Entertainment

Facts About Nollywood Legends, Olu Jacobs, Pete Edochie

Published

8 years ago

July 21, 2017

The name Olu Jacobs is not new in the Nigerian entertainment clan as the veteran Nollywood actor has graced the silver screens for over four decades. He is one of Nigeria’s most respected actors.
Olu Jacobs, as many of his younger colleagues in the industry call him, has paved a successful path for many actors and actresses in the industry. The veteran actor recently clocked 75 years. The Tide Entertainment brings you fast facts about the Septuagenarian you may not have known.
The legendary actor was born as Oludotun Jacobs on 11 July 1942 in Ogun State, Nigeria to parents of Egba Alake. He grew up in Kano and attended The Holy Trinity School, Kano in Nigeria. His love for acting was inspired by Late Legendary film maker, Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert party which held at colonial Hotel in Kano, thereafter, he travelled to England where he studied acting in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
He starred in several British Television series and international films between 1970 and the 80s. Some of his international works include. ‘The Goodies,’ “Till Death Us Do Part,” ‘Balow At Large.’ The Ventures”, “Angels”, ‘1990’, ‘The tomorrow People” and The Professionals’, The Dogs of war”, Roman Polanski’s Adventure Comedy, ‘Pirates’ (1986) and the family adventure film, ‘Baby. Secret of the Lost Legend (1985).
On television, he was cast in TV5’s’ “The Witches and the Grinnygog (1983 series) and in Nigeria, Olu Jacobs has starred in over 150 Nollywood films. In 2007 he won the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for best actor in a leading role and in 2013, he was honoured with the industry’s merit award for out-standing achievements in acting at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Olu Jacobs has been married to co-Thespian joke silver for over 30 years and they are blessed with two children. Olu Jacobs and his wife run a school called Lufodu Academy for performing arts to cater for upcoming actors.
Pete Edochie At 70
One of Nollywood’s most celebrated actors, Pete Edochie celebrated his 70th birthday on March 7, 2017 and as expected, many of his friends, fans and well wishers turned out in their numbers to celebrate the Nollywood titan.
Pete Edochie who was born on March 7, 1947 in Enugu, Enugu State is an indigene of Anambra State. He had his primary and secondary education in Zaria, Kaduna State.
After his secondary education, Pete Edochie worked with Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) before proceeding to the United Kingdom (UK) to do a course in journalism and television at the school of journalism and television in England.
In 1967, he joined the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation and in 1980, he was trained formerly in the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as a broadcaster.
The veteran actor came into limelight in the 1980s when he played the lead role in the Nigerian Television Authority’s adaptations of Chinua Achedbe’s best selling novel, “Things Fall Apart.” Since then, Pete Edochie has featured in over 200 Nollywood movies and his prowess in the industry has won him many national and international awards.
Pete is well known for his roles in movies like Igodo, Egg of Life, The Lions, Evil Men, Oracle, Narrow Escape, Sins of Our Forefathers, My Love, Felony etc.
He was kidnapped on August 16, 2009 on his way to an event along Nkpor in Anambra State, but was immediately released the next day.
In 2012, Pete Edochie was reported dead while he was on set of a new movie in the Northern part of the country at the time.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.