Lifestyle
London Meets Port Harcourt: Ikwerre Festival Brings Nigerian Culture To The UK

A Taste Of Port Harcourt In London: Ikwerre Festival Brings Nigerian Heritage To Britain
BY OBINNA EBOGIDI
The 2024 Ikwerre Annual Cultural Festival was a resounding success, bringing together members of the Ikwerre community in the UK for a vibrant celebration of their rich heritage. Held on Saturday, August 24th, at Danson Park in Bexleyheath, the event was a testament to the enduring spirit of the Ikwerre people.
They came in their best traditional outfits, showcasing the vibrant colors and intricate designs of Ikwerre attire. The festival provided a unique opportunity for Ikwerre individuals residing in the UK to connect with their roots and experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of their ancestral homeland.
The royal father of the day was HRH, Eze. Ezebunwo Geofrey Adele, the Paramount Ruler/Nyenwe Ali Rumuomasi, who added his majestic presence to the festivities.
For Winston Ogbonda, the festival was a nostalgic experience, saying: “I joined my friends, brothers, and sisters to celebrate the IKWERRE CULTURAL HERITAGE yesterday (August 24) at the 2nd IKWERRE FESTIVAL in London, 2024. Nostalgic for me as I haven’t seen this rich display in the last 15-20 years. The highlight was Egelege, Native Soup (Miniwiri), reconnecting with friends and making new connections.”
The event was a kaleidoscope of color, music, and dance, with attendees donning their finest traditional attire. Ikwerre children born and raised in the UK were able to experience firsthand the customs and traditions of their kinsmen back home. Some even took to the stage to speak the Ikwerre language, earning admiration from the guests.
The festival featured an array of traditional dances, including the thrilling egelege, a traditional wrestling bout that showcased the strength and agility of the Ikwerre people. The scenery was superb, with plenty of delicious food and drink to go around.
Read also : Ikeji Festival: Mirroring The Past, Present And The Future Of Igbo Cultural Heritage
One of the highlights of the festival was the ecstatic performance by Chimburuoma Chi, who wowed the crowd with her energetic and captivating stage presence. Her performance added to the electric atmosphere of the event, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. The memories of this year’s festival will linger in the hearts of participants for a long time, serving as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The event was a testament to the power of community and the enduring spirit of the Ikwerre people.
Diaspora Watch is proud to bring you the details of this momentous occasion, celebrating the vibrant culture of the Ikwerre people in the UK

Lifestyle
The Pitt, The Studio Dominate 2025 Emmy Awards

The Pitt, The Studio Dominate 2025 Emmy Awards
Hollywood’s biggest television stars gathered on Sunday night for the 2025 Emmy Awards, where two productions, The Pitt and The Studio, emerged as the night’s biggest winners.
The Pitt, a gripping medical drama set in a bustling emergency room, clinched the coveted Best Drama Series, while The Studio, a satirical comedy about Hollywood politics, not only won Best Comedy Series but also shattered Emmy records with a clean sweep across multiple categories.
In a defining moment of the ceremony, veteran actor Noah Wyle earned his first-ever Emmy after decades in television, winning Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in The Pitt.
Wyle, visibly moved, dedicated the award to healthcare workers worldwide, describing the show’s success as “a reflection of the courage and sacrifice of those who save lives every day.”
Seth Rogen’s The Studio proved unstoppable in the comedy category, taking home 13 trophies — the highest number of wins for a comedy series in a single year, according to the Television Academy.
Rogen, who co-created and starred in the show, also walked away with Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, his first Emmy.
He called the triumph “the proudest moment” of his career.
Critics have hailed The Studio for its sharp wit and insider satire, offering audiences a humorous but piercing look into Hollywood’s inner workings.
The series’ record-breaking feat now places it among the most celebrated comedies in Emmy history.
Industry watchers say the dual success of The Pitt and The Studio signals a shift in Hollywood storytelling, with both shows reflecting real-world struggles and triumphs in institutions — healthcare and entertainment — that resonate with global audiences.
The victories came against formidable contenders including Severance and Abbott Elementary, underscoring the appetite for fresh narratives that balance cultural depth with entertainment.
As the night drew to a close, the Emmy spotlight rested squarely on The Pitt and The Studio — productions that not only entertained millions but also reinforced television’s enduring power to mirror society.
Lifestyle
Jay-Z Emerges World’s Richest Musician with $2.5bn Net Worth — Forbes

Jay-Z Emerges World’s Richest Musician with $2.5bn Net Worth — Forbes
American rap icon and business mogul, Sean Carter, better known as Jay-Z, has been declared the world’s richest musician by Forbes with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion.
The Roc Nation founder’s fortune cuts across multiple ventures, including his luxury champagne brand, Armand de Brignac (Ace of Spades), cognac label D’Ussé, and his stakes in real estate, hospitality, technology, and startups.
He also reaped huge gains from the sale of music streaming platform Tidal and his former clothing line, Rocawear.
Jay-Z’s rise to the top further cements his reputation as not only a cultural force but also one of the most successful music entrepreneurs globally.
On the female side, American pop star Taylor Swift retained her crown as the richest female musician, with a net worth of $1.6 billion.
Forbes noted that Swift remains the first artist in history to attain billionaire status solely from music and touring earnings.
Lifestyle
Single Mothers Can’t Raise Boys Into ‘Proper Men’ – Jim Iyke

Single Mothers Can’t Raise Boys Into ‘Proper Men’ – Jim Iyke
Nollywood star, Jim Iyke, has stirred controversy with his recent remarks on parenting, insisting that single mothers cannot raise a boy into a “proper man” without the presence of a male figure.
Speaking during an interview with Okay 101.7 FM in Accra, Ghana, the actor argued that women are naturally built to nurture but lack the disciplinary balance needed to raise boys into men.
“A woman can’t raise a man. You can’t, you’re not built for it. A single mother cannot raise a man properly. You need a male influence – go get your brother that’s doing well or your father or even any man that you trust. There has to be a male presence in it [raising a boy child],” Iyke said.
He further maintained that boys require strict guidance from men in order to grow into disciplined adults.
“Because women are naturally built to nurture, to love. And then what you’re going to raise is a very weak man? He is going to be everything like the men that left you. You need somebody that would discipline him, tell him ‘No’ as often times as possible, and put him in the grind,” he added.
Iyke’s remarks have since triggered heated debates across social media, with some agreeing with his perspective while others accused him of undermining the struggles of single mothers who successfully raise responsible children without male support.
The actor, who has often been outspoken on social issues, did not back down on his position, stressing that the absence of a male role model leaves a critical gap in raising boys.
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