Entertainment
Africa Magic @20: MultiChoice Nigeria Rolls Out New Exciting Contents for Viewers’ Pleasure
In keeping to its promise of providing wholesome and mouthwatering programmes for its teeming viewers, Africa Magic, the home of movie entertainment, has unveiled a bumper chain of indigenous and international content for customers across DStv and GOtv channels for the new calendar year.
The exciting catalogue of content includes news, music, sports, reality TV shows, documentaries, drama series, movies, and children’s programmes, which were unveiled at the company’s Victoria Island office during a Content Discovery event.
Speaking at the well attended event held on Thursday, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola, said customers should expect a new and diverse set of captivating and relatable indigenous stories across Africa Magic channels.
“It’s been 20 years of Africa Magic and Nollywood growing together, building global careers and talents. In 2003, we began the journey of telling authentic Nigerian stories on Africa Magic to build a platform where everyday Nigerians see themselves in relatable stories reflecting our culture. In 2023, we are celebrating 20 years of creating and telling Nigerian stories.
“This year, we intend to break more boundaries and find new frontiers in local storytelling. We look forward to ensuring Africa Magic remains at the forefront of Nigeria storytelling. We are adding 28 more series titles and 20 original Africa Magic movies for our customers, starting from April 2023. This year, we are also investing more in our indigenous productions across our language channels: Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo,” she said.
Touching on the investment by MultiChoice in growing content on its platform, Tejumola stated that Africa Magic launched with a single channel in Nigeria and has since expanded to a cluster of seven channels
“From April 2022 to March 2023, we had over 2,500 hours of production and licensed 10,000 hours of authentic Nigerian stories.We have stories in English, and indigenous languages, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo, broadcast to over 42 African countries,” she added
Highlighting some of the new content customers can look out for, Head of Production, West Africa, MultiChoice Nigeria, Victor Aghahowa, said the new roll call of content includes, The Residence, Ripples; Igbo drama series, Ugwu and Iwe; Yoruba series, Apo (The Bag), among others.
He disclosed that Africa Magic will now premiere new 130 episode series every six months as opposed to 260 episode series every year. The list of new programmes also include brand new unscripted game show, ‘Mind and Body’, and new drama series, Simbirella.
Customers will also continue to enjoy local and international sport entertainment contents across SuperSport channels, including EPL, FA Cup, CAF Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Champions League matches and WWE specials.
Renowned Nigerian musician and live-band leader, Akinloye Tofowomo, popularly known as Akin Shuga, is dead.
The celebrated performer and founder of Shuga Band died on October 30, 2025, in New Brunswick, Canada, at the age of 50.
His family, in a statement on Monday, described him as a “revered music icon, grandmaster, and custodian of rhythm, culture, and the spirit of performance.”
The statement added, “Akinloye Tofowomo was more than a musician; he was a custodian of rhythm, culture, and the spirit of performance.
“Across more than three decades of excellence — on stage and in mentorship — he redefined what it meant to lead a band with grace, mastery, and purpose. To countless admirers at home and abroad, he was both an inspiration and an institution: a true king in his art.
“As the family comes to terms with this immeasurable loss, we humbly request privacy and quiet reflection at this deeply difficult time. We wish for the space to find closure and to honour his life in the intimacy of loved ones and cherished memories.
“Further details, including dates and arrangements for memorial observances, will be communicated in due course.
“We extend heartfelt appreciation to all who have reached out with prayers, tributes, and kind words. Akinloye Tofowomo’s legacy, through the Shuga Band and Shuga Entertainment, will continue to live on.”
Born on January 6, 1975, in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Akiin Shuga’s life was defined by resilience, passion, and purpose.
Stricken by polio at the age of five, he defied physical challenges to become one of Nigeria’s most accomplished live-band performers and music entrepreneurs. His story mirrored Nigeria’s own revival of live music as an essential part of its cultural identity.
In 1998, he founded the Shuga Band, which began performing at Pintos in Ikeja, Lagos. Over the years, the band grew into a 14-member ensemble known for its electrifying performances at weddings, corporate events, and state functions.
His company, Shuga Entertainment, became a model for professionalism and excellence in live performance, combining artistry with discipline.
Akiin Shuga also served as the founder and president of the Association of Music Band Owners of Nigeria, where he worked to elevate standards within the live-music industry and promote fair treatment for musicians.
Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, has unveiled his list of favorite Afrobeats songs and albums, spotlighting the classics that propelled the genre from local streets to international acclaim.
In a RollingStone Africa interview, the producer paid homage to the Mo’ Hits era he co-built with D’Banj, while crediting pioneers who shaped the sound.
His top songs include 2Baba’s African Queen, which he said opened global doors for Afrobeats and Wizkid’s Ojuelegba for its authentic storytelling.
D’Banj’s Fall in Love earned praise as a continental anthem from Mo’ Hits, while 9ice’s Gongo Aso was lauded for blending Yoruba tradition with pop.
Davido’s Aye rounded out the list for its Highlife-infused energy.
For albums, Don Jazzy singled out Wande Coal’s Mushin 2 Mo’Hits, which he produced as a timeless masterpiece.
He also named 2Baba’s Grass 2 Grace, Wizkid’s Superstar, D’Banj’s The Entertainer, and Aṣa’s self-titled debut as foundational works that influenced today’s stars.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned an alleged order by a Magistrate Court in Kano State reportedly directing two social media content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, to marry each other within 60 days.
The court directive reportedly followed a case against the duo over the circulation of a video deemed “indecent” by state authorities.
The content, which went viral on TikTok and other platforms, featured affectionate scenes between the two influencers.
The Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board claimed the video violated public morality and religious codes governing conduct in the state.
Magistrate Halima Wali reportedly handed down the marriage directive on Monday after arraigning the pair on charges relating to the production and distribution of obscene content online.
Reacting to the development, NBA President Afam Osigwe described the court order as a “grave misunderstanding of the limits of judicial authority under the Nigerian Constitution and constitutes an affront to the fundamental rights of the individuals concerned.”
Osigwe noted that no court has the power to compel any person to marry another person or two persons to mandatorily marry, adding: “It is indeed unconstitutional and therefore unlawful for any court to purport to have power to make such an order.”
He added that such an order would constitute a violation of several fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Marriage, by its very nature, is a voluntary union between consenting adults. It cannot, under any circumstance, be imposed as a form of punishment, moral correction, or judicial remedy.
“No court in Nigeria possesses the constitutional authority to compel two persons to marry, and any attempt to do so violates the rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, and privacy as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
The alleged order, according to the NBA president, is an example of judicial overreach that not only infringes on personal freedoms but also could undermine public trust in the legal system.
“The courts must remain the bastion of justice and protectors of constitutional rights, not instruments for enforcing social conformity or moral compulsion,” Osigwe added.
The NBA then called for an immediate review of this decision by Magistrate Halima Wali and urged the relevant judicial authorities to take steps to prevent a recurrence of such unconstitutional orders.
It also directed the NBA Citizens’ Liberties Committee and Women’s Forum to monitor the situation to ensure that the rule of law prevails.
