The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • NOA lauds Funke Akindele on Box Office achievement

    NOA lauds Funke Akindele on Box Office achievement

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has congratulated actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele on the record-breaking performance of her latest movie ‘Behind the Scenes’, at the box office.

    The film has crossed the N2.2 billion mark at the Nigerian box office, becoming the first Nollywood film to achieve this milestone.

    According to NOA on X, the movie’s success extends beyond Nigeria, with earnings of over $111,256 in Canada and $190,249 in North America.

    The statement reads: “Funke Akindele Remains in Front with Behind the Scenes. Big screens, big stars, and even bigger numbers! Funke Akindele has done it again, and this time, she did not just break records, she shattered them.

    “Her latest movie titled “Behind the Scenes” has officially crossed ₦2.1 billion at the Nigerian box office, making history as the first Nollywood film ever to hit the ₦2 billion mark.

    Read Also: Funke Akindele makes history in Canada, North America with “Behind The Scenes”

    “The flex did not stop at home, the movie also showed modest global muscle, raking in over $111,256 in Canada and an impressive $190,249 across North America. From Lagos to Toronto, from cinemas in Abuja to theatres overseas — this movie had everyone locked in.

    “This big win solidifies the movie as the highest grossing Nollywood film of all time in Africa, the UK, and Ireland, makes her the first filmmaker to rank number one at the box office in Africa for three consecutive years, while also proving that Nigerian stories are going global”.

    This achievement marks Akindele’s position as a top filmmaker in Africa, marking her third consecutive year as the top-grossing filmmaker on the continent.

  • My success a testament of not giving up – Mercy Aigbe

    My success a testament of not giving up – Mercy Aigbe

    Actress and filmmaker Mercy Aigbe has spoken about her career journey, joys and responsibilities of motherhood, describing it as her greatest source of pride.

    In a recent interview on The Morayo Show, Aigbe emphasised her reliance on faith to navigate the challenges of motherhood and life in general.

    “Wherever I am today is a testament to me not giving up. Being a mother is actually what I am most proud of. I just love being a mother, and I think it is a huge blessing that God has placed the responsibility on me to nurture another human being, and I don’t want to fail at it,” Aigbe said.

    Aigbe, who credits faith for guiding her, said she often asks God for strength and wisdom.

    “Even though I ask God for strength most times, I also ask Him for wisdom. I just love being a mum,” she stated.

    Speaking on the loss of her mother, Mercy Aigbe recalled struggling to accept her passing while abroad.

    “Up until we laid her to rest, I was in denial. I wasn’t in the country when she passed, so my husband called me and said, ‘Babe, there is something I have to tell you,’ and then he said, ‘Your mum has passed,’” she recalled.

    The actress also admitted that the reality of her mother’s death still feels surreal.

    Read Also: Mercy Aigbe, Itele, other celebrities born on New Year’s Day

    “I don’t know how to describe losing her. I still have her clothes intact. It feels like a dream to me. It is indescribable,” she said.

    Aigbe noted that she shared a close bond with her mother and had hoped she would recover from her illness.

    “I was very close to my mum. Even though she had been ill for a while, I was hoping she would get better. It is a pain that never goes away; you just learn to live with it,” she added.

    She said the loss took a toll on her professional life, prompting her to pause filmmaking temporarily.

    “I didn’t produce a movie last December because of the loss of my mum. I knew I wasn’t mentally ready,” Aigbe added.

  • Omoni Oboli hails actors Michael Dappa, Ekama Etim

    Omoni Oboli hails actors Michael Dappa, Ekama Etim

    Filmmaker and actress Omoni Oboli has praised her actors, Michael Dappa and Ekama Etim Inyang, for their exceptional talent and character.

    In an Instagram post, Oboli expressed love and admiration for the duo, highlighting their growth and evolution as artists.

    She wrote: “Micheal and Ekama, this is from my heart @officialmichaeldappa @ekamaetiminyang. I love you both so deeply, so truly. Watching you grow, evolve, and step fully into who God has called you both to be is one of my greatest joys. Your talent is undeniable, but even more beautiful is your character, your loyalty, your humility, your work ethic, and the way you carry yourselves with grace and heart”.

    She commended Michael’s gift, depth, and heart, saying he brings truth to everything he does.

    “Micheal, you have a gift that speaks so loud without trying. You bring truth, depth, and heart into everything you do, and it shows. I am so proud of the man and artist you are becoming. You make me incredibly proud to call you mine”, she added.

    Oboli also praised Ekama’s gentle yet powerful presence, warmth, and sincerity, noting that she’s a joy to work with.

    “Ekama, your light is gentle but oh so powerful. You bring warmth, sincerity, and such a beautiful presence into every space you enter. You are a joy to work with, the crew adore you, you never complain even when conditions aren’t the best! You give of yourself wholeheartedly and you are an absolute blessing to me”, she wrote.

    Oboli thanked both actors for their commitment, excellence, and love, saying she’s grateful to walk this journey with them.

    “Thank you both for your commitment, your excellence, and the love you pour into the work. I see you. I appreciate you. I believe in you. I’m rooting for you and I am so grateful to walk this journey with you”, she concluded.

  • Tonto Dikeh shares testimony on faith, forgiveness after reconciliation with ex-husband

    Tonto Dikeh shares testimony on faith, forgiveness after reconciliation with ex-husband

    Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has taken to social media to share a personal testimony on her spiritual journey, highlighting the transformative power of forgiveness.

    Her reflection follows a recent reconciliation with her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, ending a decade-long public feud.

    Dikeh credited God for healing their relationship and restoring peace between them.

    Describing herself as a vessel for God’s love and mercy, the actress expressed gratitude for the inner peace and joy she now experiences.

    She also spoke on the process of spiritual growth, noting that God often breaks and rebuilds individuals, removing negative traits and reshaping their character for a higher purpose.

    Dikeh wrote, “I am that woman the Lord has shown mercy. I am that woman who stands as living proof that God never fails. I am that woman who knows who she is and whose she is.

    Read Also: 2026 Grammy Awards: Clipse and Pharrell set to duet

    “I am a living, breathing incubated prophecy of God. I am that woman who carries a peace that defies logic and understanding. I’ve got joy that makes no sense. I am that woman who has tasted the weight of God’s love; nothing compares to it. His power, His beauty, His anointing.

    “I am that woman called and fashioned as an Esther-mandated vessel, set apart for such a time as this. I am that woman whose greatest pursuit is to know her God more and more.

    “I have learned that there is no true salvation without God first breaking you, then rebuilding you in His image. In the process, He cleanses you, purges you, and strips away hate, bitterness, pride, and unforgiveness until only His nature remains.

    “And if my life speaks at all, it is a canvas of God’s unending love, mercy, and faithfulness”.

    Dikeh encouraged those struggling to forgive to seek God’s help, emphasising forgiveness as a path to freedom and healing.

    “To anyone seeking a forgiving spirit: Be encouraged. Forgiveness is not weakness. It is freedom. It is God’s gift to heal your heart before He heals your story. What you release, God restores. What you surrender, He redeems”.

    The mother of one concluded with a prayer for the restoration of broken relationships and the reignition of love in hearts.

    “Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for every heart longing to forgive but struggling to let go. Pour Your grace where wounds still ache. Soften hardened places and replace bitterness with healing.

    “I pray for the restoration of broken family relationships where love was lost, breathe life again; where communication died, restore understanding; where division took root, plant peace and unity.

    “Rebuild homes, restore trust, and let Your love reign in every heart. Do what only You can do, Lord, because when You rebuild, it is always better than before. Amen,” she added.

  • Bidemi Kosoko welcomes new child, family celebrates

    Bidemi Kosoko welcomes new child, family celebrates

    Actress Bidemi Kosoko, daughter of veteran actor Jide Kosoko, has welcomed a new child.

    The announcement was made on Instagram by her sister and colleague, Sola Kosoko.

    Sola praised God for the addition to the family, describing Him as “The author and finisher of our faith”.

    Read Also: Olakunle Churchill hails Tonto Dikeh as ‘amazing mother’ amid reconciliation

    She wrote, “Praiseeee God. Awesome God. The author and finisher of our faith

    “Join us to welcome our newest baby in the family to @bidemi_kosoko. Congratulations to the Bankole and Kosoko Family”.

    The announcement sparked widespread congratulations from Nollywood stars, entertainers, and fans, who took to the comment section to celebrate the Kosoko and Bankole families.

  • Olakunle Churchill hails Tonto Dikeh as ‘amazing mother’ amid reconciliation

    Olakunle Churchill hails Tonto Dikeh as ‘amazing mother’ amid reconciliation

    Olakunle Churchill, businessman and ex-husband of actress Tonto Dikeh, has expressed appreciation for Dikeh’s personal growth following their reconciliation.

    In an Instagram post on Sunday, Churchill acknowledged the peaceful resolution of their marital feud and thanked God for restoring their relationship.

    Churchill revealed he received a call from their son, King Andre, for the first time, describing it as a reminder of God’s power.

    He thanked Dikeh for being an “amazing mother” to their son and expressed gratitude for her growth, saying their focus is now on co-parenting with “love, care, and mutual respect”.

    He wrote, “I was pleasantly surprised when I received a call from my son, King Andre, for the first time. Hearing him call me “Daddy” was deeply touching and a reminder that what God cannot do does not exist.

    “Faith has a way of bringing clarity, humility and peace. I acknowledge the growth and grace evident in the manner in which this matter has been resolved.

    Read Also: Reaching the Unreached: How local pharmacists and vendors are solving Nigeria’s family planning crisis

    “With God leading, healing and understanding have become possible. Forgiveness has paved the way for a new chapter and we are moving forward with a sense of peace and mutual respect. The conflict is behind us, and we are now focused on co-parenting with love, care, and a shared commitment to raising our son.

    “I am grateful for the journey we’ve been on and the growth we’ve experienced, and I look forward to a future filled with collaboration, respect, and peace trusting God to guide me.

    “I am grateful to have my son back in my life. Thank you to the amazing mother of my son Tonto Dikeh for doing a good job”.

    The development followed Dikeh’s reflection on their 10-year split, where she credited God for restoring their relationship.

  • 2026 Grammy Awards: Clipse and Pharrell set to duet

    2026 Grammy Awards: Clipse and Pharrell set to duet

    Thirteen-Time Grammy winner, Pharrell Williams and talented rap duo Clipse are set to perform at the 68th Grammy Awards.

    The highly anticipated performance is scheduled to take place on February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

    Clipse is nominated for five Grammy Awards this year, including Album of the Year for ‘Let God Sort Em Out’, Best Rap Performance ‘Chains & Whips’, Best Rap Song ‘The Birds Don’t Sing’, Best Rap Album ‘Let God Sort Em Out’ and Best Music Video ‘So Be It’.

    Read Also: Nigerians will determine Tinubu’s successor, says Deputy Speaker

    Pharrell Williams also earned four Grammy nominations for his contributions to Clipse’s nominated project, ‘Let God Sort Em Out’.

    Earlier, American singer-songwriter and actress Sabrina Carpenter was announced as the first artiste to wow the crowd at music’s biggest night

    Other stars billed to perform include current Best New Artist nominees, Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR and The Marías. These artistes will appear in a special Best New Artist performance segment during the ceremony.

    Additional performers will be announced in the coming days, according to the Recording Academy.

  • How we combated piracy with Ageshinkole 2 – Femi Adebayo

    How we combated piracy with Ageshinkole 2 – Femi Adebayo

    Nigerian actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo has explained how he and his collaborators combated piracy when they opted for community screening of his current film, ‘Ageshinkole 2’.

    In an honest interview, Adebayo explained that the piracy end was handled by Circuit TV, one of his two collaborators, and they achieved success with the film grossing over N400m in the first 12 days.

    In his words, “Piracy was fully handled by circuit TV. They have an extremely wonderful structure in which the content they have can be pirated. Then with Blue Pictures, my distributor, we brought together our experience and we had no doubts that with our logistics and framework, we would get it right.”

    Read Also: Nigerians will determine Tinubu’s successor, says Deputy Speaker

    In December 2025, Femi Adebayo announced ‘Ageshinkole 2: King of Thieves 2’ with a unique Community Cinema tour across Nigeria, a move he described as giving back to fans and innovating distribution by taking the film directly to local communities, departing from traditional cinema releases.

    He emphasized that the sequel builds on the first franchise’s epic success, promising deeper drama, suspense, and a continuation of culturally rich storytelling, with showings in local areas all through December 2025 into early January 2026.

  • I deprived myself of many things to become successful, says Funke Akindele

    I deprived myself of many things to become successful, says Funke Akindele

    Nigerian billionaire actress, Funke Akindele has opened up on how hard work and dedication are responsible for the success she enjoys in her craft.

    In a recent chat, Akindele expressed that she deprived herself of many things to achieve the success she enjoys today.

    The 48-year-old mother of two confessed to depriving herself of social gatherings, events, vacations and other activities to achieve the success she enjoys with her brand. She further said she locked herself away inside Amen Estate for three years to build her brand and several contents, which are now her source of pride.

    Read Also: Youth-led dialogue charts path for restoring trust in Nigeria’s elections

    “Hard work is hard work. You work hard, putting in the work when you need to, depriving yourself of things many will go after so as to achieve the success you are aiming for. When I say hard work, I mean locking myself away in Amen Estate for three years building the Jenifa brand, working on Industreet, Aiyetoro, My siblings and I, and other content. I deprived myself of vacations, parties, events, no friends, nothing, just me and my team, working tirelessly, creating and working hard to achieve the success many now see. So, when I say putting in the hard work, I don’t just say that carelessly, I mean putting in the real hard work.

    Continuing, she said, “When I am on the set of my films, I am not a diva, I am everywhere and very hands-on, no wig, just on my rough corn rows, working hard and seeing that everything is in perfect order. I go through all that till work is done, and then we can now start preparing for marketing and all the glam and dancing. So, it’s hard work that turns into success.”

    Funke Akindele broke her own record of producing the first Nigerian film to gross over one billion in the cinemas in 2024 and has gone ahead to produce the first Nigerian film to gross over two billion in the cinemas.

  • Tems: ‘Big Daddy’ was inspired by an experience

    Tems: ‘Big Daddy’ was inspired by an experience

    Temilade Openiyi aka Tems has opened up on what inspired one of her current songs, ‘Big Daddy.’

    In a recent interview, Tems admitted that the song is a feel good song that was inspired by an experience.

    In her words, “Big Daddy was inspired by an experience of a type of person. I would describe the type of person as someone who wants to look cool but doesn’t work on themselves internally, it translates to they want to have control but they don’t add any value.”

    Read Also: Nigeria back on global economic frontline says Shettima, returns to Abuja

    The Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single ‘Essence,’ which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber.

    Tems has since gone ahead to win Grammy Awards, American Music Awards and BET Music Awards. She’s currently signed to RCA records in the United States of America.