Entertainment
2023 AMVCA’s Top Four Female Nominees
The Nigerian film and movie industry and the continent at large are gearing up for another exciting edition of the prestigious Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) organized by MultiChoice. This year’s nominees list is a testament to the growth of the film and movie industry in Nigeria. Among the nominees are some A-list female acts who are no strangers to the AMVCA stage. Listed in no particular order here are four female nominees to watch out for.
Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa, has made her mark on the big screen. She won the Best Actress in a Comedy award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards for her lead role in the show Jenifa’s Diary. She repeated the feat in 2020 and earned nine nominations in 2022, including Best Actress for her movie ‘Omo Ghetto’. This year, Funke Akindele’s ‘Battle on Buka Street’ has garnered ten nominations, surpassing her previous record.
Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson’s career in the Nigerian film industry speaks for itself. She has been recognized for her onscreen talent with multiple AMVCA nominations, dating back to 2013 when she was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy, alongside Funke Akindele. In 2022, she was nominated for her role in the movie ‘The New Normal’ as Best Supporting Actress. This year, she is a contender in the category for Best Actress in a Comedy/TV Series.
Osas Ighodaro
Osas Ighodaro, a former beauty queen and winner of the Best Actress in a Drama Series at the 8th edition of the AMVCAs, has been in the acting industry since 2014. She also co-hosted the 2014 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards. This year, she is gunning for a consecutive grab. Osas is a contender for the Best Actress in a Drama, Movie, or TV Series category for her performance in the movie ‘Man of God’.
Bimbo Ademoye
Bimbo Ademoye is a rising star in the Nigerian movie industry, known for her versatile acting skills and ability to take on multiple roles. She has been nominated for three awards at the 9th Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA), including Best Actress in a Comedy, Best Online Social Content Creator, and Best Actress in a Drama. She began her acting career in 2014 with the short film ‘Where Talent Lies’ and was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy/TV Series at the AMVCA in 2018 and 2022 for her roles in the films ‘Backup Wife’ and ‘Breaded Life’, respectively.
Other returning AMVCA nominees to watch out for include Sola Sobowale, Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, and Toni Tones. Voting has commenced. Visit Africa Magic website– www.africamagic.tv/amvca to vote for your favourite nominee(s).
The AMVCA 9 will be a three-day event from May 18-20, 2023, celebrating the talents of African film production, culture, fashion, music, and more. The awards are proudly brought to you by Africa Magic in Association with Multichoice and sponsored by Amstel Malta and Zagg Energy Drink. Join the conversation using the hashtag #AMVCA9 and follow @africamagictv for live tweets.
Entertainment
Mercy Johnson Reveals Reason Behind Weight Loss, Says I Had Cancer Scare, Underwent Thyroid Surgery
Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has opened up about her health struggles and her sudden weight loss.
The movie star recently sparked concerns with her drastic weight loss, which has been the subject of intense discussion across social media platforms.
In a recent conversation with veteran actress Joke Silva, Okojie explained that she had a cancer scare and underwent a thyroid removal surgery.
She said, “I had a cancer scare and I had my thyroid removed. I was like a journey for us because we have kids and my lastborn was six month old at that time, we [my husband and I] kept saying, we had to understand this is the new us, let’s go get the surgery done.
“When we got there, they said that I was going to be on medication for the rest of my life. We had to sit down, they were saying I can’t miss my medication, telling me the side effects. So, I’m reconciling with this you are saying [my weight loss]. I’m at the point where you realised that this is where we are, let’s grow from here and live in this comfort zone.”
DailyPost
Chief Magistrate Court in Ifo, Ogun State, sentenced Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, to three months in prison for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.
He was offered the option of paying a N30,000 fine.
The court found Portable guilty of two charges stemming from a November 18, 2022, incident in Okeosa, Ilogbo.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Olumide Awoleke, the singer attacked an officer, obstructed an arrest, and was involved in the theft of studio equipment.
The charge sheet listed three offences: conspiracy to conduct assault, physical attack on an officer, and theft of music equipment, including a Yamaha studio monitor and an AKG microphone.
“That you, Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, and others now at large, on the 18th day of November 2022 at 11:00 hrs, in Okeosa, Ilogbo, within the Ifo Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit: assault, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State 2006.
““That you, Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned district, did unlawfully assault one Osimosu Emmanuel Oluwafemi (male) by beating him all over his body, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.
“That you, Badmus Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, on various occasions in the year 2022, at Okeosa, Ilogbo, within the Ifo Magisterial District, did steal some musical equipment, including a Yamaha H55 studio monitor, a complete Studio 2 interface connection cable, and an AKG P420 condenser, thereby committing an offence contrary to Sections 384 and 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2006.”
Chief Magistrate Babajide Ilo ruled that Portable was guilty of assault and resisting arrest, sentencing him to one month in prison with a N10,000 fine option for the first count, and two months with a N20,000 fine option for the second.
Juju music singer, King Sunny Ade, has finally spoken to dispel the swirling rumour that he has been kidnapped.
For several days, social media platforms were abuzz with speculation that the musician had been abducted, leaving his fans both worried and confused.
In response to the frenzy, Sunny Ade took to a video released by his wife, Mrs. Bose Olubo-Adegeye, to dispel the unfounded rumours.
“Nobody kidnapped me,” the renowned singer said with his accustomed calmness.
“I pray, as I don’t want anybody to kidnap me. I believe the whole world is in love with me. This is me, King Sunny Ade.
“I have to thank God and you, my fans, for the concern. I have been doing my shows. I was at a show last Saturday at Lekki, Lagos. I am on my way to have a show, and I am coming back again to play in Lagos, as well,” he said.
Sunny Ade, fondly referred to as KSA, reassured his fans, thanking them for their concern and love.
The musician explained that the confusion surrounding his absence could have been linked to the fact that some of his children hadn’t seen him recently.
“I know my children are in love with me, and they want to see me. I didn’t go anywhere. This is me. I thank the children, too, for their concern as well,” KSA added.
The 78-year-old star, who is known for his vibrant performances and contributions to Nigerian music, expressed his continued passion for music.
“By God’s grace, enjoyment continues. I am still in music. Music is my life; it is my business, and I will continue to do it.”
