The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has moved to promote the choral assets of Rivers State as part of his commitment to commitment of the State’s tourism industry.

This after he sealed partnership deals with the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) to boost tourism through entertainment especially comedy.

The Mayor of Housing, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Housing and Construction Mayor Limited, has thus continued in his talent capital development strides of the state’s talent base as he has agreed partnership with the Rivers State Government House Ensemble to explore export potentials of the Choir.

This is as a result of his installation on Sunday as Patron and Honorary Member of the Choir.

This is said to be in furtherance of his determination to join efforts in the promotion and export of the entertainment industry in the state beginning with comedy promotion, entrepreneurship, music, and now choral assets of the state.

The real estate success strategist has continued to state that the talent base in Rivers State could be a better asset base especially for export.

The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is CEO of the Housing and Construction Mayor Limited, spoke after he listened to the Rivers State Government Choir on Sunday where he was later installed as the patron and hononary member of the Ensemble.

The ‘real estate success strategist’ said it is sad that what seems to ooze out of the state were oil/gas and politics laced in violence instead talents that abound. 

He gave a message about the place of talents in the state and said: “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 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, aka 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.

He went on: “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 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.

“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.

“For exclusive private performances, however, we go by our umbrella name – Riv-Harmonious Mission Ensemble.”

The coming of the Mayor of Housing is expected to help boost 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 Iyalla (Alto Singer) said: “In the Mayor of Housing, we saw somebody full of submission to, and respect, for God. We see someone that can bring value to this Choir. We only had a very short meeting and he said amazing 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 and business leaders to come and see the roles they can play to lift the talents in Rivers people. We have the best organist in Nigeria, now in Germany. If people come in, they can see exportable talents.”

His colleague, Mr 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.”

Yet, Kate Ogan, another member, said they saw a lot of qualities in My-ACE China including his exploits in 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 to be unique in their own way, boasting of some of the best singers and instrumentalists.

Hon Ezekiel said: “Consequently, our strongest uniqueness is in our culture of discipline and maturity in musical dexterity 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.

“Our uniqueness dwells in spirituality and musical interpretation, owning every song we sing and interpreting same with utmost dexterity and near accuracy. We don’t perform, we minister.”

The director said help means a lot to them. “Our existence has been centred on help, first from the Almighty God on whom we have our existence, and from few individuals in their capacities. But having the right backing, the sky will be our starting point.

“Unfortunately, that is what has been lacking 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.”

He explained what he meant by members being professionals.

“Yes, professionals in terms of singing and in their occupations. 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 Cameroon Ayebatari, a man that does not see physically (vision impaired) but who is being compared with the greatest sopranos in the world.

‘Peace! Be Still!!’ seemed to be the highlight of all the songs on the night. This 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 Member 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 9 As and in the UNN), generosity, and above all, his fire burning for spiritual life.

Beyond all this however is seen to be the determination of all concerned to promote the choral assets of the Govt house beyond being an ensemble in enclosure. The voice that came from the locked doors of the Chapel 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, one would need to hear from the ensemble to know that graces fly and perch in Rivers State, yet still caged in a cubicle. The listener may not know when he would be transported to the origins of choral music found in traditional music like in Ancient Greece and in contemporary European choral setting. Did David not invent choir music in the Bible powerful enough to calm a troubled king?

It was when the songs got to George Frideric Handel’s classicals 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 with 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.