Entertainment

LASG Approves Special Funds For Film Makers

Published

4 years ago

October 8, 2021

The Lagos State Government has approved a special fund for film makers in the state.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, made the disclosure on Monday in Lagos at an event to mark 2021 World Tourism Day.
The event, which was organised by the state and the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria(FTAN), also adopted the day’s global theme: “Tourism and Inclusive Growth”.
The commissioner said that the approval of the special funds for film makers was done with the inauguration of a committee to oversee the disbursement of the funds to qualified individuals.
According to her, individuals can access up to N40 million as loan for film production.
“I will not forget to remind this gathering that the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu , in demonstration of his love for the film industry, has approved a special fund for film makers.
“This was with the inauguration of a committee to oversee the disbursement of this fund to qualified individuals who can access up to N40 million from the fund as a loan for the purpose of film production,” she said.
The commissioner urged Lagos residents and Nigerians to visit the state’s website designed to enlighten viewers on the state’s tourism potential.
“ The ministry’s website and promotional videos of tourism attractions and tourism potentials in Lagos State is up and running.
“I urge all our stakeholders to get acquainted with our activities, programmes, plans and policies on the website through: lagostourism.lagosstate.gov.ng and also take advantage of our various social media platforms,” she said.
Akinbile-Yusuf said that the ministry had inaugurated Community-Based Tourism(CBT) initiative, with a pilot phases in Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Oshodi-Isolo, Eti-Osa and Surulere.
“The establishment of the Community-Based Tourism Unit in the ministry, is in line with the state’s tourism masterplan and policy.
“We have made adequate support in terms of the provision of all necessary logistics that would enhance the delivery of this responsibilities by our officials.
“It is our belief that the idea of this CBT, at this period, will enable the ministry explore, access and develop tourism potential such as unique cultural practices, tradition and heritage within the local community.
“ Also, the feedback we have been receiving so far from our training programmes of enhancing capacity development of filmmakers under the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative, LACI has been overwhelming,” she said.
Akinbile-Yusuf said that the initiatives had started changing the narratives in the film industry, adding that the state was committed to investing more in the industry.
Solomon Bonu, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, urged tourism stakeholders to look beyond tourism statistics and knowledge,
Bonu urged tourism practitioners to celebrate tourism’s unique potential and ensure that nobody was left behind as the world begins to open up.
He said that if the sector was well harnessed, tangible contributions would be made toward reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
Also, Dr Adun Okupe of Redclay Tourism Advisory and Faculty Strategy, Lagos Business School, called on Lagos State to improve access to tourism sites by building formidable infrastructure.
She said that the state government need to build partnership with investors to move the industry forward.
Mr Folarin Coker, Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), said that the organisation had taken steps to ensure proper marketing of the nation’s tourism sites.
Coker was represented by Mrs Angela Upomi, Assistant Director, Hospitality and Travel Trade of NTDC.
He said that NTDC had been leveraging on the power of technology to create awareness and inclusiveness for the nation’s destinations and stakeholders across the tourism value chain.
“ We have been at the frontline of marketing the wonders of Nigerian to the world as a particular destination, through vital collaborations with technology giants like facebook, goggle and wikipedia.
“his is done to leverage on their reach to unlock opportunities for all across the tourism value chain,” he said.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.