Entertainment

AGN Mourns Late Veteran Actor, Bruno Iwuoha

Published

5 years ago

April 16, 2021

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actor, Bruno Iwuoha who died in the early hours of Saturday after prolonged battle with diabetes.
The Director of Communication AGN, Monalisa Chinda-Coker confirmed the news in a recent press statement issued on behalf of the entire members of the AGN as the national president Ejezie Emeka Rollas commiserate with the immediate family, members, friends and fans.
He prayed that God may comfort them at this moment of grief and may the soul of all faithful departed rest in peace. The statement read.
The veteran actor went public about his ailment, during an interview with Berekete family on Human rights 101.1 in Abuja 2015. According to the talented actor, he never knew he had diabetes until a violent armed robbery attack that landed him in hospital.
He was quoted as having said, “I’ve gone to some places within the country and outside the country for treatment until finally the thing (diabetes) claimed one of my sights (eyes). As I look at you now, I’m using only one sight (eye) they call it glaucoma and gradually it is affecting the other one.
“I discovered that this thing (the illness) is a lifetime something and it has robbed me of the job (acting), and now, if I get a script, it will be hard for me to read it very well, and if I read it, I strain my eye for so long, it would look as if someone would lead me around the house or any where I want to go because it will affect the only one (eye) so that’s my problem.
At the time, he said he needed to be transferred to a US based hospital, where he required to pay N3.5 million shortly after, the CEO of Morgan Entertainment, Emeka Morgan Ogu Ejiofor, reached out to him and footed his bill to us as well as his medical bills, Mr Iwuoha was diagnosed with glaucoma and diabetes.
In January 2021, the AGN launched an appeal fund aimed at providing urgent medical intervention to ailing Nollywood actors and assisting families of late actors. The late actor, Iwuoha was listed as one of the beneficiaries of the appeal fund.
Prior to Nollywood, he was a principal, registered contractor with National Fertilizer company of Nigeria (NAFCON) Onne, Port Harcourt. His debut movie role was in ‘Lost Kingdom’ which was shot at Aba by the late Ndubuisi Okoh.
His foray into Nollywood was an interesting one, the producers of movies needed someone who could play the role of an old man, they wanted someone with natural grey hair and not artificial one. After several recommendations, his friend, a certain Christopher, brought him a script and a letter of introduction stating that he was needed at Wilcox Memorial School at Aba, the rest they said is history.
The late actor won the Best supporting actor at the African movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2007 for his performance in the movie ‘Sins of The Flesh’. A prolific actor, he starred in several award winning movies like ‘World Apart’, Magic Cap, Keeping Close, Another Bondage, Faces of Love and Days of Hatred.
Other are: Two Bad Boys, Double Mind, Eagle’s Bride, Forever Yours, Jealous Lover, My Own Share, My Portfolio, Occultist Battle, The Prince and the Princess and Sons of the Flesh.
In his life time he starred in over 509 movies with the most recent movie being ‘Silent Prejudice’ (2020) which was produced by Chris Kalu. The 68-year-old actor is survived by his wife and six children.

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.