Entertainment
Controversies Threaten Davido’s Career
Davido is an African mu
sic star but he fails in several other aspects where he ought to do better. The 23 year old entertainer who is currently signed on to RCA Records and Sony Music has fallen out with Sophia Momoclu, his baby mama, several times in the past over issues ranging from the custody of their baby I made to her alleged Infidelity, her carefree and will lifestyle despite having a baby and her prodigality, among other things.
In January 2016, they made the news in style with their private issues sitting on the front burner of media discussions in local entertainment and lifestyle circles fast forward to July 2016 and they are on yet onother unsavoury episode as new details from her point to the fact that the ‘Fans Mi’ Singer is allegedly failing to take care of his daughter, I made.
On Saturday, July 30 2016, the pair became major gist on social media after he ranted about Sophia calling him a dead beat dad for refusing to marry her. Clearly, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge between them leading to the present revelations. Only time will tell how it all ends.
While all of this is unbecoming of a star and brand ambassador like Davido, especially with the name-calling and over all callousness, it must be remembered that having a child out of wedlock is nothing new as acts of this sort come with the terrain in entertainment.
Entertainers and celebrities are known to live in the fast lane more often than not thus ending up in sexual affairs with multiple partners. Hence, the fact of him having a baby from an affair with one of his numerous partners isn’t exactly the bane of his issues today, but the greater trouble lies in his approach towards containing the situations.
As a public figure and most especially an ambassador for corporate clients, a lot is expected of an individual in his position. In this light, it is often common for celebrities to do all they can to avoid sticky situations. Now, the fact that Davido is not just a regular musician but a figure for corporate clients as well as a father makes it imperative for him to sit up and stop with the misdemeanours as it does him no good at this point, quite frankly.
In addition, he is the head honcho at his Davido Music Worldwide record label and heir to a billionaire father among other things, situations which also provide ample demands from him in terms of his public image and mannerism. It is therefore of the essence for the youngster to do right in every situation there is, especially in matters regarding his immediate family in terms of how this makes him appear in public.
The demand for him to act right comes on the heels of his previous records, which aren’t exactly smooth. Davido has fallen out publicly with his cousin and fellow musician B-Red as well as with Afro pop star, Wizkid, although with the latter it was a bit veiled as against the former.
His issues with B-Red made the news in April 2016. The situation between him and Wizkid has persisted over the years, from 2014 into 2015 even though most recently it’s followed a downward slope owing to their various involvements in international expansion and growth for their crafts.
He has had spats with the guys from MTV Base who were on a mission to prank him for their Bigger Friday show, although this ended quite humorously. This happened in May 2016. From January 2016 to May 2016, he’s gotten into an on and off fracas of sorts with Veteran Publisher, Dele Momodu, all of which started after the issues with Sophia Momodu beginning from December 2015 and lingering into January, 2016.
Looking at all of these, you see that it’s no secret the Skelewu Crooner Courts controversies almost as much as Messi can kick a soccer ball. And sadly, it helps him in no way. The socio-economic dispensation in today’s Nigeria is pathetic to say the least, with the naira steady falling by the day in foreign markets. And we are to blame for overtly relying on petroleum and religiously running a risky, mono-product economy despite the clear-cut signs and warnings from financial experts.
But while all of that is menacing, the future looking increasingly in doubt as far as oil revenues are concerned, our entertainment industry has consistently brought us relief in many ways.
The players in Nollywood are unrelenting and prolific, even though still having a long way to go. The musicians on the other hand have busied themselves with various degrees of international collaborations, recognitions accomplishments.
The likes of Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Ayo Jay, Seyi Shay, Asa, Falz, Simi, Niniola, Don Jazzy and Runtown are in the Vanguard of what is currently being described as a new wave in African music. And quite Frankly, we love this sweet feeling of success. We love the taste. We relish the greatness, even though in truth we are still faced with a mountain of issues in the socio-political front.
We do this because music has become a sort of panacea for our ailing psyche as Nigerians, especially as administration after administration, the rulers have come up with nothing short of disturbing policies. We love our music and the joy it brings us. The likes of Asa make us able to hold our heads high once again in the international communities. But as much as this is the case, it will be a lot more impressive if our entertainer got their careers more sorted out with the likes of Davido realizing that professionalism demands a certain level of uprightness especially in public places and on social media, if nowhere else.
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
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.