Entertainment
Reminiscence Of Nigerian Highlife Kings .The Crave For Their Songs
Koredo
These are songs that bring
back that longing sense of nostalgia that makes you crave for a Nigeria before the Civil War. Thanks to these kings of highlife music even the young generation can listen to it and are on the music playlists of a lot of Nigerian weddings home and abroad.
Highlife is life! Meet our African Kings of highlife music. Enjoy!
10. Celestine Ukwu
Celestine Obiakor was born in 1940, Efik, Onitisha, Nigeria. Celestine was a hit back then and was on the verge of a national breakthrough when the Nigerian Civil War brought touring and recording to a grinding halt. He re-emerged in 1970 with Philosopher’s stone.
He released his biggest hit money palaver in 1976. He died later the same year.
9. Sunny Okosun
Sunny Okosun born in January 1, 1947 in Enugu, Sunny who was from Edo State was one of the leading Nigeiran musicians from the late 1970s to mid 1980s.
He formed his first band. The postmen, in Enugu in 1965 and joined Melody Maestros, a band led by Victor Uwaifo in 1965. From 1972 to 1974 he led a group known as Paperback Limited and then formed a newband, Ozziddi.
Some of his popular songs are Fire in Soweto, High life and Which Way Nigeria. Okosun continued his career in music as a gospel musician in the early 90s.
He died aged 61 of Colon Cancer on 24 May 2008.
8. Tunji Oyelana
A former lecturer, Tunji Oyelana was born in October 4, 1939 and is credited with having sold the most albums by a Nigerian High Life musician.
He composed the song, I love my country with Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. Both were charged with treason in 1996, and forced into exile by Sani Abacha, while touring internationally with Soyinka’s play the beatification of Area Boy.
7. Orlando Owoh
Originally born as Stephen Oladipupo Owomoyela in February 1932, in Osogbo, Orlando was a notable highlife musician and band leader. He was shifted from the carpentry trade in 1958, when he was hired by Kola Ogunmola Theatre Group to play drums and sing.
He went on to form Dr Orlando Owoh and his Omimah Band in 1960 and Dr Orlando Owoh and his Young Kenneries Band in 1975; and over a musical career of forty years became one of the leading proponents of highlife music. He had over 45 albums to his credit.
Some of his well known song include, Yellowe Sisi, Ajokodun bi ile, Ololufe gba temi, Omo Pupa and No friend/Aiye Lokun.
6. Prince Nico Mbarga
Prince Nico Mbarga was born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki on January 1, 1950. He is renowned for his hit song Sweet Mother, recorded with his band Rocafil Jazz, as well as Aki Speical.
Prince Nico Mbarga’s style of Highlife is a mixture of Soukuos of the two Congos, Makossa of Cameroon, and of course the Guitar Highlife of Nigeria.
5. Jim Rex Lawson a.k.a Cardinal Rex
Cardinal Rex was born to parents of Igbo and Kalabari descent in 1935.
He played with Sammy Obot, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya Chris Ajilo, and other Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians and bands. With the majors band, they recorded the hits: So alateme, Yellow sisi, Gowon Special and Jolly Papa.
He’s renowned for hit songs like; Yellow Sisi, Love Mu Adure and Sawale. Sawale was remixed by Flavor to make the popular hit song, Nwa Baby (Ashawo).
4. Victor Olaiya
Victor Olaiya was born to a wealthy family on the 31st of December 1930, in Calabar, Cross River State, and is the 20th child of a family of 24. He hails from Ijesha-Ishu in Ekiti State.
In 1954 Olaiya formed his own band, the Cool Cats (later the All Star Band), playing popular highlife music. His band was chosen to play at the state ball when Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited Nigeira in 1956 and later to play at the state balls when Nigeria got independence in 1960 and when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. On the latter occasion, Olaiya shared the stage with the American jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. During the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-70, Olaiya was given the rank of a lieutenant colonel (honorary) in the Nigerian army and his band played for the troops at various locations. The cool cats later travelled to the Congo to perform for United Nations troops.
3. Dr Sir Warrior
Christogonus Ezebuiro Obinnaa was born in 1947 in Imo State, the ultimate Dr Sir Warrior, was the leader of the Oriental Brothers International Band which was famous in the Nigerian Igbo highlife music scene for several decades.
He began performing at the age of 11, when he joined men’s choral group specialising in a music form known as Ese. By 16 he had achieved fame for his voice and performance of Ese music.
He introduced the Oyorima concept, which is an Igbo word that means a refined feeling of rhythmic movement and balance.
It is said that the Oriental Brothers played a very important spiritual role in keeping many Igbo sane as they were severely traumatised by the civil war.
2. Oliver De Coque
Popularly known as Oliver De Coque, Chief Dr Oliver Sunday Akanite was born on April 14, 1947 and hails from Ezi nifite in Anambra State. He recorded more than 73 albums to his credit making him the most popular High life king of Africa.
His music band group Ogene Sound Super of Africa, blended modern high life and traditional Igbo music. He started playing music at the age of 17 with Ekpili.
1.Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
Born in March 1936, in Atani, a city in Anambra State, he came from a line of singers and dancers. His career spanned over 40 years and he has written over 500 songs, half of which were commercially released. His popular hits include: Osondi Owendi (meaning “one man’s meat is another man’s posion”. Nwannem Ebezina, Kedu America and Onuigbo.
Osita later died in St. Mary’s Hospital Waterbury, Connecticut on 11 May 2007.
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.
The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.
This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.
According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.
He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.
However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).
Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.
He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.
Nancy Briggs
