Entertainment
2016: Nollywood’s Year Of Biggest Chart Bursters
Going by publicised
Box Office records alone, 2016 is turning out to be a far better year for Nigerian films than 2015. 2016 is barely few weeks away from ending and so far, after what started out slowly, it is safe to say that this has been a good year for Nollywood. Going by publicised box office records alone, it is turning out to be a far better Nigerian film year than 2015. That year’s highest grossing film, Mo Abudu’s ‘fifty’ grossed N50m. so far in 2016 three films have comfortably crossed that mark with one of them set to make double of that.
Fifty, Road to yesterday, Taxi Driver, Oko Ashewo, The First Lady, Tempting Fate and The Visit were the highest grossing films of 2015, making about N150.63million among them. That is about N11m short of the record-shattering N161m grossed by AY’s 30 days in Atlanta which has since held on to the record as the highest grossing film in Nollywood.
AY also leads the pack in 2016 with his new film, “A Trip to Jamaica” having grossed N82m so far after just 10 days in the cinemas. According to figures released exclusively by Film One Distribution ‘the film has been playing in all 28 cinema locations across Nigeria, according to Moses Babatope’ the Group ED/CEO Film One Distribution, Generally, there had been better performance in the Box Office by Nigerian films. This is reflected in the figures obtained recently.
1. A Trip to Jamaica – N82m (figure in 10 days only)
2. Wives on strike – N67m
3. The CEO – N60m (includes figures from Ghana)
4. Fifty – N44m (January to March 2016 only)
5. Ghana must go – N32m
Bovi’s ‘it’s Her Day’ is believed to be another box office success story even though official figures were not available as at the time of this report. The 44m made by Fifty, this year adds to the N50 million it made during the closing part of 2015. N94 million is not a bad figure. The projection with A Trip to Jamaica is that it is on course to take over the number one spot from 30 days in Atlanta within the next two weeks of its stay in the Cinemas across Nigeria, as it looks set to continue to screen to sell-out audience.
By October 25, it was projected that the film would have made at least N130m which is about N31m shy of the record it is looking to break. Stakeholders in the industry have described this development as a welcome one, saying that this will give way to more opportunities for the industry. AMVCA-winning actor, Tope Tedela said, it is good to have these kinds of positive developments where people can recoup their investments because no one just wants to act and make a film, at least we also want finances that can make a solid foundation. So, yeah I’m happy”.
‘AY has over the years created a brand with which he now promotes his content. He has that likeability and he has the platform. Filmmaker, Olu Yomi Ososanya highlighted before continuing. ‘Now, the cinemas can see that Nigerian films can do big numbers and they will now see that giving him a favourable slot also helped. “A Trip to Jamaica screens an average of four times across cinemas.
Producer, director and writer, Tope Oshin whose documentary, ‘Amaka’s kin’ is making its debut at the BFI film festival in London said. “This is definitely exciting news It’s just my hope that we can grow our cinema audience to the point where this kind of Box Office successes will soon be possible for films of other genres as well.”
Part of a report by Jude Martins, a film critic and public relations expert, as well as Moses Babatope and published recently read, ‘With the second half pregnant with intriguing film such as Kunle Afolayan’s The CEO, the much anticipated ’76. The Arbitration, 93 Days, when love happens again, The party and of course, Ayo Makun’s steaming a Trip to Jamaica, we can confidently anticipate a new dawn in Nollywood’s annual gross box office return”.
Infact, those in the know are optimistic about a possible 800 million naira in annual box office takings which even with the devaluation of the naira will be close to $3 million. While the N800m box office takings projection might not seem feasible any longer this year, other highly anticipated releases scheduled for later this year make 2016 a better year than 2015 by more than a mile. So far so good.
Entertainment
“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law
In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)
The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.
The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.
Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.
The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.
While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.
According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.
Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.
“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.
The Garden City of Rivers State Port Harcourt at the weekend joined other parts of the world to celebrate the World Music Day, 2025, as Alliance Française showcases talents.
The event which is internationally known as Fête de la musique was held at cultural hall of the Alliance Française was a remarkable concert with memorable experience.
The event brought together music lovers, students, Artistes and members of the community For an exciting evening live performances and cultural exchange.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the world Music Day, which was created 1982 in France by the then Minister of culture, Jack Lang, ‘ Fête de la Musique’ is now celebrated in more than 100 countries every 21st June, marking the first day of summer with free concerts and musical showcases in public spaces.
In Port Harcourt, the Alliance Française honoured the tradition by spotlighting four(4) emerging artistes offering a platform to young talents shaping the city’s contemporary scene.
The audience enjoyed an unforgettable moments as they were entertained by the powerful performances from Preach A, who is known for blending fitness culture with spoken words and rhythm.
Also, artiste Emmayany delivering a vibrant fusion of afrobeat and afro pop. A singer, song writer and a performing artiste with a distinct sound.
Others were Amarachy Uko, a sensational singer with passion for soul , R&B, pop music and afrobeat.
While DJ Prospel closed the night with an energetic DJ set that got the entire hall dancing.
Earlier, the Director, Alliance Française, Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal high lighted the mission of the Alliance Française saying that the event was more than a concert.
According to her, the event was put together by the Alliance Française to promote cultural diversity and foster artistic expression by connecting a long standing French tradition with creativity of the local music scene, adding that the event offerers an avenue for dialogue between culture and generations.
She stated that the event is used to promote professional and bring amateur artistes to limelight via the platform of the Alliance Française which is aimed at promoting the French Language through cultural heritage.
She explained that the celebration is also a broader series of Fête de la musique activities organized by the 10 Alliance Française across Nigeria in sync with concerts held in France and around the world simultaneously.
She further noted that the occasion reaffirms the role of Alliance Française as a cultural bridge, one where French heritage meets the pulses of Nigerian youth.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 19 artistes applied to perform at the event in Port Harcourt, but only four got approval for appearance.
The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.
This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.
According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.
He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.
However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).
Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.
He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.
Nancy Briggs
