Entertainment
Engr. Orlu Sets Up Film Academy In PH
The chairman of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Rivers State chapter, Engr Reginald Orlu has set up a Film Academy in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital known as Our Film Resort Academy for people who are interested in making their career in Nollywood.
The movie producer who spoke with The Tide Entertainment in his office recently, disclosed that interested candidates would be trained in all aspects of movie making such as acting, production, directing, cinematography, costumering, make-up, set and props etc.
He stressed that already the academy has registered some candidates and training has commenced. According to him, there is no age limit and academic qualification is not a barrier. He noted that the academy is interested in those who have the talent in any area of their choice who could be groomed to stardom as well as providing job opportunities to them.
The AMP chairman reiterated that the academy will start with shooting of soap operas which will be aired in the Rivers Sate Television (RSTV) continually before going into shooting of movies. According to him, before this year runs out, movies shot by the academy would be in the market while not less than 1000 persons will be given job opportunities.
Engr Orlu also stated that plans had been concluded to acquire land for the permanent site of the academy and to create shooting areas for the movies. He contended that already some organizations such as Indomie, Pabod Breweries, Coca Cola etc have indicated interest to support the activities of the academy, while Rasa Hotels Limited has been of great help to Nollywood in the state.
He also disclosed that the inauguration of the academy is slated for the 23
rd of August 2013 at Lezoon Hotel, Iwofe Road Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt which would be preceded by a road show on the 22nd of August 2013. Some top Nollywood stars are expected to grace the inaugural ceremony.
Those expected at the ceremony include Fabian Adibe, Cynthia Okereke, Stella Ukwuegbu, John Okafor (Mr Ibu) and the AGN chairman, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Victor Osuagwu. Others are Columbus Iriosoanga, Gentle Jack, Walter Anger and Elder Okike amongst others.
The Ikwerre, Rivers State-born actor and film maker maintained that the academy which is the first of its kind in the state has come to stay and would not only help to groom young talents in the industry, but would help to improve on the acting career of upcoming stars.
He therefore urged those interested in making a career in Nollywood to utilize this rare opportunity instead of going to non-professionals for training. He stressed that what Wale Adenuga of the Super Stories fame is doing in Lagos is what he intends to do here in Rivers State.
On the activities of AMP in the state, he said the Association is faced with a lot of challenges which include lack of sponsorship, high cost of shooting films and poor returns as well as high cost of premiering films in cinemas and cost of acquiring ownership rights amongst others. He said these are major hindrances which have drastically reduced film production in the state.
On the N3 billion doled out to Nollywood by President Goodluck Jonathan, the AMP chairman said since the president released the money, Nollywood had been holding series of meetings on how to disburse the money, but up till date nothing positive has come out of their deliberations.
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.
-
News6 hours agoSERAP Sues Govs, FCT Minister Over Security Vote Spending
-
News7 hours agoAkande Proffers solution to insecurity in Nigeria
-
Sports4 hours agoMan of The Match award Excites Nwabali
-
Sports4 hours agoTinubu Lauds Super Eagles’ after AFCON bronze triumph
-
News7 hours agoRSG Sets Up Panel To Investigate Alleged Extortions At College Of Nursing Sciences
-
Sports3 hours agoAFCON: Lookman gives Nigeria third place
-
Niger Delta5 hours agoINC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
-
Sports4 hours agoFulham Manager Eager To Receive Iwobi, Others