Entertainment

Edo Excellence Awards organizers , clashes with financial crisis

Published

5 years ago

April 5, 2021

Edo Excellence Award is an annual award to promote and recognize Edo people who have contributed significantly to Edo culture, Edo People in diaspora and in Edo State

The Edo Excellence Award, co-established by Sir Victor Uwaifo in 2004, recently reached 17th edition on February 14th 2021.

The colourful ceremony which was held in the heart of Benin City at Aisien Plaza in Benin city Edo state was memorable. During the prestigious ceremony, Nigeria Edo Funk music legend stated that “It’s time to modify our Edo Excellence Awards categories by adding more categories, that will also benefit non Edo natives” the idea was negatively disputed by other respected Edo indigenes from various arms of the Government and prominent Business men, who attended the venue.

After a long dispute, sir Victor Uwaifo who just celebrated his 80th year birthday asked Edo State most read Nigerian national newspaper Obaland Magazine and Newspaper if they could adopt the costly annual Edo Excellent Award ceremony by buying the brand and make sure the event doesn’t bankrupt or been mismanaged , due to his busy schedules and his aged, Obaland Magazine media is yet to unveil a close partnership or ownership deal with the Edolites .

Tide Newspaper reporters also gathered that since 2019, Obaland Magazine has been in a critical financial crisis after the news media company encountered with tax evasion and fraud crime related to 450,000 Euro , that led Italian authorities to freeze the company’s account . Obaland Magazine Chief editor Mr Lucky Omosigho who remained silent and promised to revert asap after the closing ceremony at the Aisien Plaza venue.

The Edo Excellent Awards was to benefit only Edo people who had contributed immensely to Edo culture at home and in diaspora with a concrete clarity from testimonies and public officers before nominations could be sorted. The idea of transferring Edo’s prestigious ceremony is under speculation nationwide, while celebrities from Edo State are contemplating if the 2022 event will hold will be a probability , as financial sponsors and investors aren’t willing to invest on the Edo Excellent Awards immediately, until CoronaVirus pandemic dies naturally.

The recently concluded 17th edition of Edo Excellent awards attracted 900 recipients from Edo State. The winners were legendary Edo Funk prominent singer, the son of Edo Funk pioneer, ace “Akaba Man” popularly known as Influence Akaba, who won at third position, , Esther Edokpaye bagged 2nd position and popular Afro American politician, Richard Iyasere, who became popular for creating Akwete dance style in 1980’s , a cosmopolitan popular dance style, finally peaked on 1st position. Richard Iyasere left the venue with multiple awards, winning “Exemplary Leader of the Year” and “Edo Patriotic of the Year”, the Award was presented to awardees by Sir Victor Uwaifo.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

1 week 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 week 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 week 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.