The talent base in Rivers State could be a better asset base especially for export, an investor in the real estate sector, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has said.
The investor, who is the CEO of the Housing and Construction Mayor Limited, spoke after he listened to the Rivers State Government Choir last weekend where he was later installed as the patron and hononary member of the Ensemble.
The man known as a real estate success strategist said it was sad that what seemed to ooze out from the state were oil/gas and politics laced with violence instead of talents that abound.
He gave a message about the place of talents in the state, saying: “My message is that Nigeria has the best of the best in talent, art, music, and culture. What is wrong is that we have been carried away by politics and eking out a living that we tend to neglect these things.
“Neglect leads to death and whatever you neglect dies. So, my message to Nigerians is, don’t neglect the rich heritage of where we come from; especially our skills and talents. You will be surprised how much more that would get us to our destination than politics and the like.”
Some of the talents in the music and entertainment industry from Rivers State include Mercy Johnsons, Hilda Dokubo, Yibo Koko, Julius Agwu, Duncan Mighty, Sam Dede, the Isakaba man, and of late, Burna Boy. But many may never know that a big voice asset is an ensemble in the womb of power, the Brick House, which is the Government House of Rivers State. Yet, many only reckon with power, crisis, and threat from the seat of power over the years.
Reacting after his installation, China said he was very privileged to be so conferred with the award of Patron of the Government House Choir because the onus and responsibility of taking the best part and the best light from Rivers State to the rest of the world is an honour to him.
“And, it is a privilege I find very rare. It is rather like a spiritual conferment on me than a choral role from this or any other choral group for that matter. I feel like a man called into ecclesiastical mission.
“This will spur me to, not only make sure they get all the resources and personnel they need to be world class, but to ensure that they are seen as world class. This is because we live in a 21st century reality that nobody sees or values you if you are not known. It is my onus to make sure that this beautiful choir in this Government House in this beautiful entity called Rivers State is known all over the world as the best of what Rivers State has to export.”
Giving insight into the status of the Ensemble in the Government House, the Music Director, Enitoun Ezekiel Iyalla, said the umbrella body of the Government House Choir is the Riv-Harmonious Mission Ensemble.
He went on: “The Rivers State Government, at the initial stage, requested we prepare for them in the services of the Chapel 50-man Ensemble (Choir, Band & Mini Orchestra). At the final stage of actualisation, after the construction of the Chapel, the available space was 26, for only Choir & Band.
“From the pool of over 60 strong singers and instrumentalists, we service the music arm of the Government House Chapel Ensemble, based on the available space of 26.
“The Choir moves out when representing the State Government or on an exclusive Government Programme. Also, in very selective outings in stand-up performances or own concerts.
“However, for exclusively private performances, we go by our umbrella name – Riv-Harmonious Mission Ensemble.”
The coming of the Mayor of Housing is expected to expose the talents globally and attract more value.
Some of the members of the Ensemble talked on why and how the Mayor of Housing, a businessman, was found fit for inclusion into the exclusive place.
Asueiza Ezekiel Iyalla (Alto Singer) said: “In the Mayor of Housing, we saw somebody full of respect to God. We see someone that can bring value to this choir. We only had a very short meeting and he said things that would amaze us about things that can bring value to this project and this state. Working with him, we will go higher and higher.
“We appeal to other Nigerians to come and see the roles they can play to lift the talents of Rivers people. We have the best organist in Nigeria, now in Germany. If people come in, they can see exportable talents.”
His colleague, Mike Julius (Bass singer), said the Mayor of Housing, despite being in real estate, finds time for God.
“He takes out time to commune with his Maker. He is also a singer. So, we bring him closer to see the talents we have in this state. Today, he has joined the choir of the Government House and he came to see what he can do to lift it higher,” Julius said.
Yet, Kate Ogan, another member said they saw a lot of qualities in My-ACE China including his exploits promoting human capacity development in Rivers State.
“When we identified these qualities in him, we resolved after investigations to bring him closer.
“It is clear that no one person can do everything for a society or a state, so we need others to help to develop people. Let people take a cue from My-ACE China in seeking ways to develop the society.
“Some people are usually scared of business people but we are comfortable with him. We couldn’t have just brought him or anybody in without background checks or investigations. Each of us was also screened before we were accepted. We also pray before we touch anyone. We prayed and we got the leading of the spirit to go ahead.”
On assessment and comparison, the group is said unique in their own way, boasting of some of the best singers and instrumentalists.
Ezekiel said: “Consequently, our strongest uniqueness is in our culture of discipline and maturity in musical discipline and interpretation. We are currently the defending champions in the Niger Delta Choral Competition organised by the Bayelsa State Government, with the support of the NDDC.”
No doubt, with the right needed support, we are looking forward to the African and Global arena, as we have all it takes to be there.
“Uniqueness: Spirituality and musical interpretation, owning every song we sing and interpreting same with utmost dexterity and near accuracy. We don’t perform, we minister.
Help means a lot to us. Our existence has been centred on help, first from the Almighty God on whom we have our existence, and from few individuals in their capacity. But having the right backing, the sky will be our starting point.
“Unfortunately, that is what has been lagging in these parts, hence most of our few talents have decided to relocate to Lagos and Abuja, where they believe there is the right support and investment for development.
“Yes, professionals in terms of singing and occupation. We have in our midst graduates in diverse fields as well as career professionals – Business men, chartered accountants (ICAN), On Air Personalities (OAPs), entrepreneurs, etc.
“Some of us have more than 30 years of singing and instrumental careers. That is only possible with commitment, dedication, passion and basically, service to God.”
The performance that wowed the Mayor of Housing ranged from classical to the contemporary and culturally tinged choral renditions.
The surprise of the night could be the soprano solo by a man that does not see physically (vision impaired) but who is being compared with the greatest sopranos in the world, Cameroon Ayebatari.
The highlight of songs seemed to be ‘Peace, Be Still” which was dedicated to the affairs of Rivers State where peace and still waters are known to be most needed.
Then, the conferment of Patron and honorary membership to the Mayor of Housing. Those who talked to this writer from the choir said they were shocked to discover his versatility, academic brilliance (best graduating student in both secondary school in Jos with 9As and in the UNN), generosity, and above all, his fire burning spiritual life.
Beyond all this however is the determination of all concerned to promote the choir beyond being an ensemble in an enclosure. The voice that came from the locked doors need to escape to the larger Rivers society and to the world. The coming of the Mayor of Housing may ensure this, because he does not believe that good should hide for evil to outshine.
Words have never been enough to describe songs. So, it would need to hear from the ensemble to know that graces fly and perch in Rivers State but in a cubicle. The listener may not know when he would fly to the needs of origins of choral music found in traditional music like in Ancient Greece and in contemporary European choral setting. Did David not event choir music in the Bible powerful enough to calm a troubled king?
It was when the songs got to George Frideric Handel’s classical that the uninitiated rose to welcome the Alleluia messiah droplets.
The night ended pleasurably with hopes that the hiding is over and that this great asset would escape from the walls of the Chapel to the world in need of peace. This is what the Mayor of Housing has vowed to ensure. After all, he is a Un Peace Ambassador.
Now, it is expected that the talents of Rivers State will be exposed more after the Rivers Economic and Investment Summit and the resolution to use entertainment as the driver for the low hanging fruits where the Mayor of Housing is now partner to the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) headed by Yibo Koko.
China’s introduction and involvement the Choral assets in the Government House may be an avenue to further the works in the partnership with the RSTDA to expose the talents in the state and boost tourism, even as his involvement with the comedy leaders in the state is also yielding same fruits.
