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Participants Showcase Nigerian Culture At NAFEST 2018

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Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State is in a festive mood as arts and culture take centrestage in the ongoing 2018 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) holding in the city amidst pomp and funfare.
The state capital is playing host to participants from 18 states of the country as well as a large number of tourists and observers within and outside the country who have stormed the state capital for the showcasing of Nigeria’s culture, arts, crafts and fashion among others.
The weeklong national event which holds in the state capital from October 21 to October 27, 2018 with the theme “Nigeria Peace and Unity, our Pride” has also ushered in massive commercial activites in the state, hotels and other relaxation joints, markets are already making brisk business, a situation which is a big boost to the state economy and by extension Nigeria as a nation due to the large turnout of people and investors from all walks of life. Business operators are full of praises for the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for hosting the yearly festival of unity.
The big event which kicked off with the unveiling of the NAFEST Mascot and theme song by the state governor, His Excellency Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike was well attended by the who is who in the society and other stakeholders. The governor noted that the ceremony signifies the beginning of activities for NAFEST 2018.
He said “it is a pleasure that Rivers State is hosting the entire country once again, this shall provide the platform for the entire country to witness first hand culture and tradition of our people. This festival will further emphasize that Rivers State is peaceful and best destination for investment in the country, is also best destination for tourism.” He urge all stakeholders to work together to ensure success of the event.
Also speaking at the event, the Rivers State commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Oniyide said “the Mascot 2018 is a duck which lives on both land and water just like the landscape of the state.” According to her, “the mascot signified peace, friendship and goodluck which are the hallmark of NAFEST 2018.
Earlier in a statement, the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe stated that the council was fully prepared to showcase the glamour of Nigeria’s diverse culture to the world. He was upbeat that 2018 NAFEST would be the best ever following the massive equipment and facilities including the mass exodus of stakeholders from all parts of the world to Rivers State.
The DG commended particularly the high level of involvement of Rivers State youths who according to him are ready to take full advantage of the benefits from numerous youths empowerment components initiated by NCAC. He also urged stakeholders and indeed Nigerians to support NAFEST 2018 as a unifying force for cultural integration and harmony just as he affirmed the NCAC’s total commitment in projecting Nigeria’s rich culture throughout the cultural fiesta.
Runsawe thanked Governor Wike and the good people of the state for aligning with NCAC in its drive towards a successful hosting of NAFEST which according to him is a reaffirmation of the governor’s commitment to hosting the best NAFEST ever.
Highlights of the eventful week include registration of participants, free medical services, balloting for presentation of competitive events and official opening ceremony. Others are opening of cultural market at Isaac Boro Park, indigenous fabric competition, cultural roundtable on entrepreneurship, Ayo competition as well as traditional wrestling competition, dance drama and tales by moonlight children’s essay writing/craft competition, reception of children participants, by Her Excellency the wife of the state governor, Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Sussette Nyesom Wike and boat regatta also took centre stage during the event, including command performance and cultural gulf tournament followed by the closing date slated for Saturday October 27 2018.
NAFEST was introduced in 1970 as a vehicle to foster unity among the various sections of the country after the Nigerian civil war. Since then the body has contributed meaningfully to the nation’s economy and unity of the country.

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Why I Am Not Ready To Have Kids Yet-Burna Boy

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Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has opened up about why he is not ready to be a father yet.
According to the 32-year-old, he is not ready to have kids yet because he can not give them the attention they deserve.
Burna Boy disclosed this while responding to questions from newsmen, in a recent interview.
He explained that he would have children when he is settled or married.
“Why have not I had kids yet? Bro, because I don’t want to have kids yet,” he said.
“Have you seen my mum the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?I know I can not give that to anyone right now with the life I’m living. So until I’m settled and I can be there for my children everyday, I’m not having no kid.
“I feel like my kids deserve better than I got. And I got both my mum and dad so you understand?”
On the allegations that he is impotent, Burna Boy said, “When I see the bants and the things people say about me not being able to have kids, I said this is unimportant. Let’s assume that it is true that I could not even have kids, you know that there’s something called IVF? But that is not even true,” he summed up.

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2Baba’s  20 Years Anniversary Of  ‘Face 2 Face’

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May 15, 2024, made it 20 years since Nigerian seminal superstar, 2Baba released his debut album, ‘Face 2 Face’.
Before 2Face Idibia (Now 2Baba) left the boy band Plantashun Boiz to chase a solo career, he was adjudged by many to be the band’s most talented member.
In fact, superstar rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem could not resist the urge to point this out in ‘Wackawikee MC,’ where he dissed former Remedies members, Tony Teitula and Eddy Montana as well as the Plantashun Boiz.
It was this huge expectation based on proven talent that preceded the release of 2Baba’s debut album, ‘Face 2 Face’ which was an emphatic statement of his ability and ambitions.
The Tide Entertainment reports that released under the iconic Nigerian music label, Kennis Music on 15th May 2004, ‘Face 2 Face’ would carry the zeitgeist of Nigerian pop music in the 2000s with heavy hip-hop and RnB influences.
For 2Face, the album was crafted to position him for commercial success justifying his decision to leave the Plantashun Boiz. ‘Face 2 Face’ would achieve this as it houses some of the biggest hit tracks that defined the 2000s and rocketed 2Baba as the face of Nigerian pop music.
‘Face 2 Face’ welcomes listeners to 2Baba’s world where he shares his many thoughts through mind- blowing lyrics, melodies, and compelling versatility.
“Today is the first day of the rest of my life,” he says in the hit song ‘Nfana Ibaga,’ where he delivers his statement of intent that will alter the direction of change in the Nigerian soundscape.
2Face had many things to share and he found exciting ways to communicate these thoughts. When he raps about love on the hit track ‘Ole’ he effortlessly molds melodies in unprecedented fashion.
2Baba is arguably Nigeria’s most gifted artist and his unbelievable ability shines in elevated lyricism, remarkable shapeshifting, and mind blowing delivery.
The acceptance of his fallibility offers food for thought on the lyrical masterclass ‘U No Holy Pass,’ where he cautions his critics who have a lot to say over his decision to leave Plantashun Boiz and the way he chooses to live his life. This record is one of those songs that reminds listeners that there is about nothing 2Baba can- not do as he effortlessly flows over the strings and drums of Rock music.
While the album carries significant hip-hop influences, it also has the palpable RnB music that shaped the American soundscape in the early 2000s.
On ‘Right Here’, 2Baba pours out his heart on a brilliant domestication of RnB and hip hop hybrid popular with Western RnB stars like Usher, Craig Davids and Joe.
The album’s biggest song is the classic guitar ballad, ‘African Queen’ which will break the commercial roof of Nigerian and African music. If there is any such thing as a perfect song, it will be ‘African Queen’ as the writing, delivery and production make for a perfect combination that is one of the most important records in the history of Nigerian mainstream pop music.
The success of 2Baba’s ‘African Queen’ transcended the shores of Africa as it was used in the 2006 Hollywood movie, ‘Phat Girls’ which was one of the earliest exportation of Nigerian mainstream pop music.
2Baba is known for being an artiste who constantly uses his music to speak on social justice and this is a trait that runs back 20 years ago.
On ‘police Skit,’ listeners get a commentary on the state of the Nigerian Police who are hardly distinguishable from armed robbers.
2Baba is one of Nigeria’s music’s most indefatigable hitmakers and he laid the blueprints for what is to come on the groovy party-starter ‘Keep on Rocking’ feat Natives & Lil Seal where he effortlessly switches language and flows.
‘Face 2 Face’ is a product of an era when artists craft wholesome albums with something for every listener and a concerted effort to carry a national outlook. Tracks like the gospel tune ‘Thank U Lord’ and ‘Odi Ya’ feat Black Face where he showcases his Benue roots point to this effort.
20 years after its release, ‘Face 2 Face’ is celebrated as a hall-of-fame Nigerian album that laid the blueprint for the hit projects in the Nigerian mainstream.
‘Face 2 Face’ showed listeners many sides of 2Baba – the singer, the rapper, the songwriter, the sage, the hitmaker, and ultimately, the pacesetter.

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Davido Reacts To Report Of Sacking His Lawyer

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Nigerian Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has debunked reports that he sacked his lawyer and longtime friend, Bobo Ajudua, over embezzlement.
The Tide Entertainment gathered that Davido recently sacked his long-term business partner and lawyer, Bobo Ajudua for embezzling $370,000.
However, reacting, the singer said, that was not the case.
He clarified that they are still friends even though they are no longer business partners.
”This was not the case at all! We are still very good friends! In business, things evolve and change all the time! Please, everyone disregard this narrative.”

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