Entertainment
Nigeria Failed My Generation 38 Years Ago – Lancelot
Popular film maker, Lancelot Imasuen, may not have known his ‘true worth and greatness’ as a film maker. But after rolling out the drums recently to celebrate his golden age, the Edo State-born cultural advocate now knows better.
The quintessential film maker is known to be the rallying point for the propagation of the customs and traditions of the Benin race using the medium of the tube.
Over the years, the ‘Guvnor’ as he’s fondly called by his colleagues and fans has produced classical films that not only drew from the rich repertory of Benin culture, imagery, music and dance but such that stressed the need for the sustenance of our dying indigenous languages.
As a matter of fact, his epic films including 2014 “Invasion 1897” and “Adesuwa” produced in 2012, are still being held in high esteem as a reference point in most institutions of higher learning and cultural establishments across the globe.
Perhaps, it was not out of place therefore, when the drums were rolled out recently to celebrate the man and his achievements. Following the numerous accolades he has garnered from different quarters since he made his directorial debut in Nollywood, Lancelot’s month-long celebration of his 50th birthday was no less a testament to his true worth and greatness as a foremost film maker from Benin race.
He turned 50 years last Sunday. But activities marking his golden age started way back in May, after he was first hosted by the Directors Guild of Nigeria,DGN, in what was tagged ‘One on One with Lancelot Imasuen. Since then, it has been a potpourri of events spanning more than a month.
However, besides interesting activities that preceded his 50th birthday, the high-point of the celebration was a colloquium held in his honour by the management of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Edo State. The event, held at the institution’s auditorium last Thursday, not only set a new priority for the celebrant, but also, witnessed the launch of the institution’s Nollywood masterclass programme for students pursuing career in arts disciplines to improve their skills in the industry.
Earlier, in his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, lauded the contributions of the movie icon, noting that there was no amount of recognition or honour bestowed on him, while he’s still alive, that should be considered too great.
Prof Ezemonye said the event provided a unique opportunity for the institution’s Threatre Arts students, to not only come face to face with veterans of creative arts, but also profit from the masterclass that will follow as a major outcome of the colloquium.
Speaking on the theme, “Cultural Revival through the Screen,” guest speakers including, Irene Isoken Agunloye, Professor of African Drama, Gender, Women and Film Studies, University of Jos and Professor Barclays Ayakoroma, Head of Department of Theatre Arts, University of Africa, Bayelsa, collectively emphasised the need to embrace, promote and sustain Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
Dean, College of Arts and Social Sciences, IUO, Tunde Agara, said the colloquium was another great feat of the institution that would positively impact and inspire the students.
Meanwhile, shedding tears of joy, while appreciating the honour bestowed on him, Lancelot pledged his support in the area of collaboration to drive excellence in the institution.
He described his 50th birthday celebration as a monumental event that he would take to his grave.
His words: “I feel very young at heart, I am very grateful to God for keeping me alive to celebrate my 50th birthday. It started like a joke. When I realised I was going to be 50, I told my wife that I would like to celebrate it even though I have no money. I’m used to celebrating my birthdays, but this one is significant and I needed to mark my golden age. I was conscious that it is a milestone age”.
I also need to know how I am being perceived by people. So, this is another great taste of my personality and public acceptance of what I represent in the movie industry.
“The celebration has been mind-blowing with activities starting from the 25th of April when the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Abuja chapter hosted me in what was tagged ‘One on One with Lancelot Imasuen.
“On the 16th of April, I held my movie premiere in a church. I have always hoped that I will be able to grow my ministry called The Gospel Entertainment Network. So, my first movie in that direction was premiered in the church. But what was uppermost in my mind was to give back to the society that made me. I had a desire to cut my birthday cake with the less privileged people. This is because I believe that we should not judge a man’s future with any situation he’s facing today. So, I visited two orphanages in Benin and the third orphanage in Abuja.”
Interestingly, having groomed so many top entertainers from Edo, it was not unexpected that they decided to pay back their mentor for his good deeds. Comedians from the state also organized a night of comedy with Lancelot Imasuen, which had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Mr Philip Shaibu.
According to Lancelot, the Deputy Governor had to defy the heavy downpour in order to honour him.
“It was unbelievable. I got the shocker of my life when the Deputy Governor of Edo State stormed the venue, while it was raining heavily to honour me as a role model to the Edo youths,” he said.
The film director, however, said he was using the occasion of his 50th birthday to preach peace and unity in the country, adding that he had, as a fallout of his birthday celebration, instituted an Entertainment Clamp Award, which has received the nod of the Edo Deputy Governor. .
He also called on the government to institutionalize role modelling in the country, saying “it is what has destroyed our social family.”
According to him, “my 50th birthday opened many doors for me. Having been showered with so much love, I see my 50th birthday as a re-dedication of my life to the service of humanity. I want to use this medium of my golden age to preach peace for humanity, commitment to humanity, love for one another and togetherness. I am calling on Mr President and all the state governors to be our leaders and not our rulers.
Lamenting the deteriorating state of the nation, the popular film maker said “Nigeria failed me about 38 years ago, when I enjoyed dividends of good governance. When I was in school, they gave me books, paid my school fees and we were even fed in schools. But today, it’s a different story with the Federal Government totally disconnected in supporting its citizens.”
A film director, screenwriter and producer, Lancelot Imasuen is best known as one of the founding figures of the Nigerian film industry who has spent over 25 years of his life making stars and bringing happiness to many homes across Africa and beyond.
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.