Entertainment
Expose Of Nollywood Actress, Tonto Dike
Charity Tonto Dike, an A-
list Nollywood diva was born on June 9th 1985 in Port Harcourt, the River State Capital. The Ikwerre-born beautiful actress has other nicknames: Pokolee and Tontolet. She lost her mother when she was just three years old and was brought up by her father, Mr. Sunny Dike, with love and affection as she lacked nothing in her tender age.
After her primary and secondary education, she proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RUST), Port Harcourt, where she graduated with a B.Sc in Petrochemical Engineering.
In 2005, she competed against other contestants on a reality TV show called, “The Next Movie Star,” where she was the first runner-up while Kingsley Ogboson won the first position. Her second movie appearance was in “Holy cross” which also featured Nollywood stars such as Nonso Diobi, Pete Edochie, Jim Iyke, Desmond Elliot, Nkiru Sylvanus and Larry Cold Weath, amongst others.
This movie propelled her to stardom as more movie producers and directors were willing to cast her. Charity (Tonto) Dike’s role in the movie, “Dirty Secrets,” generated controversy amongst Nigerians because the movie contains nude scenes. While some criticize her role as being untraditional and un-African, others say she is merely being professional.
In January 2011, Dike took part in a charity fashion show in Lagos with Banky W., Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, among others. Tonto was known as a controversial actress in Nollywood as well as a chain smoker and had started smoking since the age of 14, but she stopped smoking after prayers with Pastor T.B. Joshua via his Christian television station, Emmanuel TV.
Tonto Dike has featured in countless movies among which are: “Tea or coffee (2006) “Pound and Dollars” (2006), “Missing Rib” (2007), “Divine Grace” (2007), “Final Hour” (2007), “7 Graves” (2007), “Crisis” in Paradise” (2007), “Insecurity” (2007), “Away Match” (2007), “Games Fools Play” (2007), Plain Truth” (2008), “Love My Way (2008), “Before The Fall” (2008), “Total Love” (2008). “Strength to Strength (2008), “Missing Child” (2009), “Native Son” (2009), “Dangerous Beauty” (2009), “My Fantasy” (2010), and “Dirty Secret” (2010), “Black Berry Babes,” Criminal Widow” 1&2 etc.
Others are:- “Zara”,
“Last Mission”, “Rush Hour,” “Fatal Mistake”, “Family Disgrace,” Miss Maradona,” “Mortal Desire”, Terror Of A Widow 3&4 .
Apart from acting, Tonto is also into music as some of her colleagues in the make believe industry, such as Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Chukwuka-Apkota, Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee), John Okafor/(Mr Ibu), Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) amongs others. She had once featured in a music owned by Amaco Investments where she and Patience Ozokwor were called to mime the song.
Tonto made her debute in the music industry by releasing singles which include Hi and Ht over featuring Snypa, while many lauded her efforts, the songs were trailed by controversy as critics especially questioned her vocal ability. Doubts were raised on whether her decision to try her hands on music was for the best.
Nevertheless, the songs enjoyed steady air play and massive downloads. Tonto showed she was not a guitar with the release of new single ‘crazicaly’ featuring Terry G, who was also the producers, then Jeje and then some more. On 13th June 2014, hip hop star, D’banj unveiled Tonto Dike under the artistes with his record label, DB records-Lee family. Other singles include ‘Ekebe’ and “Sugar rush.”
Though presently single, recent reports say the actress- cum singer’s romance with businessman, Churchill Ola Kunle Oladunni (Mr.X) may finally lead to the alter she is said to be wearing a ring on her engagement ring finger and during a recent interview, the “Dirty Secrets” Star confirmed that she would be getting married soon. According to our source, she might be opting for a low key wedding to avoid drama.
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.