Entertainment
How Fiona Amuzie Won 2010 MBGN Crown … As Miss Rivers EmergesSecond Runner-Up
Though the widely publicised most beautiful girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2010 Beauty Pageant, which happens to be the 23rd edition of the national beauty event has come and gone, the contest lost and won, the memories of that historic day of May 22nd 2010 at the New Exhibition Hall, Eko Hotel and Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos, still remain ever green in the minds of those who were opportuned to watch or witness the activities live.
That eventful day, marked the victory of Miss Plateau State, Amuzie Aforma Fiona, over 29 other contestants to clinch the coveted crown. She was later crowned by her predecessor, Glory Chukwu. The first runner-up in the keenly contested pageant went to Miss Niger, Odalonu Ngozi, Miss Rivers, Nengi Wariboko was crowned second runner up, while Miss Ekiti, Obiora Charity Chineye and Miss Gombe, Lynda Dunkwu emerged third and fourth runners up respectively.
According to our sources, the winner of the 2010 MBGN, Amuzie Fiona, who becomes the 23rd MBGN queen went home with three million naira, a Subaru Saloon car and will represent Nigeria at this year’s Miss World Beauty Pageant in Vietnam. The first runner up Odalonu Ngozi will represent the country at Miss Universe Pageant, while the second runner-up, Nengi Wariboko will take part in the Miss Tourism Pageant and the third runner up Obiora Charity will represent the country at the Miss ECOWAS Beauty Pageant.
It was gathered that the beauty pageant organised by the Silver Bird group and sponsored by some corporate organisations also produced other categories of winners who include: Miss Ebonyi, Shalom Obi who becomes the face of Select PRO cosmetics for one year, in addition to N500,000 cash and a trip to London. Miss Taraba, Oyaole Rosabel, emerged the new Miss photogenic, Miss Amity Award went to Miss Kwara, Chukwueke Chineye, while the best traditional costume went to Miss Niger Delta, Osiki Onorna. Miss Abuja, Onyeka Martina Udechukwu became the fourth face of sera from the stable of classic beverages, makers of La casera, she also went home with the sum of one million naira cash.
Before the fifteen out of thirty contestants were chosen, they made three appearances in their traditional wears, swim suits and the evening wears which was the basis upon which the judges drew their appraisal from. At the end of the third appearance, the judges made up of Richard Harts, chairman, Eko Hotels, Agbani Derego, former MBGN winner and Miss World, Sarah Boulus, former Mr. Nigeria Bryan Okpara, Omowunmi Akinifesi and Nadia Lotova, all agreed that the top fifteen contestants had scaled the first hurdle.
It was further gathered that they were chosen based on short SMS messages which afforded many contestants opportunity of having their friends and well wishers vote for them as many times as possible, an avenue which threw up the final 15. Apart from the entertainment the guests got from the contestants, they were also thrilled by traditional dancers from all the six geo political zones across the country as well as Yemi Alade, winner of Peak Talent Hunt Show, Timi Dakolo and Jeffery Daniels an American Singer cum dance instructor to late King of Pop music Micheal Jackson who performed the famous moon walk dance steps on stage.
Other celebrities that graced the occasion include: Chief Festus Odumegwu, MD, Nigerian Breweries, MBGN queen 2007, Munachi Abi, Paul Okoye of P-Square among others. It was indeed a night to remember.
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.
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.
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.