Entertainment
Showbiz In PH: Then, Now
Port Harcourt, the capi
tal city of oil rich Rivers State is globally known as the city of entertainment and hospitality. The industry over the years had been growing in leaps and bounds and has remained a home away from home to many tourists and fun lovers over the years.
Recently, some old boys of the city spoke with nostelgia on the good old days of the city they used to know. According to Mr Lumumba Wedeh of the Criminal Investigation Department of The Nigerian Police Force (CID), in the good old days between 1970 and the 80s, Port Harcourt was regarded as a haven for unadulterated fun, enjoyment and relaxation for people from all walks of life who stormed the city every weekend to catch fun.
There were joints, hotels and hangouts that provided entertainment under a conducive environment, comfort of their customers were their target. Such places included: Aquarius Night Club by Rumuola junction axis, King and Kings Rumuola, Blue Pellican, an annex of Hotel Presidential, Hotel Presidential, Aba road and GRA bus stops, Kampala at Mile 1, Okija and Education bus stops as well as the notorious Gambia Street by Mile One controlled by the ‘Alhajis’ with Hausa mentality, the girls always went for them without reservation.
Other popular joints included Progress Hotel Rumuomasi, Lido Night Club, Club 67 Aggrey road, Ambassador Hotel Aggrey road, Milliki Night Club at Old Port Harcourt Township, Rageant Hotel Borokiri Orupolo Night Club Borokiri, Trek at Sangana, Mile 1 Diobu Port Harcourt, Salt and Pepper, Fields I to 4, Old Port Harcourt township, Mini Lodge Harbour road, Annon Lodge Rumukalagbor, Manatee Hotel and Land of Canaan among numerous others, while the Government hotels that equally provided good entertainment include Hotel Presidential, Olympia Hotel and Catering Guest House Harley Street Port Harcourt. He disclosed that in those days there were no strip dancers because it jeopardized their business.
Mr Wedeh noted that the music those days were basically Reggae PoP, RnB and Highlife while the popular musicians were Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Ras Kimono, UB40 and Highlife musicians such as the legendary Rex Lawson and Jack West Omodu of the Garden City Band, King Sunny Brown and others.
According to him, the music of those days made sence and people reflected on their lyrics, but the music of today is nothing to write home about, because it is total Gibberish, sex and love. It only promotes immorality in the society. He stressed that the current style of music is disgusting and should not be encouraged because it showcases irresponsibility.
He said apart from the clubs and hotels there was the cinema culture where people go to relax after a hard day’s job and the cinemas in vogue then included Empress Cinema at Okija, Hotel Presidential, Rivoli at Station road, Central Cinema at Ibadan Street Old Port Harcourt township and Plaza by Creek road market.
He revealed that in those days you pay only N50.00 to watch a film of your interest such as Indian films, Chinese films or Western films, but it was very difficult to raise N50.00 then. According to him, with just N200.00 you are on top of the world and you could catch fun with your girl for whole night.
Mr Lumumba Wedeh noted that in those days, you could trek with your girl from Rumuola or Town to Diobu without molestation even your co-tenants would open the gate for you without hesitation and welcome you as “Abali Agba Aka” (night do not go empty. But today it is no longer at ease with night life, the good old days are gone forever.
Also speaking, another old school and Port Harcourt big boy, Barr Micah Emmanuel stressed that Port Harcourt night life as it is today is full of insecurity, violence and kidnapping compared to the ‘70s and 80s.
He reiterated that clubbing and night life in those days were peaceful and devoid of violence, even without money you could catch fun, but today the reverse is the case as violence, threats and killings have become the order of the day.
He stressed that government should help to checkmate the ugly situation, engage the youths meaningfully because the idle mind is the devil’s workshop. The girls should also be discouraged from prostitution and other immoral behaviours. According to him, the wanton desire to get rich overnight drives them to engage in despicable acts that are alien to us as Africans.
The legal practitioner noted that he is not against clubbing activities because it helps to reduce tension gives you opportunity to make new friends and business partners, but it should not be taken to the extreme, moderation should be the watch word.
The Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria ( PMAN) Rivers State
Chapter, PHALGA Unit is expected to hold the annual festive entertainment event tagged ‘Town Carnival’ today, in Port Harcourt.
The event would be used to honour the late coordinator of the unit, Comrade Vinning Simeon Ileberi popularly called (Vinta 60).
This was made available to the Tide Entertainment Yesterday by the coordinator PMAN PHALGA Unit, Comrade Tamunoiduabia Okosimiema, popularly known as (Jesus Wonder Boy)
According to him, the event which usually last for five days within the first week of every December at the Caniriv stand located at Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt Township would be held for a day this year.
” This year’s carnival is organized in remembrance of our late Comrade Ileberi who is also the brain behind the Port Harcourt Town carnival,” he said.
Meanwhile Entertainers expected to perform live at the event include Canadian Twins, K-Classy, Mc FM Boy, P-Music, Marksiobi, Dawix, Glor’ys Flow, Mc Akunamatata, Mc MP2 , and Mc Oliver Da polos
Nancy Briggs
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.
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.
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