Entertainment

Showbiz Personalities Lament Loss Of Revenue To COVID-19

Published

5 years ago

December 4, 2020

Entertainment industry is no doubt one of the largest employers of labour globally, Nigeria inclusive.
However, in recent times the industry has witnessed a down turn in business as a result of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic. This has caused many clubs, hangouts and hotels to wind up and their owners driven into other businesses like buying and selling of goods, especially in the Port Harcourt city to cushion the biting economic effect of this dreaded disease.
Nevertheless, the post-lock down period has affected the owners of the entertainment enclave and showbiz personalities the opportunity to bounce back to business, though at a skeletal level.
In order to assess the impact of COVID-19 in showbiz in Port-Harcourt, an expert Sunshine Walter of Mr. Dynamic Grill located on Peter Odili Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt who spoke with The Tide recently said “The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the industry as prices of goods and services are very high. The prices od drinks, raw food and meat are high, labour inclusive. We cannot break even, just struggling to balance up. We cannot get things we are suppose to get at the right price.”
The showbiz in the Port Harcourt City is sluggishly struggling to get to the usual height as people are still afraid to patronize hangouts clubs and hotels believing that there may yet be another outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Hence, the normal crowd witnessed in showbiz in the city is absolutely absent.
In a further chat with the Manager of Mr. Dynamic Grill, Miss Walter, explained that in keeping with state government protocol on COVID-19 pandemic “We had to introduce disposable cups, strict application and adherence to wearing face and nose masks by customers, social distancing, hand washing inclusive to ensure healthy environment and to woo customers yet the level of patronage is low.
The circumstances on the ground are certainly not the best of times for the entertainment industry as a result of outbreak of coronavirus owing to the fact that most hangouts, clubs and hotels have gone underground, unable to bounce back to business. The few operating which are making strong effort to continue to be in showbiz for instance, Sansun Hotel on Odili Road has wound up and have been put in the property Market for sale.
Showbiz in the city is in a very lamentable state, most popular hangouts and clubs can no longer host variety nights with guest artists, dancers, talent, disco jockeys (DJ) in attendance.
Night life in Port Harcourt is gradually phasing out because of near danger and fear of the possible contraction of coronavirus. People rather prefer to stay within the comfort of their homes and enjoy themselves.
In another development, a survey carried out by the Entertainment Desk of The Tide newspaper shows that proprietors in the showbiz are really facing a hard time.
Lamenting on the gloomy business environment brought about by this deadly pandemic, a manager of a popular hangout and night club on Dr. Peter Odili Road, Lesuka, Amaka Blessing decried the poor state of the entertainment industry in Port Harcourt, saying “there was no economic or business magic her outfit could apply to continue to operate withint he period of lock down as they totally carried out state government rules and guidelines on COVID-19 pandemic, adding that for 8 months they were not in business, although others were into hide and seek game.

By: Okwein George Parker

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

1 day 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 day 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 day 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.