Entertainment
‘Rivers Artistes Deserve Better Deal’
Kikis Briggs
The music industry in
Rivers State has without doubt grown beyond our expectations since Nigeria got independence in 1960, the indigenous artistes have also achieved both fame and wealth. Despite these achievements, it is not yet ‘Uhuru’ as it has been observed that the industry today is bedeviled with mirage of problems that need urgent attention.
In a recent interview with The Tide Entertainment, Asalga Rivers State born music superstar, investor and philanthropist, Kikis Tubokikibo Briggs noted that there are a lot of challenges in the entertainment industry in RiversState, particularly the music sector. He observed that the artistes do not love themselves rather they believe in everyone for him or herself.
Mr Briggs also noted that the indigenous artistes are very lazy because once they do a song and it is aired in Radio, television stations or played in night clubs they feel they have arrived as superstars and they no longer work hard to improve on their career. The Hip-hop maestro urged the Port Harcourt based artistes to go back to their drawing boards and reconsider their iyrics which he said is lacking in most of their songs, according to him most of the songs sound gibberish. He said a good music should have three qualities, it must be entertaining, educative and informative, if these qualities are lacking in a song it is not complete and cannot stand the test of time.
The Port Harcourt homeboy and Niger Delta Hip-Hop music star said that the government and the private sector are not helping matters due to lack of investment and encouragement of the indigenous artistes. He stressed that whenever there is a mega government entertainment event, the organizers bring foreign artistes to perform, even here in Nigeria they prefer the Lagos-based Artistes and pay them millions of naira. He stressed that while the Lagos artistes are paid not less than N2 million per show their Rivers State counterparts get N20,000 or less for the same event.
The multi-talented music star maintained that the Rivers State indigenous artistes deserve a better deal in the hands of both the state government and the private sector. The disparity in artistes fees and favouritism in the choice of artistes must stop for the entertainment industry in Rivers State to survive, because what is happening in the music industry is replicated in the other sectors of the entertainment clan in the state such as movie, comedy etc. He said this is why most of the practitioners have relocated to other cities to seek for greener pastures.
He said in Lagos for instance, government and the private sector invest heavily in show business that is why the practitioners are on top of their game. The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) graduate of Mechanical Engineering who later embraced music after his graduation in 2006 stated that music had been his passion right from childhood. He explained that there is a difference between potential and credential, according to him while potentials are gifts from God, credentials are qualifications attained at school.
“Early in my life I discovered that I have potential for music and I followed it with passion, though my mother never liked my idea of going into music, because she believed it would make me wayward and lead me astray, but my father Opubo S.D. Briggs thought otherwise and advised me to go ahead with my chosen career, he even wrote my first song titled “Trust Nobody” in 2006″, he said.
He explained that the song launched him into the music industry and today he has released other singles namely ‘Iriaweh’ 2007 featuring Phyno which was later remixed and featured Timaya. Other songs include “Fine Fine Girl” released in Thailand and the video was also shot in Thailand while the most recent single was released in February this year titled “You Can Make it Naija” and the music video is currently making waves in Niger Delta and beyond.
“Today my mother is short of words concerning my achievements in the industry. I have gained popularity, wealth and fame in the industry within and outside Nigeria, I have invested in the music industry in the areas of sound, stage performance, writing and production. I also run an entertainment outfit called Tup Kicks multipurpose, operating in Asia, South Africa, Thailand and Nigeria and the company is engaged in music, fashion and show businesses”, he disclosed.
Entertainment
“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law
In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)
The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.
The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.
Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.
The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.
While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.
According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.
Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.
“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.
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
