Showbiz
Africa Gears Up for a Weekend of Glamour, Culture, and Storytelling at the 11th AMVCAs
The countdown is on as the continent turns its eyes to Lagos for the grand finale of Africa’s biggest celebration of film and television, the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), taking place this Saturday, 10 May 2025.
Organised by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice, the AMVCAs have grown to become the continent’s most prestigious platform for recognising excellence in African film, television, and digital content. This year’s event is a four-day cultural and industry showcase that began on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, and continues to build momentum toward the main awards night.
The festivities kicked off with Icons Night, a stylish tribute to industry legends whose contributions have shaped Africa’s creative landscape. On Thursday, Young Filmmakers Day puts the spotlight on the next generation of storytellers with an exclusive AMVCA Masterclass on “Sound in Filmmaking,” led by acclaimed sound engineer and producer Shawn Butler.
Today, Friday, 9 May, all roads lead to the highly anticipated Cultural Night, a vibrant celebration of African fashion, food, music, and artistic expression. It’s a stunning showcase of the continent’s heritage and a proud nod to the cultural identity at the heart of African storytelling. Guests can look forward to a live performance by Segun Johnson, known for his high-energy live band sets, as well as appearances from notable personalities.
The festivities come to a grand close on Saturday, 10 May, with the main awards ceremony, a star-studded night of red carpet glam, electrifying performances, and the announcement of winners across 27 award categories, including Best Movie, Best Actor and Actress, Best Director, and more. The ceremony will be hosted by the ever-charismatic IK Osakioduwa, with musical performances from Johnny Drille, Fido, Kumie, and a special dance act by The Dreamcatchers.
Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice, shares her excitement:
“This year, we’re celebrating not just creative excellence, but the cultural richness and resilience of the African film and television industry. From the fashion to the music and the stories themselves, the AMVCAs are a powerful reflection of our identity and our evolution as storytellers.”
The red carpet begins at 4:00 PM WAT, followed by the main show at 7:00 PM WAT, and will air live on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, Pearl Magic, Mzansi Magic, and Akwaaba Magic.
Audiences across Africa and the diaspora are invited to tune in and join the celebration using #AMVCA11 on social media.
The 11th AMVCAs is proudly supported by headline sponsor Amstel Malta, tactical sponsor Onga, and partners including Martell, MTN, Nivea, Indomie, Lush Hair, Verve, Quickteller, Goldberg, Arla, and Desperados.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Popular musician, Mrs Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, otherwise known as Saint Janet, has died.
The singer, known for her explicit lyrics, was said to have died in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, 2026, after a brief illness.
Her demise has thrown some of her admirers into shock. Some of her fans and colleagues have started to send their condolences.
The Highlife musician, who is also fondly called Mama Yabis, rose to fame after her controversial Faaji Plus featured lewd lyrics and was banned multiple times by regulatory bodies like PMAN and the Lagos State House of Assembly.
However, this did not stop her from performing at private events, as she was loved by some who were moved by her guts and electrifying live performances, energetic stage presence, and unique style of engaging audiences through satire, humour, and socially unfiltered commentaries.
The battle of the sexes continued in Big Brother Naija Season 11 as the gentlemen claimed victory in this week’s wager task presentation, while the ladies fell short in a debate centred on the age-old question: Nature or Nurture?
From the start of the season, Biggie split the House into two teams, with the ladies and gentlemen to compete against each other in key challenges, including wager task presentations and arena games. For this week’s wager, the teams were assigned opposing sides in a Nature versus Nurture debate, with the gentlemen arguing that inherited traits have the greatest influence on who people become, while the ladies defended the idea that people are largely shaped by their upbringing, environment and life experiences.
After both teams presented their arguments, Biggie declared the gentlemen the winners of the wager. While announcing the result, he admitted that neither team delivered an outstanding performance, noting that the House is still in its “honeymoon phase” and that he was selecting a winner based on the stronger overall presentation.
Despite his reservations, Biggie singled out Nomy, Neche, Chimsom Chuka, Cassi and Gerard for their standout contributions, praising their confidence, delivery and commitment during the task.
With one team victory secured, the rivalry between the ladies and the gentlemen continues to heat up, and the competition is only getting tougher.
But that’s not the only thing viewers have to look forward to this weekend. All eyes are now on the Saturday night party and Sunday’s live show, where the mystery surrounding The Gambit will finally be revealed. Tune in from 7:00 p.m on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 and GOtv channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 and GOtv channel 7) to find out who The Gambit is and what it could mean for the game as the twists in Big Brother Naija Season 11 continue to unfold.
Keep up with all the drama, twists and surprises on DStv and GOtv, or stream the show live on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
School is out, and for many parents, the summer break comes with one familiar request: “Can I watch TV?” While screen time can be a great way for kids to relax and enjoy their holidays, many parents also worry about finding shows that do more than just keep their children busy.
The good news is that TV time does not have to mean endless hours of random entertainment. Summer break is the perfect opportunity to introduce kids to shows that fuel their imagination, encourage teamwork, inspire creativity, and teach valuable lessons while they enjoy exciting stories.
From a construction pup leading a team of builders to a young superhero squad protecting their city, this summer’s lineup is filled with adventures that will keep children entertained while giving parents peace of mind about what they are watching. Here are five shows worth adding to your kids’ summer watchlist.
Rubble & Crew (Nick Jr.)
Everyone knows Rubble as the construction-loving bulldog from PAW Patrol, but in Rubble & Crew, he takes centre stage. Alongside his family members, including Wheeler, Mix, Charger, Motor, and Auntie Crane, Rubble forms a construction crew in the growing town of Builder Cove. Together, they build everything from bridges and playgrounds to schools and community spaces, showing children how teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving can turn big ideas into reality. New episodes air every weekday, with a special weekend lineup on Nick Jr, GOtv Ch 81.
The Patrick Star Show (Nickelodeon)
Patrick Star is known for being SpongeBob SquarePants’ lovable and hilariously clueless best friend, but this time, he’s the star of his own show. Living with his quirky family, including his parents Bunny and Cecil, his adopted sister Squidina, and his eccentric Grandpa Tentacles, Patrick hosts an unpredictable variety show straight from his bedroom. Every episode is packed with outrageous adventures, wild imagination, and the kind of silly humour that keeps kids laughing from beginning to end. Catch new episodes daily, with weekend highlights on Nickelodeon, GOtv Ch 87.
Best & Bester (Nicktoons)
Best and Bester are twin siblings with one incredible ability, they can transform into almost anything they can imagine. Whether they’re becoming superheroes, animals, or everyday objects, the duo use their shape-shifting powers to tackle challenges around their neighbourhood while learning about friendship, confidence, and embracing what makes each person unique. Their colourful adventures are full of creativity and surprises, making every episode feel fresh and exciting. New episodes air every day, with reruns over the Weekends on Nicktoons, GOtv Ch 86.
Big City Greens (Disney Channel)
When Cricket Green moves from the countryside to the bustling city with his dad Bill, older sister Tilly, and Gramma Alice, everyday life becomes one big adventure. Cricket’s curiosity and fearless personality often land the family in funny situations, while Tilly’s imaginative outlook and Bill’s determination to keep everyone together create plenty of heartwarming moments. Big City Greens blends humour with family values, making it just as enjoyable for parents as it is for kids. New episodes air daily on Disney Channel, GOtv Ch 92, with reruns over the weekend.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends (Disney Junior)
Peter Parker may be young, but when he teams up with Gwen Stacy (Ghost-Spider) and Miles Morales (Spin), they become an unstoppable superhero trio. Together, they protect their community from familiar Marvel villains like Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Rhino, and Electro, proving that courage, kindness, and teamwork are every hero’s greatest superpowers. Filled with exciting action and positive lessons, Spidey and His Amazing Friends is a favourite for young Marvel fans. New episodes air every day on Disney Junior, GOtv Ch 82, with weekend reruns for anyone who misses an episode.
With fresh episodes airing every day and reruns over the weekend, these shows offer something for every young viewer this summer. Whether your child loves superheroes, imaginative adventures, laugh-out-loud comedy, or stories about family and friendship, there’s always something worth tuning in for.
To upgrade, subscribe or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
