Entertainment

Rivers People Set, As CARNIRIV Beckons

Published

13 years ago

November 9, 2012

Despite the glizz, glamour and cultural rejuvenation that marked previous cultural carnivals in Rivers State, this year’s centenary edition promises to surpass all the past events in terms of organisation, sophistication and foreign participation.

It is reliably gathered that the Rivers-State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) in conjunction with the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism have put some laudable programmes and events in place to make CARNIRIV 2012 the best of its kind across the country.

These programmes include a new carnival monument which involves the redesigning and commissioning of the CARNIRIV 1988 sculpture located at Aggrey road in the old Port Harcourt Township Area which stands in remembrance of one of the most spectacular carnivals Port Harcourt had ever experienced. It is expected to serve as the official take off point for all subsequent carnivals.

There would also be a pre-carnival stage performance of King Jaja of Opopo with top government officials, an all star cast and fantastic production crew that would invariably be an honour for the men and women of the Arts who would have returned inspired and reinvigorated from a world tour, promoting the culture of Rivers people through the play.

The Black African music festival (BAMFEST) is also proposed by the Agency in its desire to sell CARNIRIV to the wide world as a tourist attraction of immense value. The music festival would span several genres which appear relevant in today’s spectrum of musical references. Selected black musicians from the Americas, the Islands of the Caribbeans, Europe and the continent of Africa are also expected to be in attendance.

In its bid to boost the overall outlook of the CARNIRIV, the RSTDA looks forward to inviting contingents from interested countries worldwide to participate in the carnival, such entries include boat Rowing and Lion dance troupe from South East Asia, and Zulu dance troupe from South Africa that would add to the excitement of the carnival just as tourism ties with the respective countries are sure to be enhanced in the process.

Freestyle bands are also expected to perfrom as a brilliant spectacle in the streets of Port Harcourt. The inclusion of more bands in the free style parade promises even greater colours and excitement.

To cap it all, there would also be a world peace concert as part of the closing ceremonies of the CARNIRIV with the aim of attracting musicians as well as different genres of music from various continents of the world preaching a message of peace and tolerance.

According to the Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency Dr. Sam Dede, this year’s festival would hold in Port Harcourt from December 10 to December 15. He said the committee had commenced mobilization and sensitization of the people on the carnival and the people were beginning to see the carnival as their own.

He said, “sensitization, mobilization is on, we are talking with the communities, we have been visiting the local government areas, been having series of meetings with the band leaders, the people as well as volunteers are pouring in everyday to work for the festival, for me, this is about making the people own the carnival.”

The veteran actor of the ‘Isakaba’ Fame stated that international artists invited to perform for the cultural show had indicated interest to come and perform, adding that Shaggy and Patra would perform at the opening ceremony while morgan heritage would play at the reggae event.

He stressed that Rivers people were going to have a wonderful carnival this year as all the artists and people they had been talking with, were very keen on making it work. He also disclosed that the organizing committee had hinted the international artists about the flood situation, adding that they had pledged to use the carnival to put smiles on the faces of the victims and the people of the state.

Entertainment

Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Crosses ?1.77bn

Published

12 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

13 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

13 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.