Filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has expressed her gratitude to fans for making her film, “Behind The Scenes,” a resounding success, crossing the N1 billion mark in just two weeks.
The actress-producer took to her social media platforms to thank her loyal fans, distributors, colleagues, and the cast and crew, acknowledging their invaluable role in the film’s remarkable achievement.
Akindele’s gratitude was evident as she recognised the unwavering support of her fans, who have consistently backed her projects over the years.
She also appreciated the efforts of the distributors, who worked tirelessly to ensure the film’s wide release, and her colleagues, who showed their support by attending screenings and promoting the film.
The cast and crew of “Behind The Scenes” were also not left out, as Akindele expressed her gratitude for their hard work and dedication to the project.
She wrote, “Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody. Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.
“Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues, especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans. Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning. Let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
Award-winning actress and producer Funke Akindele has made history with her latest film, “Behind The Scenes,” which has become the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of 2025, crossing the N1 billion mark in just two weeks.
The film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, announced the milestone, revealing that “Behind The Scenes” broke five opening-weekend records, including the highest single-day gross on Boxing Day, with N129.5 million.
The post read, “Celebrating a massive milestone. We’re still wrapping our heads around this…Fastest film in West Africa to cross ₦1B+ highest single-day gross ever on Boxing Day (₦129.5M). Highest-grossing release of 2025 so far. The only director to cross ₦1B+ at the box office three different times. Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time. And the first filmmaker to deliver three consecutive ₦1B+ films in one calendar year. Thank you to everyone for the love and support so far. This win is for all of us.
Akindele’s impressive track record at the box office has solidified her position as a powerhouse in the industry.
This is her third film to gross over N1 billion, following “A Tribe Called Judah” and “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” which became Nollywood’s biggest opening weekend of all time and the highest-grossing Nollywood film ever, respectively.
The film’s success can be attributed to its advanced screening on December 10 and 11, which generated significant buzz among audiences, paving the way for its nationwide release on December 12.
“Behind The Scenes” boasts an all-star cast, including Scarlet Gomez, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, and Uche Montana, among others.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has formally presented the revalidated certificate for the Ondo deep sea port to the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Oyetola, who presented the certificate to the Governor in his office in Abuja, described the revalidation as a strategic intervention by the Federal Government to unlock Ondo State’s vast maritime and blue economy potential.
The Minister also noted that the deep-sea port would catalyze trade, industrialisation, and regional economic integration.
He said the port aligns with the federal government’s agenda to diversify the economy through maritime infrastructure, logistics, and coastal development.
The Minister, in a statement on Monday by his media aide, Dr Bolaji Akinola, stated, “The Ondo Deep Sea Port is not just a project for Ondo state, it is a national asset that will strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global shipping, reduce pressure on existing ports, and create a new hub for exports, manufacturing, and job creation.”
Oyetola also explained that the port’s location along the Atlantic corridor would significantly boost non-oil exports, enhance ease of doing business, and attract foreign direct investment into the South-West and the country at large.
“The revalidated licence provides certainty to investors and sends a strong signal that Nigeria is ready for serious maritime investments. With the supporting infrastructure planned around the port, Ondo State is positioning itself as a major player in the blue economy.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council for approving the revalidation, describing the moment as the culmination of years of painstaking effort.
He recalled that the licence, originally obtained during his tenure as deputy governor, had suffered setbacks due to a naming error in the initial business case, which required the preparation of a fresh and comprehensive submission.
“This revalidated certificate is a turning point for Ondo State. It validates our vision for industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development anchored on our long coastline and maritime assets,” the governor said.
He further explained that his administration was prioritising supporting infrastructure, including the dualisation of access roads to industrial zones and modernisation projects, alongside preparations for residential, educational, and hospitality facilities to cater to the expected influx of workers and investors.
The governor reiterated that the port and associated projects would have a statewide impact, driving inclusive development across all local government areas.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the involvement of world-renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua, and four others in a fatal accident around the Sinoma area near Sagamu, Ogun State.
Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Assistant Corps Marshal
Olusegun Ogungbemide, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
According to Ogungbemide, preliminary reports from the Ogun Sector Command revealed that the accident occurred at about 12pm, after the Lexus jeep Anthony Joshua was travelling in collided with a stationary truck.
He said, “The incident involved two vehicles: a black Lexus Jeep with registration number KRD 850 HN (private) and a stationary red commercial Sinotruck with unknown registration number.
“A total of five adult males were involved in the crash. Two persons sadly lost their lives, one sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Anthony Joshua was rescued alive and sustained minor injuries.”
Ogungbemide said the injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the deceased have been deposited at Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu.
He said FRSC operatives promptly arrived at the scene, enabling swift rescue operations, while the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD) was duly notified for further investigation and necessary documentation.
Over 200 widows and persons living with disabilities were empowered with vocational skills, food items and financial support at the annual outreach programme of the EFSTA Foundation, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups and promoting self-reliance.
The event, held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at The New Covenant Baptist Church, Ojokoro, Lagos State, brought together widows, indigent pupils and persons with disabilities for a day of empowerment, social interaction and the distribution of palliatives.
The initiative is part of the foundation’s yearly intervention, which has been sustained for the past five years.
Speaking at the programme, Mrs Olayinka Kikelomo, a retired director from the Lagos State Ministry of Education, described the outreach as a consistent effort to bring relief and smiles to the less privileged, especially at the end of the year.
“Mrs Adetiba is deeply passionate about supporting widows and persons with disabilities,” Kikelomo said. “Every year, she ensures they are fed, empowered, entertained and given something tangible to take home. Beyond this annual programme, the foundation also provides monthly financial support to selected beneficiaries.”
She revealed that some beneficiaries were selected at the event to receive regular stipends, with their account details collected to enable monthly payments. She added that the foundation also supports education by assisting indigent pupils in both primary and secondary schools.
According to her, five pupils received financial assistance to cater for their basic educational needs, noting that the initiative has become even more critical in view of the prevailing economic challenges.
Kikelomo called on individuals and organisations to support the foundation, stressing that private efforts alone cannot address the growing scale of poverty in the country.
In her remarks, the founder, Mrs Adetiba, said the programme was inspired by her long-standing engagement with widows and her personal experience following the loss of her husband.
She explained that what started as informal support gradually evolved into an organised annual outreach.
“I realised I was already one of them,” she said. “So every December, when I am around, I organise this programme to make people happy, encourage them and remind them that there is hope beyond the loss of loved ones.”
She disclosed that the foundation provides monthly stipends to widows and has expanded its interventions to include educational support for children.
According to her, five widows currently receive monthly stipends, while five children benefit from annual educational grants of ₦25,000 to assist with school materials such as textbooks and footwear.
Mrs Adetiba added that the foundation’s vocational and financial empowerment initiatives have enabled several beneficiaries to start small businesses and become more self-reliant.
“I know people who have started their own businesses with the support they received,” she said. “Our goal is empowerment, so that beneficiaries can generate income and improve their standard of living.”
The programme featured vocational activities, medical check-ups, dancing and the distribution of food items, creating an atmosphere of celebration, hope and solidarity among participants.
Stakeholders have called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s health insurance scheme to curb avoidable deaths in hospitals caused by the cash-and-carry system of healthcare delivery.
The call was made during a one-day free medical outreach jointly organised by the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, Meridian Hospitals and Pilgrims Health Foundation in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, as part of activities to give back to society during the Christmas season.
Some stakeholders who spoke to journalists at the venue said the refusal or delay by hospitals to commence treatment due to lack of deposits has resulted in the death of many patients.
They attributed the situation to the failure of the country’s health insurance system, noting that similar schemes work effectively in less endowed countries.
Corroborating these views, My-ACE China said his brief experience as a laboratory scientist exposed him to the harsh realities of the cash-and-carry health system and the desperate cries of dying patients.
Explaining the motivation behind the outreach, the Mayor of Housing said he worked at Meridian Hospitals as a laboratory scientist about 19 years ago but resigned because he could no longer cope with seeing patients struggle for survival due to lack of funds. He said his return was to help provide free medical care to the less privileged.
Sources disclosed that China often clashed with hospital authorities in the past for insisting that critically ill patients be treated first, regardless of their ability to pay. Years later, he returned to the same hospital to support a free medical scheme and also visited the hospital’s headquarters to present cash gifts and palliatives to staff members who worked with him and had remained in service.
He urged wealthy individuals in society to continue giving back, while other partners appealed to government to urgently establish an effective health insurance system that would ensure Nigerians receive care without prohibitive upfront payments.
Over 400 persons were expected to benefit from the outreach held at the Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School field in the D/Line area of Port Harcourt.
Services provided included general medical consultations, eye tests, distribution of free reading glasses, booking for eye surgeries, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, malaria testing and treatment, free prescriptions, as well as preventive health talks on hygiene, maternal health and nutrition.
The outreach, themed “Bringing Healthcare to the Community,” attracted large crowds, with beneficiaries arriving as early as 7 a.m. before the medical team commenced consultations.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organisers and offered prayers for God’s blessings upon them. One of them, 63-year-old Jerry Onwuso, said it was his first time seeing an eye doctor in years and expressed joy at receiving proper eye care and free glasses without paying any money. He appealed for the programme to be sustained.
Another beneficiary, Loveth Sam, commended the initiative and called on the sponsors to expand its scope.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr Iyke Odo, described China as a hardworking and compassionate individual with a long-standing passion for giving. He recalled that China had always demonstrated kindness, humanity and generosity.
“Not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give,” he said.
Dr Odo also called on governments at all levels to urgently review and strengthen Nigeria’s health insurance system, lamenting the frequent abandonment of critically ill patients due to lack of money.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the vehicle conveying Anthony Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated.
DSP Babaseyi stated that the boxer, who was seated at the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and is presently receiving medical attention at a hospital.
“Tragically, two other passengers in the vehicle lost their lives at the scene. The deceased have been conveyed to the Livewell Hospital morgue in Sagamu,” he said.
He added that the Ogun State Police Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the public that a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident has commenced.
Actor Alesh Sanni has expressed disappointment over the outpouring of grief on social media following the death of his colleague, actress Allwell Ademola, questioning the sincerity of many of the condolences.
Allwell Ademola reportedly passed away on Saturday, December 27, at the age of 49.
In a video shared on Instagram, Sanni criticised what he described as inconsistent support within the industry, noting that many of those now posting emotional tributes failed to promote Ademola’s films while she was alive.
He stressed that the late actress was also a producer who deserved more genuine recognition and support during her lifetime, rather than what he viewed as performative sympathy after her death.
Alesh said, “What I don’t understand is why are people so quick to post bad news.
“This is disturbing! This is disheartening! Someone will do birthday andyou guys will never post them like this…She was a producer.
“You people wouldn’t repost any of her movies, so why are you posting now? Someone hasn’t d!ed beyond 30 minutes and the news is all over your pages…why?”
A coalition of civil society organisations under the platform, The Patriots, has dismissed allegations that the Tax Reform Acts 2025 were altered after passage by the National Assembly, insisting that official parliamentary records remain intact and unchanged.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the group said the claims of discrepancies between the Acts as passed and the versions published in the Official Gazette “do not hold water,” describing them as unsupported by facts and existing legislative records.
Signed by Muhammad E. Dauda on behalf of The Patriots, the group said the authoritative records of the National Assembly are the Votes and Proceedings of both the Senate and the House of Representatives dated May 28, 2025, which were published on May 29, 2025, and have been in circulation since then.
According to the coalition, a careful review of the harmonised copies of the Tax Acts, the Votes and Proceedings, as well as the Conference Committee reports, showed no material discrepancies in the laws passed by both chambers.
While acknowledging allegations that two versions of the Acts may have appeared in the Official Gazette, the group stressed that gazetting is an administrative and ministerial function that cannot amend or override laws validly enacted by the legislature.
“Gazetting merely gives public notice of laws already passed. It does not confer authority to alter, amend or rewrite Acts of the National Assembly,” the statement said.
The group cited several court decisions to support its position, noting that Nigerian courts have consistently held that administrative publications cannot alter the substance or intent of legislation duly passed by parliament.
The Patriots further noted that although allegations of alterations are serious and should be addressed through appropriate internal mechanisms, the burden of proof rests on those making such claims.
“Pending any judicial determination, Acts duly passed by the National Assembly remain valid and binding,” the coalition said, adding that any administrative irregularities cannot invalidate legislation or undermine parliamentary authority.
The group commended the leadership of the National Assembly for its decision to re-gazette the Tax Acts in their correct form, as reflected in the harmonised clean copies, Votes and Proceedings, and Conference Reports.
It described calls for suspension of implementation, repeal or re-enactment of the laws as unnecessary and constitutionally unsound, warning that such actions could create avoidable legal and fiscal uncertainty.
The Patriots also praised the directive by the National Assembly leadership for the Clerk to issue Certified True Copies of the Acts to members of the public on request, describing it as a step that promotes transparency and public confidence.
The coalition urged Nigerians to respect parliamentary records, support the prompt re-gazetting of the Tax Acts, and avoid narratives that could undermine democratic institutions.
Everlasting Fountain Welfare Initiative has announced plans to build a 500-capacity shelter for the homeless in Obafemi, Ogun State, stressing its commitment to supporting vulnerable indigents.
This was announced at the second anniversary celebration of the foundation, which began on Friday, with a community Table Tennis Tournament.
The event brought together residents, businesses and team members for a friendly competition, focusing on community spirit and local engagement.
The project, according to the initiative, is designed not just as temporary housing but as a rehabilitation and empowerment centre to guide individuals and rebuild their lives.
During the anniversary dinner and fundraiser in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Council of Ogun State, the founder, Abiola Adeniyi, emphasised that the goal was to provide immediate relief and stability to those facing homelessness in the community.
She noted that the passion behind the foundation came from a deep desire to meet people at their point of need, whether financial help or emotional reassurance.
Speaking on the plan for homes, Adeniyi said beneficiaries would receive training based on their interests and natural talents, with support from professionals in areas such as shoemaking, hairdressing, tailoring, farming, soap making and decoration among others.
She also mentioned that a farming institute was included in the plan, where residents would learn agricultural skills and cultivate their own food.
“The shelter won’t be a permanent residence but a training ground. We want to reintegrate people into society and help them become useful and productive,” she said.
The co-founder, Victor Adeniyi, added that the foundation was created to address societal challenges often overlooked by others.
“People are struggling with what they will eat next. This concerns us because we are members of society. Our mission is to reintegrate and bring hope to people,” he said.
He expressed hope of completing the shelter before December 2026, urging well-to-do Nigerians to support the cause.
Earlier, the foundation held its community table tennis tournament where five winners were rewarded with N100,000, N50,000, N30,000 and consolation prizes for others.
