Entertainment

Jubilation As Community Receives Prof Orluwene, Lauds Wike

Published

4 years ago

December 31, 2021

It was jubilation and celebration galore this Yuletide in Emohua Community as the good people of the area received Prof Chituru Godwill Orluwene on his appointment as the provost, college of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University Port Harcourt by the executive governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief (Barr) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike,
In his welcome address at the well attended event, which took place yesterday at Late Wilson Orlu Obinna’s Compound Mgbuowhor Itanwo-Ehieke in Mgbuitanwo Emohua, the Head of Wilson Obinna’s dynasty, Chief (Dr) V.C. Obinna lauded Governor Wike for the well deserved appointment of their grandson, Prof Orluwene.
Chief (Dr) V.C. Obinna prayed God to continue to bless the governor for all his developmental projects and programmes which have given the state a face lift to the envy of other states and for his selfless services to God and humanity. He also commended the governor for finding their son worthy to serve his government and the state in such exalted position.
Chief (Dr) V.C. Obinna, who is also the head of Welobi Men Council of Emohua noted that Prof Orluwene exemplifies the biblical book of Proverbs chapter 21 vs 29 which says “seeth thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings and not before ordinary men”.
He noted the fact that Prof Orluwene is a true reflection of the above mentioned biblical quote. From birth to his present candour forth righteousness, diligence, academic excellence and professional dexterity, little wonder then that His Excellency Chief (Barr) Ezenwo NyesomWike CON, GSSRS, POS (Africa) the Executive Governor of Rivers State and the indefatigable Mr. quality project finds him worthy for the enviable position for which the Welobi Family is eternally grateful.
“The family therefore most heartily thank God for this special grace upon your life, it is also our hope and belief that as recorded in the scriptures, whom God calls, He equips for the service”, he said.
Also speaking, Head of Orluwene’s family, Chief Samuel T. Orluwene stated that from the beginning, the Orluwene’s family has been known to produce great men and women, therefore it is not a surprise that this great professor of medicine, the first in Emohua clan emerged from this great family.
Chief Orluwene disclosed that prof chituruOrluwene’s father, late elder Obe Orluwene was a renowned businessman and teacher in the Baptist Denomination. His industry and integrity recommended him to the illustrious Obinna’s family of Mgbuowhor-itanwo Ehieke of Mgbuitanwo Emohua, hence they promptly gave their daughter Rev. (Mrs) Edith NwerendaOrluwene to him in marriage.
“Rev. Edith Orluwene, the celebrants mother is a retired teacher and director in the Rivers State Ministry of Education. The union of these great families produced the genius that we are celebrating today in the person of Prof Chituru Godwill Orluwene, we therefore say a big congratulation to prof Chituru Godwill Orluwene for holding the families’ dream, thank you and may God continue to bless and guide you as you soar to a greater height,” he stated.
The event was graced by a mammoth crowd of friends, colleagues, relations and well wishers who were lavishly entertained amidst cultural display.

By: Jacob Obinna

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

15 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

15 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

15 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.