Entertainment
Port Harcourt Hosts Movie World … As ION International Film Festival Debuts in Africa
The oil rich city of Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital has recorded another milestone in her efforts towards the development of the Entertainment industry in Nigeria as she hosts the third Edition of the ION International Film festival which is coming to Africa for the first time.
Addressing the large crowed of movie practitioners, international show biz promoters and the entertainment world that gathered at the premises of Polo Club Port Harcourt on Thursday for the opening ceremony, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Marcus Nle Ejii said the state is proud to be the first in Africa to host the international festival.
He said the event has given the state the opportunity to not only show case her potentials, but to prove to the world that Rivers State is the home of Entertainment, a peaceful State of hospitable and accommodating people. He commended the organisers of the festival for choosing the state as their first port of call in Africa.
The commissioner assured the guests of their security and protection through out their stay in Rivers State, stressing that the era of militancy in the Niger Delta is over and the State is one of the most peaceful and investor friendly states in the country.
In an interview with The Weekend Tide Entertainment, creative Director of MCOMM, Organisers of the ION International Film Festival said,” The experience has been wonderful and amazing, I have been wanting the world to come to Port Harcourt to witness the talents in the Nigerian movie industry, we want the world to see for themselves the energy of the Niger Delta.”
She noted that Nollywood has an ample opportunity to network with the film makers all over the world from Hollywood, Bollywood, the Europen film industry and everyone in the theatre all over the world, she stressed that the International film festival is a wonderful opportunity for the film industry in Nigeria to move forward.
Mrs Borlolussi stated that Nollywood is already moving forward and urged the practitioners to believe in themselves because they have an amazing talent and they are a force to reckon with no matter the blunders made at the beginning. According to her, “ION festival will make Nollywood add value to what is already on the ground and we must continue to patronise our own, with that, sky will not be our limit but our beginning.”
According to one of the organisers of the event Mr. Akonte Ekine, Chief Executive officer (CEO) and lead strategist of Absolute PR, “The idea of the Ion festival is to interact with global partners, exchange ideas and Technology, brainstorm, know the things we have not done well and borrow from those who have done well because it is an intellectual thing.”
He commended the Nigerian Film Industry for their achievements so far, stressing that everything in life is in stages and one of the stages is learning how people ahead of you are doing. He stressed that the Rivers State government has tried to bring the festival to us to improve on our standards, it is left for people participating in the industry to take advantage of the opportunity.
Mr. Ekine disclosed that over 84 films have been chosen for the event out of which 32 are Nigerian Films which shows that we have got talent and content in Nollywood, therefore the practitioners should be given a pat on the back as to aspire to greater glory.
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.
-
News4 days ago2026 Budget: FG Allocates N12.78bn For Census, NPC Vehicles
-
Sports4 days agoAFCON: Osimhen, Lookman Threaten Algeria’s Record
-
Politics4 days agoWike’s LGAs Tour Violates Electoral Laws — Sara-Igbe
-
Politics4 days agoRivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance
-
Sports4 days agoPalace ready To Sell Guehi For Right Price
-
Sports4 days agoNPFL To Settle Feud between Remo Stars, Ikorodu City
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal must win trophies to leave legacy – Arteta
-
Sports4 days agoTottenham Captain Criticises Club’s Hierarchy