Entertainment
Culinary Art in Focus on Glo-sponsored African Voices Playmakers
This week, Cable News Network (CNN) top rated show, African Voices Playmakers, sponsored by digital services company Globacom, will explore the unique journey of success of two foremost chefs from Republic of Benin and Mauritius. The chefs are Georgiana Viou from Benin Republic and Ayushi “Chef Yu” Gooroochurn from Mauritius.
46-year-old Georgiana Viou, a mother of three, comes from a multi ethnic childhood in Benin. Earlier, Viou emigrated from the Republic of Benin to Paris, France, with the aim of becoming an interpreter, by a stroke of luck, however, she found herself working in the culinary arena.
Everything started with the culinary prize; “Le Taittinger des Cordons Bleus” in 2009. Shortly after that she landed by chance in the first edition of Masterchef France in 2010 in which she was a finalist. This was followed by a passage in Paris at Sarah and Sylvain Sendra’s Michelin Star restaurant, and at Hissa Takeushi.
By 2023 her skills had attracted so much attention that Michelin Guide, the bible of gastronomy, awarded her a star for her cuisine at “Rouge,” a restaurant in the southwestern French city of Nimes. The Michelin star was bestowed on her in recognition of her “singular cuisine … celebrating her Mediterranean environment and Benin roots.”
Ayushi Gooroochurn on the other hand is the Executive Chef at the Constance Belle Mare Plage Hotel in Mauritius. For the 34-year-old cooking comes naturally. As a result of her dexterity, Ayushi, popularly called Chef Yu, and her team have been awarded certificates of appreciation for their masterpiece culinary presentations.
African Voices Playmakers will be aired on Saturday at 8.30 a.m. Repeats will air the same day at 2.00 p.m. and on Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.00 p.m. and Monday at 4.00 a.m. The same edition will be repeated on Saturday, next week at 8.30 a.m., 12 noon, on Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.00 p.m. and on Monday at 4.00 a.m.
Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has said she is no longer interested in getting married again following her separation from her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, but remains determined to have a daughter.
The actress made the remarks during a livestream session with TikToker Jarvis at her Children’s Day carnival held in Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking on her current outlook on relationships and motherhood, Daniels said she has mentally moved away from the idea of marriage.
“But for some reason, I’ve checked my mind out of getting married. I’m yet to have a girl. And I must have a girl,” she said.
The mother of two explained that her desire for a daughter comes from what she described as the unique emotional bond between mothers and female children.
“I feel like motherhood starts better. Like you would understand motherhood when you have a girl child,” she said.
“So, having boys is easy because at least you can groom them to have a role model in a father figure. But for your girl child, you have to be that role model for them to emulate.”
Daniels also revealed that she initially never wanted a daughter before becoming a mother.
“Before I had my first son, I said no, never. I will never have a girl child. Never, ever. But after my first, after my second, I remember, for some reason, it’s female kids that remember,” she added.
Reflecting further on family dynamics, the actress said women tend to maintain stronger emotional ties to their homes than men.
“Men will grow, get married and focus more on building family. But for women, she will always remember home,” she said.
Daniels married Nwoko in 2019, a union that drew widespread attention because of their age difference. The couple share two sons.
Their relationship later became publicly strained in 2025 following allegations by Nwoko that the actress was battling substance abuse and required rehabilitation.
Daniels denied the claims and accused the senator of manipulation, psychological control and abuse before eventually leaving the marriage and moving into her own residence.
Organisers of Big Brother Naija have announced the opening of auditions for the show’s 11th season, unveiling registration details and requirements for prospective housemates.
In a statement on Saturday, the organisers said, “It’s time! #BBNaija Season 11 auditions registration is here,” noting that registration will run from May 16 to 20 for candidates seeking to qualify for the physical audition stage.
They explained that applicants must register via africamagic.tv/bigbrother, fill in personal details, and select preferred audition dates, locations and times, with physical auditions scheduled to hold between May 22 and 24 in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.
According to the organisers, “AUDITION IS FREE”, and only persons aged 21 and above with valid identification documents are eligible to participate. They also warned that the registration portal will close once capacity is reached.
The statement further cautioned applicants on data usage and participation rules, noting that by submitting entries, participants grant the organisers permission to use audition materials in perpetuity and across global platforms. It also warned that multiple registrations could lead to disqualification.
The announcement comes months after the conclusion of Season 10, which returned to screens on July 26, 2025, featuring 29 housemates competing for a N150 million grand prize.
Imisi Ayanwale emerged as the winner of the season after securing 42.8 per cent of the total votes, ahead of finalists including Dede, Koyin, Sultana, Kola, Jason Jae, Mensan, Isabella and Kaybobo.
Past winners of the reality show include Mercy Eke, Laycon, Whitemoney, Kellyrae, Phyna and Ilebaye, with anticipation now building for Season 11 as viewers await possible new twists and format changes.
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Genevieve Nnaji, is making her return to television in “Wahala”, a new six-part drama produced by BBC Studios.
The series is based on the novel “Wahala” by Nikki May and will air on BBC One, with episodes also available on BBC iPlayer.
It is adapted for television by BAFTA-nominated writer, Theresa Ikoko.
BBC confirmed the cast on Tuesday, announcing a female-led ensemble that includes Adelayo Adedayo, Deborah Ayorinde, Cush Jumbo, and Susan Wokoma, alongside Nnaji.
Set in London, Wahala follows four Nigerian-British women whose close friendship is tested as they navigate work, relationships, and family life. Their lives begin to shift when hidden secrets from the past resurface, bringing betrayal and tension to the surface.
Speaking about the project, Nnaji said: “I’m very happy to be joining Wahala and to be working with such a brilliant team. It’s an intriguing story, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
