Bravo and many rewarding years ahead to Rivers State entertainment clan as the state celebrates her 55th Birthday. The annual event marks the liberation of Rivers people from exploitation, domination, deprivation and under development, made possible by the creation of Rivers State on May 27, 1967 out of the defunct Eastern region of Nigeria by the then military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
May 27 every year affords the good people of the state the opportunity to relish the unprecedented achievements recorded by the state during the past years of existence. Located in the Southern coast line, in the Niger Delta region of the country, Rivers state today, boasts of 23 Local Government Areas with distinct languages, customs and traditions. The state has also become the hub of oil and gas activities in Nigeria, and one of the fastest growing economies of the nation as well as the undisputed treasure base of the country, amongst other milestone achievements so far recorded.
“At 55, the Rivers State Entertainment enclave is thriving and bubbling with social activities, the entertainment landscape is second to none in Nigeria as the industry has recorded awesome achievements globally in the areas of music, movie, comedy, beauty pageantry, culture and tourism. The exploits of the entertainers in the world stage have not only attracted huge revenue and fame to the state, but also contributes to employment generation and image laundering abroad.”
Music:
In music, Rivers State born Afrobeat Sensation, Burna Boy, won the 2021 Best World Music Album at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards on March 14, 2021 with his hit album ,‘Twice AS Tall’. The album was nominated in the same category in 2020 making him the first Nigerian artiste with Back-To-Back nomination at the Grammys. This is in addition to his several international awards including artiste of the year at the 2020 VGMA’s awards.
Burna Boy was rewarded with a state reception party by the Rivers State Government in Port Harcourt, where he was conferred with the second highest honour of the state, ‘Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS) by the State Governor Chief Nyesom Wike. The Governor, also gave him a land at the GRA and money to develop it in appreciation of his victory at the global music stage which brought honour and prestige to the state and Nigeria.
Other distinguished indigenous artistes, who had made the state proud at the international, regional and national levels include: Port Harcourt first son, Duncan Wene Mighty, Omah Lay, Daniel Wilson, Frank O’Nero, Waconzy, Oba Omega, Peter Stone Cold, Maja Briggs, Lady IB, Ras Bob Kelly, Muma Gee, Lexy M, Kombo Ye Sinclair, Soty Sammuel Horsefall, Robin Maja and a host of others.
In the highlife music genre, the state has also produced notable Veterans, namely, Cardinal Jim Rex Lawson,King Sunny Brown, Jackwest Omodu and Prince David Bull, all of blessed memory, as well as the great Sinya of the Sea Masters band. They held sway in the Nigerian music industry of yester years.
Movie
In the movie clan, Rivers State is also at the fore front and parades the best stars in Nigeria’s make believe industry, popularly called Nollywood, who have made the state famous through their chosen career. Among others are Ex-Beauty Queen and Former President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima, Ex Glo Ambassador, Monalisa Chinda and NAPTIP Ambassador, Tonto Dike.
Others are: Hilda Dokubo, Amb. Milliscent Jack, Marreen Ihua and Vicky Een as well as Dr Sam Dede, Columbus Irosoanga, Gentle Jack, Alaso Wariboko and former Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Rivers State Chapter, Engr. Reginald Orlu, who stated in an interview with The Tide that the association had produced general movies that are shown in cinemas and displayed in movie shelves across the country.
The films are,” The Snake Kingdom, War of Roses, Double Trouble, Battle of the Gods, Second Life, The Market Place etc. He disclosed that the state also hosted the ION International film festival for the first time in Africa, among other international events.

Comedy
In comedy, Rivers State is widely known for her array of honour mongers, who entertain their global and local audience with raw jokes, fun, laughter and relaxation, Among them are rib crackers like, Julius Agwu, Prince Hezekiah, Dan D’Hwnorous, Angel D’ Laugh, Rugged Pastor, etc.
These hamour merchants have also organised comedy events in the state including Glo Lafta Fest, Night of a Thousand Laughs, Crack your Ribs and Laugh for Christ Sake, amongst other hilarious shows that helped to showcase the state to the outside world and generated revenue for it.
Another arm of the entertainment industry, where Rivers State has played trending roles is in beauty pageants. The state produced the first ever black woman to win the highly coveted Miss World Crown in the person of Agbani Derego, who was crowed in 2021. She was also highly rewarded by the state government for making Rivers State and Nigeria proud.
Rivers State also played host to several other international and national beauty pageants, such as Miss ECOWA Beauty pageant for two consecutive years, 2008 and 2009. The 2009 edition held at the Polo Club, GRA, Port Harcourt produced the First Nigerian born Miss ECOWAS, Joy Obasi Ngozika. The state also hosted the Miss Universities African Beauty pageant in November, 2017 where 54 beauty queens from various universities in Africa participated. These continental events also helped to boost the image of the state and attracted investors to the state economy.
Apart from these international, continental and regional achievements, the state government also organised beauty pageants such as Miss Centenary, Miss Golden Jubilee and Rivers State Reality Beauty pageant which gave the state ample opportunity to explore, show case and promote her culture and tourism potentials, create business and investment opportunities and earned the state an enviable status as a peaceful state with beauty, unreserved hospitality peaceful coexistence and unity.
In the tourist sector, Rivers State has also achieved much as a tourist destination. The state boasts of exciting tourist sites such as Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt Zoological Garden, Amusement Parks, state museum and beaches.
The state is also famous for her amazing food culture with traditional mouth-watering dishes. Such delicacies include, Bole, African Salad, Sea foods, among others. These put together have made the state a tourists’ first port of call. The conducive and investor friendly environment, unique culture, peaceful co-existence and legendary hospitality stand the state out in the country as a home away from home and the tourists’ destinations generating huge revenue for the state.
It is therefore, no gainsaying that despite the restrictions imposed in entertainment, hang outs and activities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the beat still goes on as high life continues to bubble in the ever busy metropolitan Garden City of Nigeria.

By: Jacob Obinna