Entertainment

Peace Returns To PMAN, Rivers Chapter

Published

12 years ago

November 1, 2013

Peace has finally returned
to the performing Musicians Employees Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter as a result of the reconciliation of the two main warring factions of the association by a former chairman of PMAN in the state, Mr. Lexy Mueka, popularly known as Lexy M.
Addressing the press after the reconciliatory meeting held on Wednesday, at No. 2 Bernard Carr Street, Port Harcourt, Lexy M disclosed that the team transformation led by Lady I.B and the restoration team led by Comrade Sample Sirah both agreed to bury the hatchet and work together as a team in the interest of the association which is above individual ambitions.
The Ogoni, Rivers State born front line musician contended that it was the only way the association could redeem its battered image as a result of the leadership tussle and move forward as a body towards the actualization of its lofty goals.
He observed that it was the leadership crisis that rocked the association for sometime now that led to its relegation. According to him, some disgruntled members of the association wanted the crisis to continue so that they could perpetuate themselves in office for their selfish interests.
He expressed happiness that the ugly era was over for good and the association could now move forward and recover its lost glory from both the state government and other interest groups.
He assured that with the present development, the next election of the association would be the sweetest since all true members would be working as one. “It is going to be one PMAN and one election”, he said.
Lexy M debunked the allegation that Alhaji Asari Dokubo had a hand in the crisis that crippled activities in the musicians’ body and described it as malicious falsehood. According to him, Alhaji Dokubo is one of the strongest pillars of the association. He stated that as a patron of the Association Alhaji Dokubo has selflessly financed the association and contributed towards a strong, united, stable and progressive PMAN in Rivers State.
The former chairman described Asari as a builder of PMAN in the state and not a destroyer, therefore no body should rope him into the crisis for what ever personal reasons. He stressed that those members who are against the unity and progress of the association and welfare of its members deliberately absented themselves from the reconciliatory meeting which was well publicized.
Fielding questions the factional leader of the restoration team, Comrade Sample Sireh who attended the meeting with some of his members, said the peaceful resolution of the crisis was a right step in the right direction. He assured that his group was ready to work with the new executive led by Lady I.B as chairman, since there is no more faction in the body, but one united, peaceful and indivisible PMAN in the state.
A former secretary of PMAN in the state and originator of News paper music. Mr Jah Best who also attended the meeting lauded the positive intervention of Lexy M, which he said has restored lasting peace and unity in the association. He maintained that the musicians body can now move in the same direction for the common goal and interest of all members.
The incumbent chairman of PMAN in the state, Lady I.B expressed appreciation to members of the restoration team for their peaceful disposition and recognition of her executive. She assured that her administration would restore the image of the association and take it to a higher level, usher in development so that people would start to accord the musicians the respect and recognition it deserves as well as do good business with members of the association in the state.
She noted that gone were the days when government and other organizations and corporate bodies operating in the state go outside to bring in artistes from other parts of the country and beyond to perform at events, while the indigenous musicians are ignored. The chairman maintained that Rivers money should be for Rivers people and not the other way round.

Lady IB, Chairman PMAN, Rivers State

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

6 days 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

6 days 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

6 days 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.