Entertainment
Rivers State Born Entertainers On Parade
The Nigerian
Entertainment clan has come a long way with a lot of achievements to show for it. In Rivers State, the vibrant entertainment industry boasts of top stars in music, movie and comedy. These showbiz personalities have helped to boost the industry as they are regular features at shows, concerts and other social events. They are also stars to be reckoned with outside the state as a result of their exploits in their various fields of endeavour. Among the Rivers State-born movie stars include:-
Sam Dede:- This hunk actor is one of the pioneers of the make believe industry in both Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. The ‘Issakaba hero’ and lecturer of Threatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt has featured in most of the best movies in Nollywood. One of his recent movies titled ‘Grass Market’ also featured top stars such as Nobert Young and Emmanuel Okutuate which was premiered in Silverbird Cinemas Port Harcourt between February 19th and 25th this year.
Columbus Irosoanga:- This Okirika, Rivers State born top Nollywood actor and Theatre Arts lecturer at University of Port Harcourt has helped to groom up coming artistes. His acting career started in the early 80s when he featured in various soap operas with other top actors such as Comish Ekiye in Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and also took part in dramas at the Rivers State Council for Arts and Culture. He is one of the showbiz personalities to contend with in the industry.
Hilda Dokubo:- The entertainment clan in Rivers State is incomplete without sultry actress Hilda Dokubo who has come a long way. From acting she became a Special Assistant to former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili. She started her movie career as a child actress and was featured in many Nollywood movies and currently runs an NGO titled Centre for Creative Education in Port Harcourt which helps to train people for job creations.
She also uses the organisation to encourage the Niger Delta youths to embrace peace rather than militancy.
Ibinabo Fiberesima:- The beautiful Nollywood super actress and former beauty queen is currently the chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Rivers State Chapter. The friendly and unassuming Ibinabo is the franchise owner of Miss Earth Nigeria and also anchors big events amongst other social activities.
Millicent Jack: She is another top practitioner in Nollywood. She is currently the vice chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Rivers State Chapter. Pretty Millicent is also the African Movie Academy (AMAA) Best custumier for 2009. She is well known in the make believe industry because of her professionalism in the industry.
Gentle Jack: His muscular physique is a reference point in Nollywood though he refused to admit that his towering height and intimidating biceps have stereotyped him. Kalabari, Rivers State born Gentle Jack has won the Abuja carnival king twice and has featured in uncountable movies. The Gentle giant also runs a body fitness equipment outfit.
Tonto Dike:- Ikwerre Rivers State born screen diva, Tonto Dike is one of the most controversial actresses in Nollywood as she is always enmeshed in one controversy or the other. Despite that, she is a favourite of most producers because of her prowess in role interpretation.
Monalisa Chinda:- This lady needs no introduction not just because she is an actress and a beautiful one indeed, but because she is been quite successful in her chosen field. However, this Glo Ambassador was recently enmeshed in a divorce matter with her erstwhile husband Segun Dejo Richards. The beautiful Ikwerre born Nollywood top actress has featured in many Nollywood movies.
The Music Industry:- Among those that hold sway in the music industry in the state are:
Duncan Mighty:- Ikwerre born Duncan Mighty is a king not only in the south-south but in Lagos, the mainstream of entertainment. He is loved for his music, style and dance steps. He performs well in any concert within and outside Port Harcourt. His latest album titled ‘Ahamefula’ is making waves in the music industry.
Lexy M :- This Ogoni, Rivers State born music sensation is the current chairman of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Rivers State Chapter.
He won the best Highlife Musical Artiste of the year 2009 at Odudu music Award. He has a new album titled ‘Eleni’ which has 12 tracks.
Peter Stonecold:- Peter Stone cold is a very popular musician in Rivers State. He won Gyration category at the Odudu Awards with his.
popular, ‘Hold Your Waste’ song. He is very good in stage performance and will soon be dropping his next album.
Sotty:- This Buguma, River State born pretty singer took the music clan by storm with her debut album titled ‘malaria. She is a very good musician and has topped the African Fusion top chart videos on NTA2 Channel 5 severally and she is doing very well in her music career.
Muma Gee:- Gift Iyumame Uwame aka Muma Gee is a prodigious artiste with a celestial knack for the genuine and the resplendent. Her emergence in the music scene in Nigeria marked a decisive turning point in an era that has witnessed a death of authentic music native to the Nigerian audience.
Her style of music shows a pristime stylistic performance pattern original to the African people and ends carrying its rhythm. Something different from the westernised musical contraption that is now common stance in the industry. No wonder she has many awards for her musical talent.
Comedy Clan
For the comedy clan we have the following stars.
Julius Agwu:- This top comedian is one of the forces to be reckoned with in the stand up comedy clan. His past was symbolised by thorny pathway. He actually started his comic business in school at Uniport, but when he later came to Lagos he lived the life of a nomad until his break through came. Today, he is a millionaire and dines with society top brass. This very busy comedian is still actively cracking ribs at the moment, but still finds time to hang out with friends, fans and well wishers. Apart from comedy, he is also into music and acting.
Tekena Iyalla:- This graduate of marketing is popularly known as chief of waterside and one of the Funky 4+1 members on Rythym 93.7 FM which airs every Friday. He is also the winner of music comedy category for his comedy titled ‘Handbag’. Tekena is a talented comedian and his dress sence is very commendable.
Dan D Humorous: Born Daniel C. Nwoka is a multitalented stand up comedian who delivers his jokes in a unique way. He had a festival of comedians recently tagged ‘Good Boy Gone Better. He is a member of the Funky 4+1 on Rhythm 93.7FM and a graduate of linguistics.
Prince Hezekiah:- The Buguma born comedian started comedy in 2001 in Port Harcourt. Good in Gospel concerts, he also anchors ‘Make Your Day’ in AIT, Laffo Roma, he is now on Ray Power 106.5 FM and anchors launch hour comedy show tagged Laugh and Jamz.
To be continued Additional reports from City People.
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes becomes Nollywood’s highest-grossing film of 2025, earning ?1.77bn in under four weeks.
Multi-award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, the numbers speak louder than applause.
Her latest film, Behind The Scenes, has officially emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2025, pulling in an astonishing ?1.767 billion in less than four weeks.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Funke Akindele Makes Box Office History as Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn
Earlier in its release cycle, the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, revealed that Behind The Scenes smashed five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross ever recorded on Boxing Day, with ?129.5 million in one day. That announcement already hinted that something unusual was unfolding.
Reacting to the milestone, FilmOne described the moment as both surreal and communal, crediting audience loyalty for pushing the film to the top spot once again as the number-one movie of the weekend. And that sentiment feels accurate. This wasn’t just ticket sales; it was momentum.
What makes this achievement even more striking is that Behind The Scenes is Funke Akindele’s third film to cross the ?1 billion mark. Before now, there was A Tribe Called Judah, and then Everybody Loves Jenifa, a film that didn’t just open big, but went on to become the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time. At this point, it’s no longer a fluke. It’s a pattern.
Part of Behind The Scenes’ success lies in strategy. The film enjoyed advanced screenings on December 10 and 11, quietly building curiosity and conversation before its nationwide release on December 12. By the time it officially hit cinemas, audiences already felt like they needed to see it.
Then there’s the cast. The film brings together a lineup that feels deliberately stacked: Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, and several others. Familiar faces, strong fan bases, and performances that kept word-of-mouth alive long after opening weekend.
Still, beyond timing and casting, there’s something else at work here. Funke Akindele understands Nigerian audiences. Their humour, their pacing, their emotional buttons. She doesn’t guess, she calculates, experiments, listens, and refines. That understanding has slowly turned into box-office dominance.
Behind The Scenes crossing ?1.77 billion isn’t just another headline; it’s confirmation. Funke Akindele has moved from being a successful actress to becoming one of the most reliable commercial forces Nollywood has ever produced. Three-billion-naira films don’t happen by luck. They happen when storytelling, business sense, and audience trust align.
And right now, that alignment seems firmly in her hands.
Popular Nigerian music stars, Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simi, have become parents again this time to twins.
The award-winning singer shared the joyful update on his Snapchat story on Wednesday, confirming the expansion of their family.
“Asked God for another child and he blessed me double,” she wrote.
While the couple has not yet disclosed the gender of the newborns, the announcement has sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from admirers, fellow celebrities, and industry colleagues.
Speculation had intensified in December when Simi posted a video on Instagram accompanied by the caption, “From my baby, for my babies.”
The clip showed her with a growing baby bump, fueling anticipation that another child was on the way.
Their latest blessings arrive just weeks after Simi highlighted a scene from Adekunle Gold’s newly released music video, “My Love is the Same,” further stirring excitement among fans.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Adekunle Gold and Simi who tied the knot in 2019 after a long history of friendship and musical synergy remain one of Nigeria’s most admired entertainment power couples. Both artistes were once signed to X3M Music before soaring into mainstream acclaim.
The pair welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.
After closing out 2025 with the release of “Praise the Lord” featuring Magnito, Jesse Flames enters the new year with renewed clarity and purpose, continuing to build a body of work rooted in intention rather than noise. In a moment where Afrobeats is moving faster and louder than ever, his approach remains measured and deliberate, prioritizing meaning, craft, and longevity over momentary attention. The official music video arrives January 10.
Following the momentum of his breakout single “FLEX,” “Praise the Lord” represents a shift from celebration to grounding. Reflective and soulful, the record centers gratitude, growth, and perspective, capturing a quieter confidence that resonates beyond a single moment.
“This song is about recognizing the full picture,” Jesse shares. “The work people see and the work they don’t. The lessons, the setbacks, the growth.”
The collaboration with Magnito, a respected voice in Nigerian hip hop known for his sharp lyricism and cultural authenticity, adds depth and weight to the record, reinforcing its themes of resilience, faith, and self reflection.
Released in December at the height of Detty December, “Praise the Lord” became a natural soundtrack for both celebration and reflection as the year came to a close. With the video arriving in January, the record takes on new meaning, opening the year as a tone setter rather than a reset.
Born in the United States, raised in Festac, Lagos, and now based in London, Jesse Flames brings a global perspective to his sound, blending Afrobeats, hip hop, and melodic soul into something sleek and intentional. His music reflects lived experience and cultural nuance rather than trend chasing.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with over 11 million streams, performances at O2 Brixton Academy and OVO Arena Wembley, and coverage from The Guardian and Business Post Nigeria, Jesse’s rise has been steady and self made. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, he is preparing for collaborations with Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, and Smurlee.
“Praise the Lord” ft. Magnito is available now on all streaming platforms.
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