Entertainment
… As PH Traders Count Losses
As the harmattan season persists, traders in Port Harcourt are counting their numerous losses due to the dry weather.
Some of the traders particularly those who deal on fruits and vegetables told our correspondent that they had lost huge sums of money as they kept throwing away some of their goods damaged by the harsh harmattan weather.
Mrs Nwamaka Iwuchukwu, a fruit seller along Rumuogba Housing Estate Road said, “this harmattan has dealt with us. It dries the fruits especially the oranges. It makes Paw Paw look as if hot water was poured on it. This makes my customers to complain that they are not fresh fruits where as they are”.
This, she said resulted in low patronage and constant disposal of the unsold, perished items.
Mrs Florence Nwona, another trader at Fruit Garden, Kaduna Street, said she had lost thousands of Naira due to the dry weather as her fruits and vegetables dry and stink easily, making them unattractive to buyers. “there is no day I don’t take home reasonable quantity of the rejected fruits for my children and neighbours to consume.
This is minus the ones I throw away every day. It is my capital that is depreciating like that”, she said.
Another trader, Musa Ibrahim at Slaughter Market, shared the same unpleasant experience with Nwamaka and Florence but added that he usually makes up from the sale of other items like tomatoes, pepper and onions which the dry weather helps to preserve.
Meanwhile, traders in markets in Kaduna State have blamed the prevailing harmattan haze for the low patronage of their businesses.
A survey conducted by our reporter at various markets in the state capital showed that the usual high demand for goods and services in the markets had dropped drastically.
Malam Musa Adamu, a trader at Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Market, said: “The low patronage is due to the cold.
“People prefer to purchase from petty markets in the neighbourhoods rather than coming to a central business area for their needs”.
Mrs Hannatu Musa, another trader, blamed the slow pace in business activities to the refusal of traders to open their shops early enough due to the chilly weather.
“Although every trader wants to make profit, the cold has forced some of us to stay longer at home before we open our shops”, she said.
Calista Ezeaku
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.
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