Entertainment
The Paramount Ruler of Ogale community and Oneh-Eh Nchia X of Eleme in Eleme Local, Government Area of Rivers State, King Godwin Bebe-Okpabi has advised all those coveting and contending for traditional ruler’s stool, especially, impostors to desist from their acts and refrain from judicial, traditional or political coup, in order to ascend a throne as rulership and kingship are given by God. According to him, “kingship is a calling and if you are called, your people will select you”.
King Bebe-Okpabi said this during a reception that was organized in his palace following a thanksgiving service tagged ‘Sacrifice of Praise and Worship to the Almighty God’ last Sunday at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Nchia, Eleme.
The thanksgiving service, he said, was in fulfilment of his vow to God during a trying period occasioned by a tussle over his throne by an impostor. The King was under a court’s bench warrant/order which sought to commit him to prison over contempt since May 16, 2024, however, the order has now been stayed by the same court following a successful motion last week.
Speaking on the events leading to the thanksgiving, the King said, “I just survived a high level conspiracy that tried to scuttle my stool and to embarrass me, to keep me away from my Kingdom and comfort zone. It is a long story of somebody who has for over 10 years been trying to impersonate titles, he wants to borrow any title he can wear, if he cannot borrow it, then, he would snatch it, if he cannot snatch it, he would try to create one… by the grace of God, our people went through the tradition and selected me as the Oneh-Eh Ogale, in 2020, the district stool of Nchia became vacant and was to be contested for among the six traditional rulers within the district. I was selected, installed and my name forwarded to government for recognition, which was done. Again, this individual, who was not eligible, started his covetousness. He managed to get a court order against me to drag me out of my stool. But no one can take away from you what God has given to you no matter the way the scenario is painted, the connection, the inducement and manipulative tendencies, God will vindicate you, He is the maker of Kings”.
The matter, he added, has gone to the Court of Appeal where he is optimistic that justice would prevail. “The judiciary will soon know the impostor, the media and public already know him, it would soon be exposed that he is not even a chief but an impostor, who wants to manipulate the system to be called a King. He is a commercial chief, only in the media and companies”.
Earlier, during the Praise and Worship Service sermon tagged, A Grateful Heart (2nd Samuel 6 vs 14-21)which was delivered by Ven. Obinna Ochulor, who represented the Bishop of Niger Delta North Diocese, Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo, the need to stay faithful to one’s vow to God was stressed. The Vicar harped on the value of showing appreciation and consequences of ingratitude. According to him, “thanksgiving must come from the depth of your heart and committed worshippers are threat to the devil. People must learn how to worship God for mountains to move”.
The service was attended by friends and family members of the King, traditional rulers and heavyweights in Nchia and beyond.
Also speaking at the King’s palace, a former CTC chairman of Eleme LGA, Prince Awalanta Ejire and former ambassador to The Netherlands, Amb. Oji Ngofa said they were part of the occasion in order to felicitate and rejoice with the king over what the Lord had done for him and the people of Nchia. For Prince Ejire, he stands with King Bebe-Okpabi and support him because he supports what is right traditionally and otherwise.
Ambassador Ngofa on his part believes that the people should always find a way to reconcile no matter the grievances. “We should always find a way to sit down and build peace, it is better for the development and growth of our people instead of looking for a way to witch-hunt and fight people because of chieftaincy disagreements”.
It is pertinent to note that all chiefs and members of the Council of Chiefs of the district, were part of the service and reception in solidarity with King Bebe-Okpabi.
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.