Entertainment

Saraki Doles Out N5m To Nollywood

Published

7 years ago

September 21, 2018

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) received a boost recently when the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki donated the sum of N5 million to the Guild for the ailing actors and actresses.
The kind gesture was made during a courtesy visit by members of the Guild at the Lagos residence of the Senate President.
While briefing the No. 3 citizen about the recently launched AGN foundation which is mandated to generate a N500 million endowment fund for ailing actors and also to engage in community development project, the President of AGN, Mr Ejiezie Emeka Rollars said: “Veterans who have contributed to the development of the industry most times do not have anything to fall back on after several years of service.
Some move on to other businesses or sectors while others faces vanish with time. In recent past, the Guild has lost prominent veteran actors to serious illness once to certain medical conditions which could have been averted if there was a medium or platform set aside to harness the strength of the association to fund medical treatment of our own or a source for funding from philanthropists or Nigerians to help rescue their legends.
Actors like Enebeli Elebuwa, Justus Esiri, Arshley Nwosu, Sam Loco-Efe, Muna Obiekwe, Peter Bunor, Prince James Uche and others have been lost due to certain medical conditions and whose souls are resting in the bosom of the Lord. “Recently, we lost Chike Osuji in Owerri, he was laid to rest on September 13 in Awka, Imo State, he lamented.
In his response, elated Saraki who described the actors as great ambassadors of the country promised to initiate all necessary legislative structures to make the movie practitioners have conducive environment to ply their craft.
He said,” Let me thank the AGN president for bringing us together. You have made a lot of us proud, you have worked hard to support our government, you have shown truly that we have great capacity anywhere else in the world. Surrounded by stars, I am seeing here, any politician will not allow the opportunity slip away because we don’t recognise your talent and kind of people we have. I would like to change that, not because of you but because the country needs it.
“This is a decent industry, the economy will not grow by chance but it’s my belief that if duly supported, Nollywood will not only be number one in the world, but will create job opportunities, increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and reduce poverty among several other advantages. Hollywood is great today because the American Government supported and funded the industry, same can be possible for Nollywood.”
Excited, former president of AGN and chairman AGN foundation fund raising, Mr Segun Arinze, thanked the Senate President for the kind gesture and promised that his donation would be used judiciously for the benefit of the ailing actors.
Other actors who accompanied Rollers include former Presidents of AGN, Ejike Asiegbu and Zack Orji, Chiwetalu Agu, Wash Waziri Hong, Umah Shehu, Ebere Okaro and Monalisa Chinda- Coker. Others are Ayo Binta, President of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Zulu Okafor, Lilian Bach, Ronnie Diko, Nkechi Nnaji and Chita Agwu Johnson.
Also in the entourage were Mirabel Etuk, Benedict Johnson, Prince Ifeanyi Dike, Chairman Board of Trustees (BOT), AGN, Frank Dollas, National PRO, St. Madona M. Johnson and National Treasurer among others.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.