Entertainment

KHAMFEST 2025 Records Cultural Revival And Economic Boost in Khana

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

The just concluded annual fiesta tagged KHAMFEST 2025 (Khana Music and Cultural Festival) has been widely described as a landmark cultural celebration that successfully united tradition, talent discovery, entertainment, and community development across Khana Local Government Area.

The five-day festival, which attracted thousands of residents, visitors, performers, and stakeholders, opened in a grand style with a colourful ceremony crowned by spectacular fireworks, setting the tone for days of cultural pride and vibrant celebration.

Throughout the festival, cultural displays from different communities in Khana took center stage, showcasing traditional dances, costumes, music, and storytelling that reflected the rich heritage of the people.

These performances drew admiration from both young and old, reinforcing cultural identity and intergenerational connection.

The Tide Entertainment reports that one of the most emotionally touching highlights of the KHAMFEST 2025 was the Christmas Carol Competition, which featured choirs from selected churches across the local government.

During the event, a remarkable moment of talent discovery occurred when 11-year-old Emmanuel Gracious from Nyorngor Luekun was given the opportunity to sing. His outstanding vocal performance caught the attention of the Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Chief Thomas Bariere, PhD, the Mene Fiinor 1 of Khana, who was visibly moved by the young boy’s gift. In a historic gesture, the Chairman publicly announced that the local government would fully cater for Emmanuel Gracious’ educational needs until the completion of his secondary school education, a decision that was greeted with loud applause and praise.

The festival also featured exciting sporting activities, including a keenly contested cycling competition, which saw participants race through major routes in Khana, drawing cheers from spectators and rewarding winners across different categories. Equally thrilling was the Allstars Football Knockout Tournament, which brought together football clubs from across the LGA in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere, producing deserving champions and reinforcing unity through sports.

Beyond entertainment and competition, KHAMFEST 2025 played a significant role in discovering new talents, empowering youths, and creating opportunities for performers, athletes, and creatives to shine. The festival further provided a major economic boost to local businesses, as vendors, traders, transport operators, artisans, and hospitality services recorded increased patronage throughout the event.

Importantly, the entire festival was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, with no reported incidents, reflecting the maturity of the organizers and the cooperative spirit of the people of Khana.

The Tide Entertainment reports that KHAMFEST 2025 leaves behind lasting memories of joy, cultural pride, talent empowerment, and community growth—firmly establishing the festival as a unifying platform and a powerful tool for social and economic development in Khana Local Government Area.

It would be recalled that the closing ceremony also ended on a high note with another dazzling fireworks display, symbolizing unity, peace, and hope for the future.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

17 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

18 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

18 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.