Entertainment
Excessive Weed, Alchohol Take Over Nigerian Showbiz
There is a shift of trend in the Nigerian showbiz as leading celebrities and family brand ambassadors have been turning to sharing and flaunting their posting their binge smoking and alcohol on social media. Experts have warned that there would be an upsurge in the number of substance abuse by youths if caution is not taken.
Like a competition with each participant seeming to outdo the other, many Nigerian celebrities have continued to showcase their love for the constant intake of marijuana and alcohol with little or no care in the world.
The list is endless but fiercely led by leading Nigerian music stars that include Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Naira Marley, and Olamide.
“I don’t do drugs, I just smoke weed,” confirming his addiction to marijuana at every given opportunity, controversial singer Afeez Fashola aka Naira Marley tells his combined followers of 7.6 million on social media platforms – Twitter and Instagram.
The singer, whose lyrics and songs glorify sex, violence, and drugs, followed up his assertions writing, “It’s a very strange thing when you make nature illegal.”
Known for consistently feeding his millions of followers with his lifestyle, his social media posts are not weird to many of his ardent followers, who refer to themselves as ‘Marlians’.
Except for the Ramadan period, the singer is fond of delighting his teeming fans and followers, who are made up of young teens and adults, with his huff and puff of marijuana videos and raunchy pictures on social media.
With much criticism from Nigerians, the ‘Soapy’ singer rarely gives a hoot nor worry about the consequences and the message he’s sending to younger generations.
Months ago, the singer had shared a picture of himself with his gang wrapping up marijuana and captioned it, “No permission! We do it with no permission.”
Naira Marley might seemingly be the most daring of them all but he’s sure not the only artist caught in this messy puddle of smoke promotion, as many of his colleagues seemed to have joined the trend.
Just like his mentor, Fela Kuti, Grammy award nominee, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy doesn’t feel guilty smoking in his music videos and public places. In 2013, to show his love for marijuana, the Africa Giant dropped a special tune titled, ‘Smoke Some Weed’ off his album, L.I.F.E. In the song, he confirmed his affection for smoking saying, “I need to sing this song. ’cause marijuana has never ever done me wrong… Me have some marijuana in a me house that I would like to smoke with you gyal…”
On May 4, 2020, the 29-year-old singer caused a stir on social media as he was seen smoking in the presence of his mother and manager, Bose Ogulu. In the Instagram live video, the Port Harcourt born-artist and his mother were dancing to one of Wizkid’s songs as he was recorded exchanging blunts with a friend. Not his first attempt, the same year, a picture of him smoking in the presence of his father also surfaced on social media.
Not to be left out is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun aka Wizkid. The 30-year-old singer is fond of showing off his smoking habits arbitrarily on the internet – most especially on Instagram.
Before the release of his 2020 album, ‘Made in Lagos’, the Starboy usually feeds his fans with studio session clips that see him smoking while working. His Instagram page is filled with pictures and videos of the singer smoking or holding substances suspected to be marijuana.
Social commentators have observed that the father of three is losing weight and this has been alleged to be connected with his excessive intake of weed. “Smoke is drying you out… you need to take a chill,” a follower on Twitter cautioned the singer. Another Twitter user, Daddy GeeHoe, criticized that Wizkd has lost his good looks as a result of his continuous consumption of the substance suspected to be marijuana. “Too much weed has made Wizkid lose his beauty,” he posted.
A scroll on Olamide’s Instagram page proves that he is an avid smoker. While he’s hardly seen smoking other substances aside from cigarettes, he has, on several occasions, been cautioned by industry experts for promoting drug abuse in some of his songs.
Another promoter of the binge smoking and drinking lifestyle is 28-years-old David ‘Davido’ Adeleke. The 30BG honcho seems to have quickly forgotten the circumstances surrounding the death of some of his close friends in the spate of one week in 2017.
Precisely, on October 8, 2017, the FEM crooner’s crew including his official disc jockey, Oluwagbemiga Abiodun aka DJ Olu, and Chime were found dead in the car park of a luxurious building situated on Banana Island Lagos. According to reports, the deaths were a result of substance abuse.
Four days before the incident, another of the singer’s affiliates, Tagbo, had collapsed and died after embarking on a drinking binge to celebrate his birthday with the singer and his crew.
Though the 28-year-old singer once hinted that he was quitting smoking just after a music producer, Don Jazzy celebrated his one year of non-smoking on social media, he has since returned to his old habit stronger.
The list of musicians is endless. The same goes for Nollywood stars with many caught in the web of playing characters that sees them interpreting excessive smoking habits on screens.
So bad is the trend that up and coming music acts find it extremely difficult to exist in the space without having to tow the lines of the most popular and trending music acts. The glorification of sexual acts, binge smoking, and drinking has become a norm that should be followed for any entertainer seeking success.
The adverse effect of drug addiction on the lives, careers, and performances of entertainers is not one synonymous with only the Nigerian entertainment space. Just as it didn’t just start today, it is reputable to have dragged many superstars down the grave. Globally, leading musicians and actors from Charlie Sheen, Steve Howe, Judy Garland to Whitney Houston. The Nigerian entertainment industry has also had its fair share of bright stars who have seen their careers crumble over addiction or substance intake.
Early in January, Nigerians woke up to a viral clip where current rave, Bella Shmurda, was seen misbehaving on stage during a performance in Asaba, Delta state.
In the video, the 23-year-old singer was seen staggering and unable to take charge of his performance until his crew had to support him to stand properly. The ‘Cash App’ singer was alleged to have been highly intoxicated before climbing the stage to perform.
The development, however, ignited mixed reactions as many slams the young singer for public misconduct, while few advised him against the use of drugs.
“Bella Shmurda needs serious management before drugs will ruin him, his show at Asaba was an eyesore, he was too high to even perform. Talent without goods behaviours and good management will be a waste of talent at the end of the day,” a fan, Uncle Ajala ranted on Twitter.
Another fan, Xammy Official advised, “We’ve seen so many great talents lose it out to drugs. Bella Shmurda needs a very good advisor in the industry and a good management team. He might not last in the industry or as a human being if he continues these drugs.”
In December, the fast-rising star was full of praise to his friend and colleague, Zlatan, Pokolee for redeeming his life from excess intake of smoke and drinking.
“I was going astray, smoking and drinking nonsense but you helped and supported me with everything in 2020,” he confessed during an Instagram live video.
Some celebrities indulge in substance consumption for fun, while many believe it enhances their inspiration, lyrics, and performance artistry.
A brief chat with an upcoming rapper who was preparing himself with marijuana and a mixture of alcohol backstage believes the mixture is the best enhancer he needs to wow his crowd.
“Bros, na we dey do am ooo. I copy this lifestyle from my mentor… a superstar,” the young artist with dreadlock said with a smile.
Continuing he said, “I feel more confident, sharp, and fearless after I fill my body with these things. In fact, I can freestyle for one hour non-stop.”
However, veteran music producer, ID Cabasa, does not agree with the notion. According to him, intoxicating substances can bring talented musicians to a tragic end.
Commonly found in the entertainment space are substances that include marijuana, refnol, skunk, cocaine, loud, codeine, tramadol, ecstasy, methamphetamine, etc.
Findings showed that viewing people smoking in movies prospectively predicts a substantial proportion of children smoking initiation. Similarly, exposure to smoking-related media promotions is associated with smoking initiation while alcoholic use in movies and promotions is also linked to actual alcohol use.
In fact, movies and entertainment materials are veritable tools for the transfer of ideas and promotion of alternative lifestyles.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirms that currently about 8 million people die annually from tobacco use, and if nothing is done to reverse or halt the epidemic, tobacco-related deaths could rise to 10 million annually by 2030.
Speaking on the development, Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) Akinbode Oluwafemi, said there is a need for stakeholders to play an active role in introducing measures to curb smoking in videos.
According to Oluwafemi who has kicked off a campaign, #Smokefree-Nollywood to stop smoking in movies and music videos in the entertainment industry to protect young Nigerians, recommend strategies to curb the menace.
“CAPPA is spearheading advocacy efforts at building a critical mass to confront the industry’s tactics of wooing the young and uninformed through films and music videos. The tobacco industry also exploits movies and music videos to give misleading positive impressions of tobacco use. Such has been identified as a cause of smoking initiation among young persons,” he said.
Entertainment
World Music Day: Alliance Française Port Harcourt Showcases Talents

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.
Entertainment
PMAN Set To Implement Performance Levy ‘Tomorrow

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.