Entertainment
Mona Dance School Showcases Talents At Star Night
Last Sunday, August 24th
2014 was not only historic, but memorable for lovers of good music and choreography as Mona Dance School, Port Harcourt held the 7th edition of her annual star night amidst glitz and glamour at the prestigious auditorium of the Arena, No 30 Tombia Street, Port Harcourt.
The large audience who attended the event from all works of life were thrilled by the raw talent and mesmerising dance steps of the trained dancers and their exciting and educative drama displays that left the audience spell bound as well as captivating music that blended with the dancers and created the right mood for the night.
The star studded event started at about 5.15pm with an opening prayer by Everest Okonkwo, followed by the introduction of the instructors, the creative minds behind the artistic creation, Jazz Line dance titled “When Jesus says yes…. “by Destiny’s child performed by Holiday socials students and “my first Ballet and Adagio” expressing the different basic movements in Ballet in tune to music using the body, space, different levels, direction and formation.
Other events of the night included in between” which talked of joining hands together in aiding positive growth of our children, “First Game,” which is a Hip Hop rap beat, “Suffering and smiling” which teaches that irrespective of whatever situation we many find ourselves, the smiles on our faces give us the strength to hope for a better day, and “thanksgiving” which teaches that even when we derail from his path in the bid to scarch for quicker solution and fail to find them, God’s grace is always available. There was also ‘Agbeko’, the migration dance of Ghana featuring music and life drums performed by Mona Dance School Instructors and DWM. “Watch me Dance” which is the joy of learning to dance by all ages performed by parents of Holiday socials students, ‘Apeja’ (Fisher Men Dance) exhibiting the rich occupational culture of the people of Lagos state and “the experiences”, Music is broken heels by Alexandra Burks.
The high point of the night is “influence” the theme of the star night which show cased heroes, leaders and remarkable people who have fought against human/ social injustice, poverty, oppression and supported Christian movements with a sence of purpose and integrity, men and women who still speak long after they are gone some of them include the following, Mahatma Ghandi (1869-1948), Martin Luther King Jnr (1929-1968), Mother Theresa (1910-1992) Bishop Ajayi Crowder (1809-1890) and Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) (46664). Speaking with The Tide Entertainment shortly after the events, the Airtistic Director, Mona Dance school Port Harcourt, Mrs Eloi Etomi said, “I feel fulfileld because we are starting with people who want to fulfil their world, we should have different mindsets not to be waiting for our leaders to infulence the soceity we live in.” She noted that we could start it our selves in our little ways wherever we find ourselves so taht the society will be better for all of us to live in. She disclosed that Mona Dance School started in April 2008 and that the star night is an annual event with different themes. According to her this year’s theme has been most fulfilling becasue of its message. She however assured that next year will be better.
One of the guests at the event, Pastor Melvis Odobo noted that the nights event was wonderful and the theme very apt and essential in the sence that the mesasge they passed across to the audience was what the country needed right now considering the personalities who passed through the society and used their and life to influence the society positively.
He stressed that the Mona Dance school is relevant to the society because dance is an art and we should channel the energy of our young ones in that direction as it will help to develop them in body and soul.
A choreographer with the school, Mr Akuro Godwill Bubbo and American based instructor and dancer Miss Angel Eieyae gave kudos to the students for their wonderful performance.
Dancers performing at Mona’s Star Night PH
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.