Entertainment

Esther Johnson Emerges Face Of Wakirike

Published

5 years ago

January 15, 2021

Entertainment like culture is a vital tool that unites a people, this was the case when the Legacy Global Concept, organisers of the Face of Wakirike put together a beauty peagent which began at Henrose Hotel, Orupabo Ama, Okrika Local Government Area recently.
Speaking on the effort made to organize this beauty peagent competition, Mr Godknows and Miss Glory Mark whilst on a thank you visit to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom at Okochiri and Aman-yanabo of Fimie Kingdom, King Bernard Ibiateli Fimie in Fimie -Ama on the 1st of January, 2021 disclosed that this beauty competition was proudly sponsored by these royal fathers in Wakirike Clan without which the organizers would not have succeeded.
According to them, other sponsors of the beauty peagent were Amanyanabo of Ogu Kingdom, King Nicholas Ibiebele Nimenibo and Comrade Tamuno-omie Daye (Aka) Otalo.
They said the Face of Wakirike Beauty Peagent started with a rally at Okrika on December 18 and the camping began on the 20th and ended on the 27th of December, 2020, which was the grand finale.
The director further revealed that 30 contestants took part in the audition from where 26 were selected and finally 16th contestants qualified for camping of whom 8 queens were crowned.
Miss Glory Mark (alias) Bosslady praised the queen of Okochiri , Darling Dango of Okochiri Kingdom, who partnered with the organ-isation to make Face of Wakirike a huge success being her pet project.
She said that the event witnessed the final selection of the Face of Wakirike at the Local Government Multi-Purpose Hall, Okrika. The Winner of Face of Wakirike is Miss Esther Johnson, the 1st Runner up is Miss Lolia Ibinabo Fimie, Face of Wakirike Ambassador and the 2nd runner up is Miss Adumo Smart Margaret as Face of Wakirike Tourism.
The Queens were advised to maintain very high moral standard in their actions and reactions in the society and be studious in their academic pursuit even as the organizers encouraged them on their various pet projects.
Earlier, the sponsors of the Face of Wakirike Tagged “Empowerment Edition”, royal fathers of Wakirike clan had collectively agreed that the sole aim of this year’s edition is to foster unity, love, understanding and peace among the people of Wakirike Clan.
In another development, the Legacy Global Concept and the beauty peagents during their courtesy visit to the King of Fimie Kingdom in his palace at Fimie Ama were received by women of the kingdom who rendered songs to the glory of God, chiefs, elders and opinion leaders and the Chairman, Amadi-Ama Community Elder Steve Fimibuma withnessed the epoch making ceremony.
In his speech, Chief Solomon, Iringe-Koko of Amadi Kingdom Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, on behalf of Amanyanabo of Amadi Kingdom, Sir Bright Josiah Koko thanked the royal fathers and the organizers of this beauty peagent for their foresight to unit and maintain the peace in the land of Wakirike, and prayed for the sustenance of the event.
He then advised the queens, who are students of various higher institutions, to take their academic work seriously.

By: Okwein George Parker

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

4 days 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

4 days 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

4 days 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.