Entertainment
AGN Condemns Kidnapping Of Members …. As Nkem Owoh Regains Freedom
The National President of Actor Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze has condemned the kidnapping of Nollywood stars stressing that it is not only a criminal act but an embarrassment to the Guild.
He maintained that in the past few months two of their top actors, Peter Edochie and Nkem Owoh have been kidnapped and later released after series of appeals and described the situation as very unfortunate.
The president who stated this recently following the release of Nkem Owoh by his abductors on Sunday, said the actor was kidnapped early last week along the Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway while the kidnappers demanded N50 million ransom. With the release of the Nollywood King of comedy, people are anxious to know whether some money was paid before he was released, or they released him unconditionally as the AGN has earlier demanded, but so far, there is no concrete evidence about the condition of his release.
One name which readily comes to mind when Nigerian movie especially comedy is mentioned is Nkem Owoh. Ukwa as he is also known who is an engineer by profession later veered into acting with memorial Hospital, a popular soap opra that was aired on NTA in the later part of 1980.
Apart from having written and produced hit comedy flicks like ‘pam pam,’ ‘yogo pam pam,’ sawani ,’ Osuofiason 1&2 etc, the King of comedy has also featured in numerous films such as ‘Akidi’ Ukwa,’ ‘Police Officer,’ “Omugwo,’ ‘Agaba’ ‘Osuofia in London,’ ‘Return from London’ and ‘ I go chop your dollar among others.
However, the movie that earned him African movie Academy Awards’ (AMAA) best actor of the year 2008 is stronger than pain. The same movie that gave Kate Henshaw the best actress of the year award at the AMAA.
Meanwhile his kidnap and release has elicited reactions from showbiz personalities and the general public. According to Mr Ceaser Kagho, Zonal co-ordinator National film and video censors board (NFVCB) Port Harcourt, the incident is very unfortunate stressing that kidnapping of Nollywood stars has assumened an alarming proportion in the country and something must be done about it to forestall future occurrence.
Veteran actor, Columbus Irosoanga said “I don’t know why Nigerian artistes should be kidnapped because they are not well paid, so how can they pay the huge ramson demanded by the kidnappers” It is rather unfortunate, they should be the ones to donate money to the artistes and not the other way round.”
In his reaction, the National president of video Club Owners Association of Nigeria (VCOAN) Hon Rex Akah noted that Nkem Owoh is a hardworking man, struggling to feed him self and his family, he is not a politician nor has he embezzled government money, why should they leave the corrupt politicians to harass an innocent man who is struggling to make ends meet. I pray that God should forgive them for they don’t know what they have done.
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.
-
Sports2 days agoTinubu Lauds Super Eagles’ after AFCON bronze triumph
-
Sports2 days agoFulham Manager Eager To Receive Iwobi, Others
-
Sports2 days agoAFCON: Lookman gives Nigeria third place
-
News2 days agoSERAP Sues Govs, FCT Minister Over Security Vote Spending
-
Sports2 days ago“Mikel’s Influence Prevent Some Players Invitation To S’Eagles Camp”
-
Niger Delta2 days agoINC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
-
Editorial2 days agoBeyond Accessing Bonny By Road
-
Sports2 days agoMan of The Match award Excites Nwabali