Entertainment
Playboy Founder, Hugh Hefner Dies At 91
The famous founder of the International Adult Magazine, Playboy, Hugh Hefner has died at the age of 91. His death was announced by the Play Boy Enterprises Inc. which said the 91 year-old passed away peacefully in his home from natural causes.
In his reaction, Cooper Hefner, his son said he would be “greatly missed by many”. He paid tribute to his father’s exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer, calling him an advocate for free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom.
Hugh Hefner began publishing Playboy Magazine in his kitchen at home in 1953. Playboy became the largest selling men’s magazine in the world shifting seven million copies a month at its peak.
The trail blazing magazine helped make nudity respectable in mainstream publications and made him a multi millionaire. It spawned a business empire that include casinos and nightclubs.
Hefner became famous for throwing huge parties at luxurious mansions in his later years as he grew to live with more than six playboy mansion models.
Hugh Hefner was born into a strict Methodist family in Chicago. He rebelled, spectacularly producing the first issue of Playboy. The widely acclaimed magazine was adorned with Marilyn Monroe as its first centre fold, the magazine was an instant hit.
It’s huge sales were driven by glossy colour picture of nude ‘playmates’, but it also developed a reputation for fine writing. Norman Mailer, Kingsley Amis and Ray Bradbury were among its contributors.
Hugh Hefner lived the lifestyle portrayed in his Play boy magazine. His Playboy mansion in Los Angelese where he died surrounded by friends, epitomised an adolescent dream.
He claimed to have slept with more than 1000 women and has a reality TV show that has become more popular than any nude or sex tape.
He was attacked by feminists accused of reducing women to sex toys, but he styled himself as the “Godfather of the sexual revolution”.
Meanwhile, the world has reacted to the death of the life style icon. Celebrities around the world have paid homage to the man who was famous for his wild parties at the Playboy mansion and iconic sexual lifestyle magazine.
In honour of Hefner, here are ten things you didn’t know about the Playboy founder.
Hugh Hefner served in the armed forces during World War II as a clerk and writer for a military magazine/newspaper.
Hugh Hefner does not own the famous Playboy mansion. While he was alive, he lived in the mansion, but he was no longer the owner of the property. Playboy enterprises actually owns the building and recently placed it on sale at $200m.
Despite the sale, the company stated that Hefner had to be allowed to live there.
Hugh Hefner bought plot next to Marilyn Monroe. He was a huge fan of the late legendary actress, Marilyn Monroe. She was even the first cover girl of playboy magazine that later featured others stars.
His love for her made him decide that he would love to spend the rest of her life beside her. Hugh bought the burial plot next to Monroe and would be buried there.
Hugh Hefner kept the Holly wood sign alive. He was also a philanthropist which dates back to the late 70s when the famous Hollywood sign in California came down due to termite infestation. Hugh raised the money needed to bring it back up again.
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