Entertainment

Commissioner Tasks Movie Producers On Good Scripts

Published

10 years ago

January 29, 2016

In a bid to boost movie
production in Rivers State, the Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, has assured members of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) Rivers State chapter of the ministry’s willingness to partner the Association and take the industry to the next level.
The commissioner gave the assurance during an interactive session with members of the association in her office on Wednesday, The commissioner who stated that she is a lover of the movie industry, said she is jealous of Lagos, Enugu and Asaba where the movie industry thrives, and that she keeps praying and hoping that one day the movie industry in the state will get to that stage or even beyond.
She noted that the ministry would also help by calling on hotel owners and other hospitality operators to give a rebate to the movie producers to help cut down on their cost of production, provided they have a good script and marketable storyline.
On the issue of film village, the commissioner disclosed that the state government is interested in establishing a film village to boost the movie industry in the state. She however urged them to always come with good ideas to the ministry for them to look at as to know the areas to assist. She commended the Association on their efforts toward the growth of the industry despite the daunting challenges they face in the process. She called on members of the association to encourage their colleagues in Lagos, Enugu and Asaba to come back home as there is adequate security and enabling environment for film making in the state.
Also speaking, the permanent secretary, Mr. Micheal Ejihuo disclosed that he has a passion for the movie industry and that the ministry is ready to partner with the association. He noted that all over the world the movie industry is in vogue because it is a money spinner. He however noted one of the areas the ministry is ready to come in, is through regulation in order to protect the intellectual rights of the producers against pirates.
The permanent secretary noted that Rivers State is a heterogeneous state with several ethnic nationalities. Therefore the association should try to bring all together so as to achieve a greater height. According to him, the Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba promote their culture through their film, Rivers State should also do so if we must be a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
The permanent secretary also urged the movie producers to write good scripts with interesting storylines which they could take to the banks, if the script is good, the banks will invest in the production of the film because both the producers and the bank would be sure of getting back their money with profit.
Earlier in his address the Chairman Association of Movie Producers, (AMP) Rivers State Chapter, Mr Fisim Lawson Young Arney noted that the association had done a lot on their own to keep the flag flying even when most of their colleagues had left the state to other cities like Lagos, Enugu and Asaba to seek for a greener pasture as movies are shot in such cities almost on daily basis.
According to him the association has approached most of the multinational companies and organisations to come to their aid, but to no avail, hence the decision to approach the ministry. which happens to be their parent body to partner with the association to save the industry from decline.
He appealed to the ministry to reach out to hotel owners to cut-down their charges to enable the association use their facilities. He said other hospitality outfits should also give them rebate to enable them meet other challenges.
He stressed that movie making is capital intensive and the producers takes the risk of financing the movie, they bear the financial burden of the cast the crew, logistics etc at the end they may not be able to recover their capital.
He disclosed that over areas of concern include the nefarious activities of pirates who rob them of their profit by pirating their movies as well quacks who go about producing sub standard movies thereby killing the image of the industry in the state.
He therefore called on the ministry to regulate the industry in order to flush out the pirates and quack producers which is the only way to move the industry forward and give it a pride of place in the Nigerian movie industry.

Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

4 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

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.

Entertainment

Adekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies

Published

4 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

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.

Entertainment

Jesse Flames Opens 2026 With ‘Praise The Lord’ Featuring Magnito

Published

4 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

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.