Entertainment

Hymnodia Reality Show To Remain On Screen Till April 25

Published

7 years ago

March 22, 2019

Kufre Ekanem, the founder of Hymnodia Reality Show in Lagos has expressed optimism over the role of hymns in advancing Nigeria’s religious tourism across the globe.
He said Hymnodia Reality Show will be aired regularly on Lagos TV every Sunday, till April 25, 2019 at 4.00pm.
Ekanem disclosed that Royal School of Church music(RSCM) has entered into a partnership arrangement aimed at supporting 14 Hymntestants for a course in United Kingdom. According to him, RSCM has a mandate to set standard for church music around the world, noting that this is a helpful contribution for Hymnodia team to accept responsibilities to keep the standards.
In a recent chart, Ekanem who is also the Managing Director, Philosoville Limited said, ‘’it is pertinent to not that countries like Canada, scotland and England are ready to partner with the non-denomination activities known as Hymnoia, by so doing, audience will explore the nation’s tourism destinetions. We have entries in India United States, United Kingdom and from other parts of Africa’’.
Speaking further, Ekanem said,’’We are going to sing Hymn in a way that it would be entertaining, educating and eifying, the whole essence of Hymnodia is to re-ignite the culture of Hymn singing, Hymn writing and Hymn making.
He said that Asep which is a specially created trophy named after David’s chief choirmaster in the Bible comes with five million naira cash and a car. One person could win the prize every year.’’
He noted that most of the sounds in the Bible that are generally called the psalms of David were written by Aseph Wholot who was king David’s chief chroirmaster, it shows that people write the sound and that it was written by human beings, we have chosen to honour him with prize of the Hymnodia competition.
Along this fact, 14 Hymntestants came from diverse parts of the country and they came from different denominations, but the diversity is there, Hymns, worships, God are the three constant things,’’ he pointed out.
He disclosed that the show witnesses country Director of RSCM, Mr. Sunday Olawuwo, Onyeka Onwenu as well as Dupe Igekachi as panelists. He identified rhyming, synthetic, discipline among others as different dimen of hymn discipline, reiterating that hymns worship and God Himself are three things that are constant.
Narrating how the Hymnodia idea started, he said, ‘’I have been thinking of Hymnodia for 10 years, I later presented the idea with friends and built it up with the demands of my earlier career in the corporate world, I couldn’t do well that time, however, due to the passion I have, I took a break from the corportate world to start Hymnodia,’’ Ekanem said.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

17 hours 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

17 hours 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

17 hours 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.