The Port Harcourt Male Ensemble

The Port Harcourt Male Ensemble (PHME) is an All-Male Choir with the aim of reaching out to the world through music and to achieve the highest level of music production and performance. PHME engages music as a vital tool in delivering messages of hope, love, unity and peace in its country Nigeria, and the world over.

PHME was conceived in 1998 and subsequently inaugurated in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, in May 2001. The choir has provided Nigerian youths with avenues to put their energies into creative use in the art of music, rather than social vice, inspired by its Music Director, Bob Amunye.

Bob Amunye is a music Instructor, director, composer, arranger, organist and pianist and a lover of sports. He gained a Bachelor degree in church music at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria. He graduated with distinction and won five outstanding awards - the best degree student award, the best music student award of the Faculty of Music, the best pianist award, the award for choral arranging, and the most prestigious award of the overall best student award of the graduating class.

The PHME is recognized internationally for its efforts to positively affect its primary community and the world at large with its message of Peace, Unity, Hope and Development. In its journey across the nations, PHME recently visited Malaysia (Melaka), for the World Assembly of Youth International Dialogue, as the special guest performers. After its performance (Arise O Youths! and Peace For All Nations, both composed by Bob Amunye) the Malaysian Defence Minister, Hon. Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the representative of the Malaysian Prime Minister, and other guests, were impressed with the message of peace and the medium PHME are using to communicate it. The Minister pointed out that in the news all he hears about Nigeria is about terrorism and violence, and he commented;

“We appreciate this Fine Team of Youth who have added unprecedented value to this year’s event, I am glad to be physically present to experience these great achievements of these youth and also be a part of those who listened to this strong message from this distinguished, young and talented group from Nigeria. I would love to be part of what they are doing by supporting them in the best way I can to take this message of Peace around the World”.

PHME, is committed to the creation of music programmes as a means of transforming the world, for example its “Vote Not Fight” initiative, a non-violent campaign promoted with peace concerts.

In 2015 PHME was recognised by the Federal Government of Nigeria as one of the “Most Outstanding Youth Organizations” In Nigeria and its work was recognised by a National Award of  Excellence.