Entertainment
Showbiz Personalities Lament Loss Of Revenue To COVID-19
Entertainment industry is no doubt one of the largest employers of labour globally, Nigeria inclusive.
However, in recent times the industry has witnessed a down turn in business as a result of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic. This has caused many clubs, hangouts and hotels to wind up and their owners driven into other businesses like buying and selling of goods, especially in the Port Harcourt city to cushion the biting economic effect of this dreaded disease.
Nevertheless, the post-lock down period has affected the owners of the entertainment enclave and showbiz personalities the opportunity to bounce back to business, though at a skeletal level.
In order to assess the impact of COVID-19 in showbiz in Port-Harcourt, an expert Sunshine Walter of Mr. Dynamic Grill located on Peter Odili Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt who spoke with The Tide recently said “The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the industry as prices of goods and services are very high. The prices od drinks, raw food and meat are high, labour inclusive. We cannot break even, just struggling to balance up. We cannot get things we are suppose to get at the right price.”
The showbiz in the Port Harcourt City is sluggishly struggling to get to the usual height as people are still afraid to patronize hangouts clubs and hotels believing that there may yet be another outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Hence, the normal crowd witnessed in showbiz in the city is absolutely absent.
In a further chat with the Manager of Mr. Dynamic Grill, Miss Walter, explained that in keeping with state government protocol on COVID-19 pandemic “We had to introduce disposable cups, strict application and adherence to wearing face and nose masks by customers, social distancing, hand washing inclusive to ensure healthy environment and to woo customers yet the level of patronage is low.
The circumstances on the ground are certainly not the best of times for the entertainment industry as a result of outbreak of coronavirus owing to the fact that most hangouts, clubs and hotels have gone underground, unable to bounce back to business. The few operating which are making strong effort to continue to be in showbiz for instance, Sansun Hotel on Odili Road has wound up and have been put in the property Market for sale.
Showbiz in the city is in a very lamentable state, most popular hangouts and clubs can no longer host variety nights with guest artists, dancers, talent, disco jockeys (DJ) in attendance.
Night life in Port Harcourt is gradually phasing out because of near danger and fear of the possible contraction of coronavirus. People rather prefer to stay within the comfort of their homes and enjoy themselves.
In another development, a survey carried out by the Entertainment Desk of The Tide newspaper shows that proprietors in the showbiz are really facing a hard time.
Lamenting on the gloomy business environment brought about by this deadly pandemic, a manager of a popular hangout and night club on Dr. Peter Odili Road, Lesuka, Amaka Blessing decried the poor state of the entertainment industry in Port Harcourt, saying “there was no economic or business magic her outfit could apply to continue to operate withint he period of lock down as they totally carried out state government rules and guidelines on COVID-19 pandemic, adding that for 8 months they were not in business, although others were into hide and seek game.
By: Okwein George Parker
Entertainment
Why Fans No Longer Faint For Musicians – Paul Okoye
Nigerian singer and half of the defunct P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has claimed that social media has reduced the prestige and value fans attached to musicians due to the mystique that artistes had before the era of social media.
Speaking in a recent interview with Lun Lifestyle TV, Rudeboy argued that social media, despite all its benefits, has shattered the illusion of artistes being mysterious and godlike.
This he said has reduced the buzz artistes previously enjoyed whenever their fans got the opportunity to see them whether physically or visually.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner explained that because artistes are no longer mysterious, fans are no longer eager to watch them in music videos.
He claimed that shooting music videos is now a waste of money.
Rudeboy said, “Music videos somehow now, because of this generation, is a waste of money. I am sorry to say this. But do you remember us [P-Square] before? You don’t see us anywhere. You just watch music videos, you see us and that’s it, or we come to your country, you see us.
“The reason you don’t see people faint for artistes anymore is because they see them on TikTok every day dancing and promoting your music. If Michael Jackson was alive now and doing promotional content on social media, nobody would see him and faint.
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for us to bring back the era of artistes being mystiques. How can you advise an artiste to post every day? How? Post what? You don’t need to.
“Social media brought positive change to the industry but it also led to ‘see-finish.’ Artistes are now too exposed. Fans see how they eat, cry. Before when artistes go to club, they stay in restricted VIP areas, but now when they are clubbing, everyone is filming.”
Entertainment
Davido’s Aide Offers Cash Reward For Missing Phone At Zlatan’s Wedding
Afrobeats superstar, Davido’s aide, Damilare Aladegbola, popularly known as Dre, has offered a cash reward to whoever returns his phone, which he claims went missing during rapper Zlatan Ibile’s wedding ceremony.
Dre made the appeal in a post on his Instagram page on Monday, pleading with the person who allegedly took the device to return it in exchange for money.
“If na u carry my phone for Zlatan wedding, abeg return am, I go give you money please,” he wrote.
The aide also expressed frustration over what he suggested was a method being used to take phones at social gatherings.
He said he would no longer tolerate waiters asking whether guests had finished eating so they could clear their plates, alleging that the practice could provide an opportunity for phones left on tables to be taken.
“From now on, if I go any party or dey any party and any stupid waitress tell me say are you done eating so I can pack your plate, na swear I go swear for you cause na pattern wey una dey use pack phone for table be that now,” he added.
However, Dre did not identify anyone suspected of taking his phone or provide further details about how the device went missing.
Zlatan Ibile tied the knot with his longtime partner, Davita Lamai, during a traditional wedding ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, attracted several celebrities, fans and well-wishers, with Davido among the prominent guests and leading the groomsmen.
Entertainment
I Ran Away From Nigeria, Never Wanted To Come Back-Chidinma
Popular singer, Chidinma Ekile has revealed that before transitioning from secular music to the gospel genre, she “ran away” from Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent Eezee Conceptz event, Chidinma explained that she travelled abroad and wanted to secure permanent residency because she didn’t want to return to Nigeria, but failed.
She revealed that while she was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only person calling her from Nigeria, so she decided to work with him upon her return.
“I travelled. I ran away from Nigeria. I was processing my papers not to come back to Nigeria, but for some reason, it didn’t work.
“While I was abroad, the CEO of Eezee Conceptz was the only one who was calling me from Nigeria. He kept encouraging me, and I found the strength to come back to Nigeria. When I came back, I asked him to give me a gospel music contract because I want to spend time with God. And he gave me a contract that even my lawyer said seemed like a charity,” Chidinma stated.
The music star added that she did not transition into gospel music because she wanted to make gospel, but because she wanted a serious relationship with God.
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