayi, who, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, added that the cinemas also had 122,295 gross admission within the period under review.
Cinemas experienced a drastic decline in sales in February when compared with N819 million sales made in January.
Ajayi blamed the cash crunch and poor network service delivery being experienced by POS operators nationwide for the decline in sales.
He similarly noted that cinemas experienced an all time lull in the week of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
He explained further that cinemas had limited content to exhibit in the month of February, as movie producers avoided releasing movies during the election period.
“A couple of reasons are responsible for the drop in sales. We lost a weekend of sales during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, Nigerians’ attention was focused on voting across the country.
“Cash crunch and POS failures, affecting trading generally is also affecting the cinemas.
“Many movie producers and distributors avoided releasing movies during the election period. So, content was also somewhat limited,” he said.
Ajayi said the top films exhibited in cinemas across the country in February were “Antman” and “Love in a Pandemic”.
He listed films to watch out for in the month of March as : “Creed III”, “What Love Got To Do With It”, “Shazam Fury of the gods”, “John Wick iv”, “Different Strokes” and “Dungeons and Dragons83”.
Entertainment
Nollywood Actress Urges Ladies To Desist From Dating Married Men
Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, has urged ladies to desist from dating married men, saying leaving a quality life of being responsible with good moral virtues is the best life.
The renowned movie star, who took to her Instagram page to give the advice, said that ladies should not make the same mistake she made by dating someone else’s husband.
According to her, being a side chick to married men is morally wrong, but staying away from people’s husband’s is a moral upright living.
She stressed that she did not want them to experience what she went through, therefore, relationship with married men should be avoided.
She expressed gratitude to fans and well wishers, for their constant prayers, love and encouragement, adding that they should live a life they would be proud of.
The actress added that having a side business was far better than being a side chick, and urged them to leave people’s husbands alone.
“Live a life you would be proud of.
“Thank you all for all the prayers and encouragement and love .
“I am on a new parth to a new life; strive to be new and stay safe and morally upright.
“No do side chick o…see u soon. Find a side business and leave people’s husband.
“ Don’t make the mistake I made…The idea is to be morally right, “ she wrote.
Abubakar is a model, actress, television personality, philanthropist and multiple award-winning member of the Nollywood industry.
She rose to fame after the release of her debut film ‘Sabotage’ In 2011. She won the Afro Hollywood Best Actress prize.
The actress started auditioning for movie roles in 2001. After some time, she was given her first acting gig, a small part in the movie ‘Rejected’
It was, however, a small role that enabled her to land her first important role and ultimately her breakthrough in the movie ‘Gangster Paradise.’
The movie star has acted in more than a 100 movies. some of which are: ‘Slip of Fate’, ‘Tears of a Child’, ‘Secret Shadows’, ‘Gangster Paradise’, ‘Area Mama’, ‘Men in Love’, ‘Love Castle’, ‘Okafor’s Law’, among others.
She is also a movie producer and runs Morehouse Entertainment, a label and talent management business in the music industry.
The Kano-born actress established the Halima Abubakar Foundation, an NGO that aids the poor.
The actress has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the entertainment industry, thereby making her outstanding.
Entertainment
UEFA Champions League Final : Burna Boy Set To Perform
Nigerian megastar, Burna Boy, has been announced as one of the headliners who will be performing at the 2023 UEFA Champions League final.
UEFA has revealed Burna Boy as one of the performers at the 2023 Champions League Final. The announcement was made via the Champions League official Twitter handle on Thursday, 16th March 2023.
Music Burna Boy, Tems, Patoranking, Shatta Wale nominated for International Reggae & World Music Awards 2023
In the video posted on Twitter, a delighted Burna Boy revealed that he will be performing at the Champions League final billed for Istanbul, Turkey.
In what is a remarkable feat, Burna Boy will become the first Nigerian artiste to perform on the biggest stage of European Club football.
Since gaining international success in 2018 through his hit single ‘YE,’ Burna Boy has become one of the biggest artistes in the world. He has earned a Grammy award for his album ‘Twice As Tall’ while becoming one of the most awarded artistes on the continent.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Burna Boy has sold out choice arenas around the world as his music continues to attract international listeners.
American DJ, artiste, and Producer, Marshmallow, performed at the 2021 Champions League final in Portugal while Cuban Pop star, Camila Cabello, performed at the 2022 edition in Paris.
The 2023 Champions League Final will take place on 10th June 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey and Afrobeats will share the stage as two of the finest clubs in Europe compete for the biggest price.
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