Entertainment

Songs Of Praise, Worship As Clerics Rededicate Community To God

Published

4 years ago

January 21, 2022

As the year 2022 begins in earnest with various activities, clerics and other Christian faithful in Emohua Community, Rivers State came out in their numbers to rededicate the community to God and to usher in a more prosperous new year of unity and peaceful existence with thanksgiving, praise and worship.
The annual event, tagged Emohua Day With God” which took place on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at Government Secondary School Field, Emohua was anchored by the Gospel Minister’s Fellowship of Emohua (GMFE) with the theme “The Almighty God”.
Rededicating Emohua Community to God, a seasoned minister of the Gospel, Rt Rev. Bright Ejikeme, Bishop of First African Church, Mgbuitanwo, Emohua noted that the annual Emohua Day with God” religious event was a period of stock taking and renewal of the divine covenant between the community and God entered into 22 years ago.
The man of God took his sermon from Isaiah Chapter 51 verse 15 which states “I am the Lord thy God that divided the sea whose wave roared, the Lord of hosts is His name”.
The cleric urged the community and all Christians to embrace God, keep his commandments and abide by the divine covenant made with God. He also enjoined them to shun all forms of idolatory, criminality and moral decadence in order to enjoy the bountiful blessings of God this year, as he rededicated the community to God and blessed the land.
Speaking at the event, the President of Gospel Ministers Fellowship of Emohua (GMFE), Rev (Dr) P.O. Ezeonye expressed gratitude to God for the large turnout of members of the community as he welcomed those who gave their lives to God at the event. He described the humongous crowd as unprecedented, amazing and overwhelming to the Glory of God.
He noted that within the 22 years of the existence of the religious programme the gospel ministers had recorded huge successes in the areas of spiritual upliftment, wining souls to Christ, restoration of peace and unity as well as spiritual fight against criminality, cultism and other social vices in the community.

Rev (Dr) Ezeonye disclosed that before the rededication programme, the gospel ministers embarked on spiritual sensitization and prayer mission to all the eight villages in Emohua community including Eli Isreal which led to the massive turnout of the people. He commended the ministers of the gospel for their selfless sacrifices and urged them not to relent in their efforts to salvage the community because the harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few.

The Secretary of the Gospel Ministers fellowship, Rev (Dr) Tony Iwedi who also spoke with The Tide at the event disclosed that the idea of the Emohua Day with God was initiated by ‘Ogbo Esator’ Emohua under the able leadership of Mr G.W. Agorom in the year, 2000 with Reverend Monday, the them vicar of St. Lukes Anglican Church, Emohua as the first president of the Gospel Ministers Fellowship of Emohua. He stressed that since then the fellowship had recorded laudable achievements and ensured unity and peaceful co-existence in Emohua community.

Rev (Dr) Iwedi expressed gratitude to the late Paramount Ruler of Emohua, Eze E.J.A. Oriji who gave his blessing to the Gospel Ministers and supported them both morally and financially, as well as late Engr Kinika Eke and Ohna Sergent Awuse for sponsoring and sustaining the annual event.

Among the dignitaries that attended the rededication and thanksgiving service were Ohna Sergen Awuse, paramount ruler of Mgbuitanwo, Ohna Ikechi Uchendu Osi, Acting Vice Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof Okey Onuchukwu, Provost College of Medical Sciences, Prof Chituru Orluwene, Chief Magistrate Friday Ugwe, former Deputy Comptroller of Immigration Dr Wegbune Weli, members of Emohua Legislative Assembly, Security Operatives etc. the event also featured cultural dances and gospel songs.

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.