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.
Members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry turned out in large numbers on Wednesday for the service of songs of late actor Alex Ekubo.
Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, after a battle with kidney cancer.
Colleagues, friends, and dignitaries filled The Monarch Event Centre for the ceremony, dressed strictly in white as requested by the Ekubo family.
Attendees included Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Akpotha, Ebele Okaro, Nancy Isime, Ruth Kadiri, Nkechi Blessing, Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi, Ik Ogbonna, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, singer Chike, and socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
The evening featured worship led by gospel ministers Peterson Okopi and Ebuka Songs, with Pastor Jerry Eze, Nathaniel Bassey, and Kaestrings also ministering.
The Ekubo family had earlier released an obituary on the late actor’s Instagram page, asking the public to keep them in prayer.
Wednesday’s service of songs officially opened Alex Ekubo’s burial rites.
The funeral moves to Arochukwu, Abia State, for a wake-keep on June 17, with burial scheduled for June 18.
Tamunosoye Karibi-George has been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging winner at the pageant’s grand finale held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The 26-year-old beauty queen, who represented Bayelsa State and hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, beat 19 other contestants in the competition themed “Pride, Power and Purpose.”
She succeeds Joy Mojisola Raimi, Miss World Nigeria 2025, and will represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival scheduled to hold in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026.
Miss Karibi-George is the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative that supports children with special needs and promotes inclusion and equal opportunities.
Joining Karibi-George in the top five were Dionne Chisom Nwagbo of Anambra State, who finished as first runner-up; Shuntell Ezomo of Edo State, who emerged second runner-up; Irene Irene of Abuja; and Gold of Rivers State.
Miss World Nigeria, organized by the Silverbird Group, is one of Nigeria’s leading beauty pageants and selects the country’s representative for the international Miss World competition.
Award-winning artiste – Davido – is scheduled to perform at FIFA’s World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, adding another major global platform to his career.
Davido will perform alongside Major Lazer, the music project led by producer Diplo.
FIFA announced the lineup on Instagram, noting that more special guests will be unveiled in the coming days.
The concert is part of FIFA’s first synchronised live entertainment series across the tournament’s three host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Featuring Diplo’s Major Lazer and Davido, and more special guests to be announced soon,” FIFA wrote.
The Los Angeles show will open doors at 5:00pm PT, with the live broadcast beginning at 6:00pm PT.
The series is designed to link audiences across the host countries, with simultaneous live performances streamed from Mexico City and Toronto.
FIFA said the event will stream globally across its digital platforms, including an exclusive livestream on TikTok.
Full concert and behind-the-scenes footage will be available on VuMe Live the following day.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11, 2026.
