Entertainment
Nigeria’s Box Office Records N301.48m Revenue In Feb
The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) yesterday said that it realised N301.48 million from tickets sold across the country in February.
CEAN’s National President, Mr Patrick Lee, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide source in Lagos.
Lee said this was a tremendous increase compared with N224.34 million realised from ticket sales in February 2021.
“In spite of the usual decline in attendance in February, box office revenue for 2022 was 26 per cent higher than the amount recorded in the comparative period of 2021. Attendance is within similar range at 185,000.
“Films such as “Uncharted”, “Dinner at My Place”, “Blacklight”, “Before Valentine’s”, “Head Over Bills” and “Marry Me”, amongst others, drove the numbers.
“This has so far, helped cinemas stay afloat in preparation for the spike from March, when “The Batman” would open strictly in cinemas,” he said.
Lee said the top five highest grossing films in Nigeria for February and the admission rate were: “Uncharted”- 49,109; “Dinner at My Place”- 21,448; “Blacklight”- 10,767; “Before Valentine’s”- 12,315 and “Spiderman: No Way Home”- 11,844.
He noted that 70 per cent of the films exhibited in cinemas in February were from Hollywood while Nollywood accounted for 30 per cent.
Lee disclosed that the films to be released into the cinemas in the month of March were: “The American King”; “The Batman”; “Boycott”, “Turning Red”; “Dejavu”; “Mama’s Big Stick”; “The Contractor”; “Rising Sun”; “Obsession”; “Ambulance” and “A Simple Lie”.
“March opens with exciting expectations at the box office, as Robert Pattinson is set to deliver screen brilliance in his first performance as Bruce Wayne of Gotham city, in the blockbuster – “The Batman”.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’
