Entertainment
RSTDA Prepares For Mega Carnival …Rewards Winners Of 2013 Edition
The Rivers State Tourism
Development Agency (RSTDA) is leaving no stone unturned as it prepares for this year’s mega carnival scheduled for 14th to 20th December 2014 with the them one Love-one people.
Briefing Newsmen on the programmes and modalities of the caniriv at the Golden Tulip Hotel, GRA Phase 2, last Thursday, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Dr Sam Dede disclosed that up to 500,000 people, 23 local government floats 10 costume bands and visiting troupes from all over the world are expected to take part during the event.
He also stated that musicians and chart topping performers will grace the event during the one week of fiesta. He also disclosed that for the first time there would be a Miss CARNIRIV beauty pageant a celebration of the Port Harcourt girl which is slated for the eve of the carnival on 13th December.
According to him, the focus would be to introduce the Port Harcourt beauty to the world, an event that promises alot and that will deliver a world class contest that is open, rigorious, fair and rich with style as you would expect from the Port Harcourt girl.
The Director General stressed that the theme of the carnival is one- love one people which means that we are all united as a people diverse as we are in creed and culture, and faith and opinion, he said we are celebrating our oneness as people of the greatest city in Nigeria, calm peaceful, fun filled and original.
He noted that CARNIRIV artistic policy under his administration had always being founded on creating platforms for home grown talent and CARNIRIV would contineu to open avenues for good, promising Port Harcourt talent.
He stated that the event would offer opportunities to share the big stage with the biggest artistes as well as give our designers a chance to showcase their talent when it is easier to import.
The DG disclosed that this year a new set of Band managers would carry on the spirit of the Carnival forward. The new managers are:
Lolo Wanago-centenary band, Chike Mordi, Black Gold Band, Emmaneul Abiebi, Jubilee Band, Ombo Whyte Dynamic Band, Millicent Jack, Liberation Band, Miengiye Omelu, Treasure base Band, Mike Ogundu Fusion Band.
Dr Dede also paid tribute to the former band mangers whom he described as the unsung heroes of CARNIRIV who had given their time and resources to ensuring that their bands remained buoyant and competive. They include: Prince Tonye Princewill- BlackGold Band, David Allagoa- centenary Band, Hon Otele Amakiri – Constitution Band.
Hon. Nwokocha Augustine Diamond Band, Ibiye Asime Ekong, Dynamic Band, Nelson Jaja, Jubilee band, Dame Aleruchi Cookey GAm-Liberation band, Mr Bona Seiyefa Starband and Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Treasure base band.
The agency also rewarded some of the winners of the 2013 edtion of CARNIRIV they include:
The Treasure BAse band that came 1st. they got a cheque of N3million, 2nd position Black Gold Band, they received N2million and Jubilee Band that took 3rd position received N1million.
Champions of the sand Arena, Uku Victor from Abua/Odual who came 1st got 300,000.00 while Don King Oyigbo from Emolga got N200,000.00
In his vote of thanks, the chairman Board of Directors of RSTDA Deacon Vincent Erinwo noted that the successes so far achieved by the agency in organising the CARNIRIV is absed on the impetus and passion the governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi had shown to the agency.
It said what will happen in 2014 will be monumental, massive and awesome. He said it is going to be a parting gift from the governor so we are going to ensure that the event remains memorable in the minds of people for a very long time.
The Chairman, Board of Directors of RSTDA, Deacon Vincent Erinwo (left), handing over a cheque of N3million to Treasure Base Band that won the first position. Photo: Prince Dele Obinna
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.
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