Rapper President EMS stole the spotlight as the IBB Square in Makurdi came alive at the weekend when thousands of residents and visitors gathered for the Benue@50 Concert, organised by the Benue State Government as part of activities marking the State’s 50th anniversary and the 60th birthday celebration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The concert attracted an estimated crowd of more than 10,000 people and featured performances by some of Nigeria’s leading music stars, including Mr P of the former P-Square duo, Peruzzi, Magnito and Jumabee.
Despite sharing the stage with some of the country’s biggest entertainers, emerging rapper President EMS delivered one of the evening’s most talked-about performances, drawing an enthusiastic response from the large audience.
With a confident stage presence, energetic delivery and strong audience engagement, the rapper held the attention of concertgoers throughout his performance, earning sustained applause as fans sang along and waved their phone lights across the venue.
Several attendees who spoke after the event described President EMS as one of the breakout performers of the night, noting that his performance stood comfortably alongside those of the headline acts.
The concert formed part of a series of events organised by the Benue State Government to commemorate the creation of the state in 1976 and celebrate Governor Alia’s 60th birthday. The festivities included cultural displays, official engagements and entertainment programmes designed to showcase the state’s heritage and creative industry.
Security personnel maintained order throughout the event as thousands of music lovers filled the venue for what many described as one of the largest open-air entertainment gatherings in Makurdi in recent years.
The Benue@50 Concert brought together established stars and emerging talents on one stage, highlighting the growing role of live entertainment in promoting culture, tourism and youth engagement across the State.
