Entertainment

I Married Tonto To Save Her – Churchill

Published

9 years ago

June 23, 2017

More details are emerging from Tonto Dikeh and Olakunle Churchill’s marriage. Churchill has come out to say he is no longer interested in the relationship since all Tonto wants to do is spoil his name. “I married Tonto to save her”.
Speaking in a recent interview, he said he did not understand why the actress and his ex-wife have suddenly become friend’s adding that both women have had serious problems with his mother.
On his first marriage being a mistake, he explained that his first wife and marriage was a mistake, he was rushed into it. “We had only dated for 6-weeks before we did something in her church; there was no registry or court. We didn’t even go through the normal process of counselling and all that. Like I said, we had only dated for 6 weeks, I only got to know later that the church thing we did was fast tracked, it was a fake marriage. We had separated for 2 years and 7 months before I met Tonto. The priest from the church said the marriage was wrong and should be annulled but she insisted on getting paper works when Tonto started with her Mr X Saga”.
On Tonto dressing like a man to their son’s school he said, “that is the main reason why I was trying to make it work, because she does some things that are not normal at all, and only someone close to her can save her because she needs help. It’s been 7-months now and all she’s been doing is to give me a bad name. She makes it look like I don’t care about my son. I help other kids, so why will I ignore my son?
“Since my son got back to the country when he was four months, I opened a Zenith Bank account for him and his mum is the sole signatory to that account, I put money in that account regularly, I send money to her own account as well and she won’t even acknowledge the money when she gets it, but she goes on saying I don’t take care of my son”.
On Tonto and his ex-wife being “sudden friends” he stressed that what they are doing is planned” I see they have been liking each other’s posts on instagram and the way Tonto operates is this, if she wants to bring you down she’ll be friends with your enemy, she fights so hard.
But the truth is they both had issues with my mum and I don’t understand why my wife will not respect my mum”.
On his relationship with Tonto being a mistake he declared. “Yes it was and I knew I was going into danger, but I was ready to go into it to save her, but right now I don’t care anymore, I’m done, I can’t deal with it any more, I don’t want the relationship anymore. She says I borrowed money from her and I’m like how? Where is the evidence?, At least I gave her 10 million naira last Christmas and I have proof of payment, so if she borrowed me money, she should prove it”.
“All these kind of negativity comes from someone who said she fasted for 21 days before she met me, someone who said I brought her closer to God, so where is God in this situation and the way she wants my downfall?”

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

16 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

16 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.