Former chairman of the Performing Musician Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Robin Maja ‘De Fama’ has lauded the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on his appointment of Yibo Koko as the Director General of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), Port Harcourt.
The ex-PMAN boss who made the commendation in an interview with The Tide Entertainment recently, noted that the appointment of Yibo Koko would usher in a vibrant tourism sector that would improve the economy of the state . he said “the appointment is well deserved and a round peg in a round hole”.
“As an erudite entertainer, film actor and producer who has over the years involved in creating an entertainment galore in the state, especially during festive periods like Christmas and new year as well as Easter celebrations, the new DG will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the entertainment landscape across the state and nation at large,” he stated.
The popular musician reiterated that Yibo Koko’s drive on a popular dance called ‘Seki’ which exposes the rich cultural heritage of the Rivers people would be harnessed and showcased alongside other cultural activities in the hinterlands of the state.
He explained that within the period under review, there had not been any cultural carnival orgnaised in the state, and expressed hope that with the coming of a new DG of the state tourism agency there would be the rejuvenation of the tourism and entertainment sectors through high tech cultural carnival and explosions in the nearest future.
The ‘Papa God’ singer and ‘Robin Maja come again’ crooner of the 1996 fame, and University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) graduate of Political Science and Administration regretted that some of the laudable projects and programmes he introduced during his tenure had been abandoned.
He said “projects like” trigger to gulter”, a multi billion naira project that was supported by the grand patron of PMAN in the state and Amayanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, HRH, King Ateke Tom had been abandoned”.
He also disclosed that the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere selected 18 musicians from the state to be trained under the programme, but the programme was now in the Limbo.
The highlife music maestro maintained that the annual world music day celebration held by the Association every June as a platform to showcase upcoming artistes on stage with notable veterans of the industry had also suffered the same fate.

Jacob Obinna