Entertainment
KHAMFEST 2025 Records Cultural Revival And Economic Boost in Khana
The just concluded annual fiesta tagged KHAMFEST 2025 (Khana Music and Cultural Festival) has been widely described as a landmark cultural celebration that successfully united tradition, talent discovery, entertainment, and community development across Khana Local Government Area.
The five-day festival, which attracted thousands of residents, visitors, performers, and stakeholders, opened in a grand style with a colourful ceremony crowned by spectacular fireworks, setting the tone for days of cultural pride and vibrant celebration.
Throughout the festival, cultural displays from different communities in Khana took center stage, showcasing traditional dances, costumes, music, and storytelling that reflected the rich heritage of the people.
These performances drew admiration from both young and old, reinforcing cultural identity and intergenerational connection.
The Tide Entertainment reports that one of the most emotionally touching highlights of the KHAMFEST 2025 was the Christmas Carol Competition, which featured choirs from selected churches across the local government.
During the event, a remarkable moment of talent discovery occurred when 11-year-old Emmanuel Gracious from Nyorngor Luekun was given the opportunity to sing. His outstanding vocal performance caught the attention of the Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Chief Thomas Bariere, PhD, the Mene Fiinor 1 of Khana, who was visibly moved by the young boy’s gift. In a historic gesture, the Chairman publicly announced that the local government would fully cater for Emmanuel Gracious’ educational needs until the completion of his secondary school education, a decision that was greeted with loud applause and praise.
The festival also featured exciting sporting activities, including a keenly contested cycling competition, which saw participants race through major routes in Khana, drawing cheers from spectators and rewarding winners across different categories. Equally thrilling was the Allstars Football Knockout Tournament, which brought together football clubs from across the LGA in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere, producing deserving champions and reinforcing unity through sports.
Beyond entertainment and competition, KHAMFEST 2025 played a significant role in discovering new talents, empowering youths, and creating opportunities for performers, athletes, and creatives to shine. The festival further provided a major economic boost to local businesses, as vendors, traders, transport operators, artisans, and hospitality services recorded increased patronage throughout the event.
Importantly, the entire festival was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, with no reported incidents, reflecting the maturity of the organizers and the cooperative spirit of the people of Khana.
The Tide Entertainment reports that KHAMFEST 2025 leaves behind lasting memories of joy, cultural pride, talent empowerment, and community growth—firmly establishing the festival as a unifying platform and a powerful tool for social and economic development in Khana Local Government Area.
It would be recalled that the closing ceremony also ended on a high note with another dazzling fireworks display, symbolizing unity, peace, and hope for the future.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.