Entertainment
Behold, Six Leading Women Of Nollywood
From Mo Abudu to Emma Edosio, these women are transforming Nollywood for better. Women have had a place in Nollywood since its inception, but that was mostly in front of the camera, behind the scenes, things have historically been governed by men, they produce and direct the biggest films and generally dictate the market for Nigerian films.
In 2019, the era of overwhelming male domination is over, thanks to a new type of women moguls personified best by Mo Abudu.
Since the release of her first film ‘Fifty in 2015’, she has ruled the Nigerian box office. Three films she executive produced, The Wedding Party I, The Wedding Party: Destination Dubai and Chief Daddy Sit Atop the list of highest Nigerian movies of all time.
The original wedding party grossed N453 million, its sequel earned N500 million, and her latest, Chief Daddy made over N300 million in three weeks. Four of the films produced by her film company, Ebony Life are among the top 10 highest grossing Nollywood films. Mo Abudu’s success has ushered in a new trend of women making boss moves in Africa’s biggest film industry.
Since her transition from her couch on “Moments With Mo’ to film, the involvement of women in Nollywood behind the scenes have increased: Mary Remmy Njoku, a Nollywood actress, popular for her role in Black- Berry Babes, founded Rok studies which produced the popular” “Husband of Lagos” and is responsible for the bulk of movies and series shown on iRokotv. Six of the 10 most successful Nollywood films have been produced by women. Mo Abudu, Kemi Adetiba and Omoni Oboli.
This is a testament to both women’s power in Nollywood and Mo’s influence. As reflected in Tope Oshin’s documentary, “Shooting It Like A woman”, women are beating the odds to succeed in the male dominated Nigerian film industry and in 2018, the women of Nollywood stepped up their game and made the biggest movies in the industry.
Below are the six Nigerian women whom we are looking forward to taking Nollywood to the next level of global acclaim.
Kemi Adetiba: She became popular for her aesthetically pleasing and story rich music videos, her refreshing style made her an instant hit among top musicians in Nigeria. Before venturing into directing videos, the New York Film Academy alumni had worked in radio and television as a presenter.
Her first film, ‘The Wedding Party’ was an instant hit among movie goers in the country, it was also the first Nigerian film to gross over a million dollars from ticket sales but her sophomore feature, ‘King of Boys’ which she wrote and co-produced that won everybody over, it is a Nollywood modern day cult classic and one of the most successful movies of 2018.
For seven consecutive weeks, it was the number one film in Nigerian cinemas. (The longest by a Nollywood film) beating stiff competition from several Hollywood and Nollywood films. It grossed N230 million making it the 5th most successful Nollywood movies of all times and the third most successful from last year behind Ebonylife’s holiday comedy, Chief Daddy and Ay’s star studded merry men.
Genevieve Nnaji: The biggest news out of Nollywood last year was Netflix acquisition of Genevieve Nnaji’s directorial debut, ‘Lion Heart’ she co-wrote, co-produced and Stars in the film. Hours before the screening of the movie at the Toronto International Film Festival where the movie was nominated for the prestigious Grolsch People’s Choice Award, Netflix announced it has acquired global rights to the film, sending shock waves loaded with excitement around Nollywood fans in Nigeria and diaspora.
This comedy movie, which is love letter to Enugu is not the first Nollywood film on Netflix, there are seven, but Lion Heart is the first Nigerian Netflix-original which means it will appear on the streaming giants’ home page and get huge marketing like the other Nigerian films on the streaming service.
The film generated global buzz unlike any other Nollywood product and has been featured in the New York Times, CNN variety and Essence magazine.
Mo-Abudu: Mo Abudu, a media mogul is the woman who has laid the template for making mega blockbusters in Nollywood. One of the international recognitions that Nollywood received in 2018 came in the form of a three series deal between Sony Pictures Television and Mo Abudu’s Ebonylife. One of the series is based on the Dahomey Warriors of old Benin.
As the year came to an end, she was elected a director of International Academy of Television Arts and Science, the organisation responsible for the international Emmy Awards. Still in 2018, Mo-Abudu released her third N300 million grosser, the star studded comedy, ‘Chief Daddy’ which is also her third highest grossing movie of the year in three consecutive years, following the Wedding Party 1& 2.
Tope Oshin: She directed ‘up North’ in 2018, the biggest film in Nollywood in terms of sheer scale, while Up North is her biggest movie from last year, it was not her only work, she directed two other features, ‘New Money’, a comedy drama and the award winning “We Don’t Live Here Any More”, a young adult drama that focuses on the struggles of being gay in Nigeria and a TV series, the sixth season of MTV Shuga making her the most prolific director from the industry in 2018.
The port folio of the Colorado film school graduate include producer, casting director, writer and actor. It is this incredible portfolio which features Nigeria’s first legal drama, Castle and Castle, MTV Sugar and the Wedding Party 2 that got her to be included on Okay Africa’s 100 women list in 2018 and becoming a juror for the international Emmy Awards.
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde: This Nollywood screen goddess parades numerous accolades received over her 20 years career in Nollywood. Since her debut in 1995, the star actress has been named 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine and honoured as a member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian government for her contributions in Nollywood.
And while 2018 was a quiet year for her, she received one of her most important honours, an invitation to join the Oscar voting Academy, the only actor from Africa alongside notable film maker Femi Odugbemi. This is another nod to the global reception of Nollywood which is crucial to the growth of the industry.
Ema Edosio: Ema Edosio is a female director in Nollywood, she joins the tradition of an impressive feature debut with the low budget ‘Kasala’ while Kasala was not as big as the film mentioned above, it was one of the refreshing films of 2018 and shows that in Edosio we have a unique talent that can tell competing stories and get the best out of actors.
The film which won the viewer’s choice at the 2018 edition of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) was not accepted by Nigerian cinemas initially and it took touring several international festivals to convince distributors to give it a chance.
Entertainment
“The Legal Day” 2025: Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Moves to Promote French Via Law
In a bid to promote the French language through law and build bridges between communities the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Nigeria has organized the 2025 edition of “La Journée du Droit” (“The Legal Day”)
The event which took place at Alliance Française auditorium was a civic and linguistic celebration designed to help learners of French Language and young citizens discover the importance of law in everyday life.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event featured interactive quiz sessions, exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa and beyond, pointing out both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
Throughout the day, the event featured interactive quiz sessions exploring legal rules and civic principles in Nigeria, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting both the similarities and differences between legal systems around the world.
The initiative was aimed at encouraging reflection on the rights and responsibilities shared by all citizens and to promote the values of justice, equality, and mutual respect through the French language.
The programme which had two sessions, (Morning and Afternoon session) witnessed the participation of about 150 students from various levels of education. Ranging from the Primary, Secondary, and tertiary institution for an engaging experience of civic and legal concepts.
Schools in attendance included Surebloom International School, Pleroma High School, Casterly Rock Secondary School, and TotalEnergies Port Harcourt School.
The morning sessions saw the Participation of Alliance Française students in an interactive quiz, enhancing their French comprehension while exploring civic notions.
While the Afternoon session had students from the University of Port Harcourt – UNIPORT (French Language and Law Departments), students from the French Department from both Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University joined in the final rounds of the competition.
According to the director of Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal, all quiz questions were presented in French, then translated into English to ensure full understanding by participants, saying that winners received special prizes, as all attendees took home souvenirs from the educational and convivial event.
Mrs Lacal said that the diplomatic and educational initiative event “La Journée du Droit” (The Legal Day) sought to promote the French language through law, highlight the capacity of law to build bridges between communities and emphasize law as one of the pillars of French diplomacy.
“Through this initiative, the Alliance Française Port Harcourt continues its mission to foster intercultural dialogue, civic awareness, and the learning of French as a language of knowledge, culture, and citizenship,”?she?added.
The Garden City of Rivers State Port Harcourt at the weekend joined other parts of the world to celebrate the World Music Day, 2025, as Alliance Française showcases talents.
The event which is internationally known as Fête de la musique was held at cultural hall of the Alliance Française was a remarkable concert with memorable experience.
The event brought together music lovers, students, Artistes and members of the community For an exciting evening live performances and cultural exchange.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the world Music Day, which was created 1982 in France by the then Minister of culture, Jack Lang, ‘ Fête de la Musique’ is now celebrated in more than 100 countries every 21st June, marking the first day of summer with free concerts and musical showcases in public spaces.
In Port Harcourt, the Alliance Française honoured the tradition by spotlighting four(4) emerging artistes offering a platform to young talents shaping the city’s contemporary scene.
The audience enjoyed an unforgettable moments as they were entertained by the powerful performances from Preach A, who is known for blending fitness culture with spoken words and rhythm.
Also, artiste Emmayany delivering a vibrant fusion of afrobeat and afro pop. A singer, song writer and a performing artiste with a distinct sound.
Others were Amarachy Uko, a sensational singer with passion for soul , R&B, pop music and afrobeat.
While DJ Prospel closed the night with an energetic DJ set that got the entire hall dancing.
Earlier, the Director, Alliance Française, Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal high lighted the mission of the Alliance Française saying that the event was more than a concert.
According to her, the event was put together by the Alliance Française to promote cultural diversity and foster artistic expression by connecting a long standing French tradition with creativity of the local music scene, adding that the event offerers an avenue for dialogue between culture and generations.
She stated that the event is used to promote professional and bring amateur artistes to limelight via the platform of the Alliance Française which is aimed at promoting the French Language through cultural heritage.
She explained that the celebration is also a broader series of Fête de la musique activities organized by the 10 Alliance Française across Nigeria in sync with concerts held in France and around the world simultaneously.
She further noted that the occasion reaffirms the role of Alliance Française as a cultural bridge, one where French heritage meets the pulses of Nigerian youth.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 19 artistes applied to perform at the event in Port Harcourt, but only four got approval for appearance.
The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.
This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.
According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.
He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.
However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).
Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.
He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.
Nancy Briggs