Entertainment
Actress Seeks Platform For Young Theatre Practitioners’ Training
A playwright and actress, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, on Thursday appealed to stakeholders in the arts sector to create platforms for the training of young people in the theatre and film industry.
Graham-Douglas told newsmen in Lagos that catching artists young would enable them to learn fast and become professionals.
She said there was the need to establish theatre arts’ schools where experienced practitioners could train the youths in the sector.
She said that most of the tertiary institutions did not have people that could be classified as hands-on- the-job.
“Unfortunately, there is also a handful of professional schools and this is an impediment.
“Having more theatre schools will be the right thing to do to train our young people in the arts sector.
“If we have these professional schools, it will enhance the contribution of arts to Nigeria’s economy,’’ she said.
The actress recalled that in her secondary school days at Abonnema in Rivers, drama was a vital part of the school.
“It is from there that I discovered my special interest and love for drama; and I made up my mind that I was going to explore it later in life.
“I was exposed to drama at a very young age; it was part of our curriculum then and we had our drama and dance teachers.
“We were able to understand what performing and other arts are,’’ she said.
Graham-Douglas, however, expressed doubt if drama, dance and others still formed many primary and secondary schools’ curriculum at present.
“If young people develop the passion for dance, acting and other arts, where do they go to train and learn them?
“Our educational system needs an overhaul; many things need to change in our educational scheme.
“For the arts to be recognised, it has to be a very integral part of the educational structure.
“It has to be an important part of the educational system in Nigeria,’’ she said.
She urged the government at all levels to address the issue.
“Let government change the policy and make arts a core subject because arts is important in our curriculum. It uses to be in the past, “she said.
Our correspondent reports that Graham-Douglas is the founder and the CEO of Beeta Universal Arts Foundation.
She is a playwright, a producer, businesswoman and an awards winning Nigerian actress.
She had acted in “Flower Girl” and “Lunch Time Heroes” movies.
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.
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