Entertainment

Nyekachi Douglas Dazzles At MBGN Pageant …Wins 2019 Crown

Published

6 years ago

October 18, 2019

Although the 2019 edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria(MBGN) pageant has come and gone, the news of the glamours night of beauty, excitement, glitz, and razzmatazz that marked the event is still trending in the social media and amongst the society of fun lovers across the country.
The 32nd edition of the beauty pageant organised by the Silverbird group in partnership with the Bayelsa State Government and an international organisation was held on Friday, October 11,2019 at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenegoa and attracted a humongous audience, including the founder of Silverbird group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, a constellation of stars from the show biz and the fashion world.
The 2019 MBGN attracted over 52,000 entries out of which 37 contestants representing the 36 States of Nigeria and Abuja emerged to contest for the crown of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2019.
Before the d-day, the contestants spent two weeks in camp and visited important places in the state such as the Steve Azaiki Public Library and Tulip Castle Hotel, they also participated in camp orientation fitness day and visit by the Bayelsa State Government.
The event night kicked off with the red carpet segment, while the pageant proper began as the hosts of the annual event mounted the stage. They were ace comedian, actor and producer, Bovi Yonina and Layole Oyatogu, actress, compere and media personality .
The 37 contestants were later paraded on stage for the first time where they mesmerized the audience with their catwalks, natural endowments and amazing beauty. This was followed by other appearances on stage for the choreography,traditional wear, swim wear and evening wear segments.
The award category followed next as winners emerged after the stage appearances. The winners were Miss Amity, Nyekachi Douglas (Rivers), National Costume, Michelle Nwagbara (Abia), Miss Photogenic, Folakemi Yunusa (Kwara), Best Talent, Temitope Are(Ogun), Face is Lush, Afuru Cynthia (Adamawa) and Best Evening Wear,Olutosin Araromi
This stage was marked by the fall of the judges hammer as 22 out of the 37 contestants qualified for the semi- finals. At this semi final stage, 10 out of the 15 semi finalists, were chopped and the Top 5 finalists emerged.
They were Nyekachi Douglas (Rivers), Akeela Ominu (Edo), Becky Ogene (Bayelsa), Olutosin Aroromi (Taraba) and Pamela Ifejioku (Abuja).
This final stage was the melting point of the well attended pageant.
The A-class judges, namely, Isoken Guobadia, Frank Oshodi, Richard Balogun, Tom Alazigha, Ebizi Ndiomu. Brown Precious Side-Duke and Olga Isvinkun Defreitas Cabral had a hectic time in selecting the winner of the highly contested crown as all the finalists were considered beautiful and enchanting.
The finalists were chilled at the end as a winner finally emerged as the judges unamionously declared Miss Rivers, Douglas as the 32nd MBGN queen, having defeated 36 other contestants.
Nyekachi was crowned amidst cheers and jubilation by the outgoing queen, Anita Ukah assisted by the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism Development and Entertainment, Senator Murray-Bruce and 2019 Mr. Nigeria, Nelson Enwerem.
The queen who also won the Miss Amity Award was rewarded with a brand new car, cash prize and other gifts. She will represent Nigeria at the 69th edition of Miss World pageant scheduled to hold at the Excel London, United Kingdom on Saturday December 14th 2019.
Other winners at the event were Olutosin Araromi (Taraba) MBGN Universe, Pamela Ifejiokie (Abuja), MBGN Tourism and Akeela Aminu (Edo) MBGN universe.
Nyekachi Douglas hails from Ibaa Community in Emohua Local Government Area (Emolga) of Rivers State. She is a free lance model based in America.
With her new crown, it is expected that she would not only be successful in her career, but will spread love, joy and confidence as she represents Nigeria in the global stage.
It would be recalled that the pageant was originally called Miss Universe Nigeria when it started in 1983, but gained attention where it was later changed to MBGN in 1984.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

14 hours 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

15 hours 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

15 hours 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.