After Mayor Of Housing Emerged Patron, Rivers Govt House Choir Ready For Export
4 min read
Away from the stench of political and leadership crises that have oozed out of Rivers State in the recent past, a new season of an unfolding gospel tourism wrapped with a bouquet of sweet melodies and spirit soaked worship performances from the Government House Chapel Choir, will soon become a product for export.
By implication, some piece of good news is now to come from Rivers State, after months of political witch-hunting and bickering, according to leaders of the Government House Choir, the Riv-Harmonious Mission Ensemble, who recently crowned the Mayor of Port Harcourt, My- ACE China, as their patron.

His installation as patron comes with great expectations, as they look forward to a reinvigoration of the the choral group and re-introduction of the singing team to the world.
Kate Ogan, a media personality and one of the key players in the choir ensemble said China came into the picture after very painstaking profiling. “We 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.”
She told journalists in Port Harcourt that some people were usually scared of business people, but was quick to add that the Government House Choir was comfortable with him for various reasons.
“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 to go ahead.”
Another member, Mr Asueiza Ezekiel Iyalla, who sings in the alto segment said they saw in the Mayor of Housing, somebody full of respect for 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.”
Reacting after the presentation of his induction plaque, China who was accompanied by his wife, Chidinma, described his entry into the group as an ecclesiastical mission.
He said it was a huge privilege for him to be recognized and inducted as patron of the choral group, adding that he owed them the responsibility of taking them to the world. “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.”
He said Nigeria had the best of the best in talents, arts, 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.”
The music director, Enitoun Ezekiel Iyalla, a former chairman of Ahoada West Local Government and founder of royal male choir said at the event that the group was made of professionals in terms of singing and occupation.
“They have graduates in diverse fields as well as career professionals – businessmen, chartered accountants, On Air Personalities (OAPs), entrepreneurs, etc. Some of them have more than 30 years of singing and instrumental careers. That is said to be only possible with commitment, dedication, passion and basically, service to God.”
The song, ‘Peace, Be Still” which was dedicated to the affairs of Rivers State where peace and still waters are known to be most needed, was rendered by the group as part of the installation renditions.