By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt
Promoters in the entertainment industry in Rivers State are building synergy to create platform for musicians and budding talents based in the state to showcase themselves to the world.
They plan to enlarge the scope and frequency of musical shows in the city for the numerous talents abounding in the industry and are bringing the ‘Light Up Port Harcourt Festival’ as one of such platforms.
The purpose of the festival, according to organisers, is to close the identified gap “which is not about dearth of talents, but about promoting the talents, and providing platforms to showcase those talents.
“This is a vision birthed on December 27, 2023, which is now a reality. It aims to sell Port Harcourt to the world by projecting Garden City talents to the world. It is not restricted to indigenes of Port Harcourt, but all of Rivers State and all those who had stints in Port Harcourt at one time or the other”, said Mr. Happy Agi, Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Light Up Port Harcourt.
The show is holding sometime in September in the heart of Port Harcourt with the latest edition being special “because it is going to be an all-Port Harcourt artistes show.”
The Light Up Port Harcourt CEO said; “We want to tell the world that we are here and that we have so many talents”.
Tonye Ibiama, CEO, Grafton Records, pioneer and major backbone of the entertainment industry in Rivers State said; “We are trying to celebrate talents in Port Harcourt music zone. Our company has always picked up talents from Port Harcourt, and Nigeria has always harvested and enjoyed musicians from Port Harcourt over the decades.
“We have tried to create platforms for Port Harcourt artistes to show themselves to the world.
“The platform called ‘Climax Night’ produced Burna Boy that is now the king of Africa. The truth is, no platform, no talent.
“The drive is not only for national artistes but for upcoming ones. We expect the city to help nurture Port Harcourt artistes. We are here to let the world know this. I am particularly appealing for support”.
On his part, K.O. Baba Jorsen a stand up comedian said some of them in the industry were supporting the project “enthusiastically because it is focused on Port Harcourt. It is Port Harcourt-centric.
“We are committed to promoting Port Harcourt. This is because Port Harcourt is far from maximizing its potentials”.
Budding musical talents are upbeat about the opportunity of the project expressing optimism that the platform will be a launch pad for their dream music career.
