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.