Entertainment

Participants Showcase Nigerian Culture At NAFEST 2018

Published

7 years ago

October 26, 2018

Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State is in a festive mood as arts and culture take centrestage in the ongoing 2018 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) holding in the city amidst pomp and funfare.
The state capital is playing host to participants from 18 states of the country as well as a large number of tourists and observers within and outside the country who have stormed the state capital for the showcasing of Nigeria’s culture, arts, crafts and fashion among others.
The weeklong national event which holds in the state capital from October 21 to October 27, 2018 with the theme “Nigeria Peace and Unity, our Pride” has also ushered in massive commercial activites in the state, hotels and other relaxation joints, markets are already making brisk business, a situation which is a big boost to the state economy and by extension Nigeria as a nation due to the large turnout of people and investors from all walks of life. Business operators are full of praises for the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for hosting the yearly festival of unity.
The big event which kicked off with the unveiling of the NAFEST Mascot and theme song by the state governor, His Excellency Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike was well attended by the who is who in the society and other stakeholders. The governor noted that the ceremony signifies the beginning of activities for NAFEST 2018.
He said “it is a pleasure that Rivers State is hosting the entire country once again, this shall provide the platform for the entire country to witness first hand culture and tradition of our people. This festival will further emphasize that Rivers State is peaceful and best destination for investment in the country, is also best destination for tourism.” He urge all stakeholders to work together to ensure success of the event.
Also speaking at the event, the Rivers State commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Oniyide said “the Mascot 2018 is a duck which lives on both land and water just like the landscape of the state.” According to her, “the mascot signified peace, friendship and goodluck which are the hallmark of NAFEST 2018.
Earlier in a statement, the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe stated that the council was fully prepared to showcase the glamour of Nigeria’s diverse culture to the world. He was upbeat that 2018 NAFEST would be the best ever following the massive equipment and facilities including the mass exodus of stakeholders from all parts of the world to Rivers State.
The DG commended particularly the high level of involvement of Rivers State youths who according to him are ready to take full advantage of the benefits from numerous youths empowerment components initiated by NCAC. He also urged stakeholders and indeed Nigerians to support NAFEST 2018 as a unifying force for cultural integration and harmony just as he affirmed the NCAC’s total commitment in projecting Nigeria’s rich culture throughout the cultural fiesta.
Runsawe thanked Governor Wike and the good people of the state for aligning with NCAC in its drive towards a successful hosting of NAFEST which according to him is a reaffirmation of the governor’s commitment to hosting the best NAFEST ever.
Highlights of the eventful week include registration of participants, free medical services, balloting for presentation of competitive events and official opening ceremony. Others are opening of cultural market at Isaac Boro Park, indigenous fabric competition, cultural roundtable on entrepreneurship, Ayo competition as well as traditional wrestling competition, dance drama and tales by moonlight children’s essay writing/craft competition, reception of children participants, by Her Excellency the wife of the state governor, Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Sussette Nyesom Wike and boat regatta also took centre stage during the event, including command performance and cultural gulf tournament followed by the closing date slated for Saturday October 27 2018.
NAFEST was introduced in 1970 as a vehicle to foster unity among the various sections of the country after the Nigerian civil war. Since then the body has contributed meaningfully to the nation’s economy and unity of the country.

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.