The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • FilmOne secures distribution right to Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’

    FilmOne secures distribution right to Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’

    Nigeria’s film distribution company, FilmOne Entertainment, has secured an exclusive global distribution right to Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele’s next feature, “Behind the Scenes.”

    The deal, which followed the record-breaking N3.3 billion combined success of Akindele’s box office slates, further cements FilmOne’s status as a driving force behind some of the country’s highest-grossing films.

    FilmOne Entertainment, known for consistently delivering record-breaking titles, continues to shape the commercial landscape of Nollywood by backing visionary filmmakers and delivering premium cinema experiences to audiences nationwide.

    With Behind the Scene, Akindele once again partners with FilmOne to bring an inspiring story to life; one that promises to blend laughter, heart, and relatable storytelling in the tradition of her previous box office successes.

    The film is scheduled for nationwide release on December 12 and is already one of the most anticipated titles of the upcoming cinema calendar, as observed at the 2025 FilmOne Entertainment’s Exhibitors’ Showcase.

    READ ALSO: NLC issues four-week ultimatum to FG over ASUU crisis

    FilmOne Entertainment raised the bar at the 2025 Exhibitors’ Showcase, turning its presentation into a full-scale cinematic experience that drew applause from exhibitors, filmmakers, and industry partners.

    The event celebrated FilmOne’s dual strength in championing Nollywood while driving global studio partnerships, underscoring its role as West Africa’s leading content powerhouse.

    The Nollywood slate for 2025 was met with resounding excitement as FilmOne unveiled a diverse lineup of highly anticipated titles including The Herd, 3 Cold Dishes, Behind the Scene, Colors of Fire, Oversabi Aunty, War Lord, and more.

    These upcoming releases showcase the studio’s expanding creative footprint across genres; from intense drama and romance to comedy and action – reinforcing its commitment to scaling Nigerian storytelling for global audiences.

    The momentum continued with FilmOne’s Hollywood slate, featuring blockbuster titles such as Now You See Me, Avatar, Zootopia, Sisu, Anaconda and more.

    Through its exclusive partnerships with major Hollywood studios including Disney, Sony, and Warner Bros., FilmOne continues to deliver world-class cinematic experiences to African audiences.

    More than a showcase, the event reflected FilmOne’s evolution into a global player as a company that curates culture, drives creative collaboration, and defines the future of African cinema through bold storytelling and strategic partnerships.

    This came as FilmOne and acclaimed filmmaker and actress Toyin Abraham reunite for blockbuster December slate following Iyalode’s over N300 million success.

    Following the success of Iyalode, FilmOne has once again partnered with Abraham to distribute her highly anticipated December film lineup.

    The new collaboration reinforces the long-standing relationship between FilmOne and one of Nollywood’s most bankable stars, whose previous releases; including Alakada, and Iyalode delivered strong box office performances and solidified her reputation as a holiday season favorite.

    By securing exclusive distribution rights to Abraham’s upcoming December titles, FilmOne Entertainment continues to strengthen its leadership position in African film distribution, championing female-led narratives and driving Nigeria’s biggest cinema moments year after year.

  • Nkechi Blessing escapes second Lekki ceiling collapse in two months

    Nkechi Blessing escapes second Lekki ceiling collapse in two months

    Actress and entrepreneur Nkechi Blessing has for the second time in two months escaped injury after a portion of the POP ceiling in her Lekki residence collapsed unexpectedly.

    The actress shared a video of the damage on Instagram on Monday, where she voiced frustration and resolve to relocate.

    Read Also: Near-death accident brought me closer to God – Kelechi Udegbe

    In the post, Blessing described the event as another clear sign to leave Lekki, humorously stating that fans watch her films to help her afford a new home in Victoria Island or Ikoyi.

    Nkechi wrote: “Lekki THANK YOU, another sign to pack my bags and leave. Second time in the space of 2 months.. Abeg make una watch my film make I fit go buy house for vi or ikoyi,I fit Dey smile oooo but deep down I am going through a lot.”

  • Near-death accident brought me closer to God – Kelechi Udegbe

    Near-death accident brought me closer to God – Kelechi Udegbe

    Actor Kelechi Udegbe has shared an harrowing experience of surviving a near-fatal car accident in Lagos.

    In a recent interview on the WithChude podcast, Udegbe described the November 2023 incident as a life-changing experience that strengthened his spiritual connection and took his faith to a new level.

    According to Udegbe, the accident occurred shortly after he parted ways with friend and colleague Gregory Ojefua.

    He recalled asking Ojefua about his destination and Ojefua replied that he was heading towards the Eko Bridge, while Udegbe said he was going through the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Udegbe said his memory of the event cuts off at that point and he woke up in the hospital with no recollection of what happened.

    He said: “That accident was crazy. I was with Gregory Ojefua, my guy. Greg is my guy. We just finished where we were. I asked him where hin dey go. And he said he was going through the Eko Bridge. I said I was going through Third Mainland. And that was it.

    “And I entered the car and drove off. The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital. I was like looking around and started asking what is going on? I said I was supposed to be on set.

    “The next thing was seeing a bandage around my neck. I could not turn my neck. I was told to calm down. I did not know what was going on.”

    “I couldn’t move my neck because I had a whiplash from the accident, so turning my neck became difficult and painful. I had to go for therapy. When I came in to see the doctor three days later, he looked at me, checked the car again, and said to me, ‘Go and sin no more.’ It felt like Jesus Christ was talking to me”.

    He credited the accident with deepening his Christian faith, saying it had a profound impact on his spiritual journey.

    “I would say before the accident, I was a Christian. I believe in God, pray, and all that. Since the accident, my conversation with God, my belief in God is a notch higher,” he added.

  • Acting more demanding than Engineering – Etinosa Idemudia

    Acting more demanding than Engineering – Etinosa Idemudia

    Actress Etinosa Idemudia has argued acting surpasses engineering in its challenges, drawing from her dual experience in both fields.

    Speaking on the Bold Enough To Say It podcast, Idemudia described acting as an intensely demanding profession that requires significant dedication and endurance, often misunderstood by those outside the film industry.

    Idemudia, who transitioned from engineering to acting, contrasted the structured hours of her former career with the unpredictable schedules and emotional investment required in acting.

    Read Also: Actress Etinosa Idemudia celebrates liposuction surgery

    She emphasised the grueling nature of the profession, calling it “a crazy kind of work” that demands resilience.

    Urging her fellow actors to take pride in their craft, she encouraged them to stand firm against external judgments that downplay the seriousness of their work.

    She said: “I have been an engineer and I have been an actor, no offence to my colleagues in the engineering world but I dare say that being an actor is much more tasking. It’s a crazy kind of work. It’s a mad person’s work. Don’t let those people that close by 5pm to come and insult us”.

  • Actress Eve Esin ties knot with Ghanaian partner 

    Actress Eve Esin ties knot with Ghanaian partner 

    Actress Eve Esin has tied the knot with Ghanaian partner in a beautiful ceremony over the weekend in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    A video from the event surfaced online just days after Eve announced her upcoming marriage through a series of pre-wedding photos shared on her Instagram page.

    Read Also: Acting more demanding than Engineering – Etinosa Idemudia

    In one of the pictures, the actress affectionately captioned it, “My Ghana Jollof y’all.”

    Fans and colleagues have since taken to her Instagram page to celebrate the union, showering the actress with warm wishes and congratulatory messages.

  • Reality star Tuoyo blames Regina Daniels’ mother over marital crises

    Reality star Tuoyo blames Regina Daniels’ mother over marital crises

    Ex-BBNaija housemate Tuoyo has criticised Rita Daniels, mother of actress Regina Daniels, for allowing her daughter to marry at a young age.

    In a post on his Instagram story, Tuoyo expressed concerns about modern parenting, stating that parents today are failing to properly guide their children.

    Using Regina Daniels’ early marriage as an example, Tuoyo described it as a failure in parental responsibility.

    Read Also: Regina Daniels’ drug abuse behind marital crises, Ned Nwoko alleges

    He lamented that parents in earlier generations were more involved in their children’s lives, ensuring they knew their whereabouts and choices.

    “Nowadays parents mess us up a lot, how will your child travel to another country for like 3 weeks and you don’t know at all, what is your job?

    ”Back those days our parents know where we at and when we coming back home. Eg imagine how Regina mum let her go with a man by 17/18 years — a child who doesn’t know anything. Parents need to better,” he wrote.

    Tuoyo’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about Regina Daniels’ marriage to Senator Ned Nwoko, which has been marred by allegations of domestic abuse.

    The controversy has sparked a heated debate about parenting, child protection, and societal pressures influencing life-altering decisions.

  • How touring affected my love life – Ruger

    How touring affected my love life – Ruger

    Afrobeats singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka popularly known as Ruger has disclosed that his constant touring has negatively impacted his love life.

    In a social media post, he stated that his romantic relationships have suffered due to his hectic schedule and increased attention from fans.

    The singer expressed a desire to settle down soon, citing the challenges of maintaining relationships while on the road.

    “Being on the road has really affected my love life. It became worse after i went back to my black hair and low cut coz these girls have been over rushing me. But deep down, I really wanna settle down soon,” he wrote.

    He added that touring has also strained his family relationships, admitting he rarely sees his loved ones.

    Ruger also claimed to be the most booked Nigerian artist globally, with fans worldwide seeking his performances. 

    “I hardly even see my family because trust me, I’m the most booked artist in this country. People want to see me on stage around the world. They want that Ruger sauce every month,” he added.

  • Why I won’t marry again – Black Coffee

    Why I won’t marry again – Black Coffee

    Renowned South African DJ and Grammy-winning producer, Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo popularly known as Black Coffee, has declared that he will never remarry.

    He stated this on a recent episode of Podcast and Chill, revealing that he’s finally at peace with himself and won’t let societal expectations dictate his life.

    According to him, his decision stems from the pressure he faced from parents and society after achieving success.

    He explained how they urged him to settle down, but he refused, stating he’s now prioritising his personal growth and artistic journey.

    He said: “I won’t get married again. I’m clear about that because I am now in a better space in understanding who I am. I also understand the kind of pressure society puts you in without ever backing you up,” he said.

    “With my career, especially because it wasn’t so obvious, meaning I wasn’t going to get a degree and become a lawyer. It was very unclear, but as soon as it popped, everyone was wowed. I bought my first house and car, and they [my parents] were like, ‘When are you getting a wife?’”

    His ex-wife, actress Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, separated from him in 2019 due to alleged infidelity. 

  • Ghana influenced many Nigerian hit songs – Singer Lasmid

    Ghana influenced many Nigerian hit songs – Singer Lasmid

    Ghanaian musician Ladsmid Nathaniel Owusu popularly known as Lasmid has claimed that many Nigerian Afrobeats songs gained popularity in Ghana before being widely accepted in Nigeria. 

    The 26-year-old said this in an interview with Hip TV, citing the example of Spyro’s song “Who’s Your Guy,” which he claims was a huge hit in Ghana before gaining traction in Nigeria.

    “We love Nigerians so much, even more than ourselves. If a Nigerian drops a song, it will first blow in Ghana before it blows in Nigeria. Most Nigerian songs blew in Ghana before blowing back home.

    “The song ‘Who’s Your Guy’ by Spyro blew in Ghana before Nigeria. The song was very big in Ghana before Nigerians caught the wave. The love Ghana has for Nigeria has always been there,” he expressed.

    He attributed this phenomenon to the strong affection Ghanaians have for Nigerian artists, often embracing their music more enthusiastically than their own local talents.

  • I became a father at 14, built first house at 16 – Shina Peters

    I became a father at 14, built first house at 16 – Shina Peters

    Renowned Juju musician Oluwashina Peters popularly known as Sir Shina Peters has recounted how he began his career at 10, purchased his first car at 13, became a father at 14 and built his first house by 16.

    The 67-year-old revealed this during an appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast.

    “I started my career at the age of 10. I had my first child at 14. I bought my first car at 13. I built my first house at 16,” he said.

    Despite his storied career, Peters expressed reluctance to return to active music production.

    He referenced an unconducive creative environment and a lack of inspiration as barriers to new work, stating that the current music landscape does not align with his artistic style.

    The musician noted that 65 percent of his fanbase now consists of Igbo listeners, rather than his native Yoruba community, with many urging him to release new music.

    However, he remains hesitant, unsure of what themes to explore in today’s industry.

    He said: “65 per cent of my fans are Igbos, not Yorubas. My fans are demanding that I give them new music but I don’t just go to the studio. I can’t go to the studio, the atmosphere is not conducive for me. I don’t know what to sing.”

    Born in 1958 in Lagos, Nigeria, Sir Shina Peters is celebrated for pioneering Afrojuju, a fusion of traditional Juju with Afrobeat and funk.

    His 1980s and 1990s hits, including albums like Ace and Shina Peters Live, cemented his legacy as a cornerstone of Nigerian music history.