Showbiz
I’m Honoured to Join Spotify EQUAL Music Programme—Fave
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigerian rising star, Fave, has expressed her joy at being named as the latest EQUAL Africa ambassador of the month by music streaming giant, Spotify.
Fave is joining the EQUAL programme’s list of fierce African women making waves in music.
The Spotify EQUAL Music Programme is part of an effort to foster gender equality and provide a platform to celebrate influential female artists in Africa.
Fave has continued to gain fame and popularity since the release of her breakthrough hit single, Baby Riddim in September 2021 via emPawa Africa.
The 22-year-old singer is a burgeoning Nigerian Afro R&B singer whose charming music style is attracting the big guns of the entertainment industry, placing her on the same level as other young female artists like Tems and Ayra Starr (another Spotify EQUAL Artist), who are becoming the next generation of female artists in Nigeria, each bringing with them their own style of music.
She is a talented creative who understands the power of social media and who made her way to the spotlight through it. She hit the spotlight after she posted a freestyle of her song, N.B.U (Nobody But You), a blend of upbeat pop and Afro that soared across playlists and social media during the COVID lockdown. The song received shares across social media and became an instant hit prior to its release.
Commenting on her inclusion to the programme, Spotify’s head of music for sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, stated that, “Our aim with the EQUAL Music Programme is to shine a light on remarkable young women in Africa who are finding their feet through music.
“We remain committed to levelling the playing field for female creators by giving emerging and established artists equal opportunities on our platform. Fave exudes character and confidence and we are proud to showcase her.”
In her reaction, Fave said, “It’s easy to come across, or even be directly involved in, a conversation on the subject of female artists and the widely believed stereotype that women cannot give their 100 per cent to music because there are other things that occupy their time, based on societal norms. Like family and kids.”
“Stereotypes like this already influence how people in the industry view women. On a broader scale, you almost get the vibe that people think the success of a female artist can only be short-lived. Of course, defects like this are not general but they do exist.
“Male domination, I believe, is something that can only be filtered away by our outstanding success as women in our fields of excellence and talent. I’m honoured to be part of the EQUAL programme with women who plan to change the world,” she added.
On his part, the co-founder and Head of Label Services at emPawa Africa, Mr Ikenna Nwagboso, said, “We will continue to seek, recognize and amplify the female voices we have in the African music space so that the next generation of female artists can believe and have many influences to look up to.”
With this development, Fave’s breakout track Baby Riddim will be featured on the EQUAL Africa and EQUAL Global playlists.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A Nigerian actress, Temitope Osoba, fondly called Tope Osoba by her fans, has reportedly passed away.
She died barely a year after she survived a battle with breast cancer, reports say.
The 41-year-old entertainer left the acting world to cater to her health, but returned shortly after she had a successful treatment in 2025.
The movie producer, however, has not been very active in the past months, ostensibly due to her health.
Her demise has come as a shock to some of her colleagues and admirers, as she was very lively during her lifetime.
Details about the unfortunate incident, which became known to her fans on Wednesday morning, have not been given by her family.
The first official voting of Big Brother Naija Season 11 is here, and fans have the power to decide who stays in the House and who leaves the competition.
After a week of getting to know the housemates, watching alliances form and seeing personalities emerge, this is where fans move from watching the game to influencing it. If you’ve been thinking about voting, here are five reasons why now is the time.
1. This Is the Season’s First Real Eviction
First evictions are always significant. They set the tone for the weeks ahead, reshape the House and often change the direction of the game. Viewers hold the power to change the trajectory of the game as they influence who continues their BBN journey and who the first set of housemates to leave are.
2. It’s Too Early to Lose Someone You Enjoy Watching
You may not have settled on a favourite housemate yet, and that’s perfectly normal. It’s only the first eviction. But if there’s someone you’ve enjoyed watching over the past week, this is your chance to help keep them in the House. Waiting until you’ve picked a favourite could mean losing a housemate you wish had stayed a little longer.
3. Every Vote Shapes the Competition
Who stays and who leaves affects everything from alliances and rivalries to tasks and strategies. The decisions viewers make this week will have an impact on how the game unfolds in the coming weeks.
4. Online Buzz Doesn’t Keep Housemates in the House
A housemate may trend all week, but that doesn’t automatically translate into safety. At the end of the day, it’s the votes that determine who survives eviction.
5. Don’t Leave It to Someone Else
It’s easy to assume other fans will do the voting, but every vote contributes to the final result. If there’s a housemate you’d like to see remain in the competition, this is your opportunity to back them.
Here’s How to Vote
Voting is available through the MyDStv app and MyGOtv app, as well as the Africa Magic voting website.
To vote:
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Register or log in using your mobile number and password.
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Select your favourite housemate.
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Choose the number of votes you’d like to cast.
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Submit your votes before the voting window closes.
Looking to boost your voting power? You can also earn bonus votes by playing games and completing quizzes on the MyDStv app and MyGOtv app.
The voting window for the first eviction is now open and closes on Thursday at 10:00 p.m. If there’s a housemate you’d like to see in the House for another week, be sure to cast your votes before the deadline.
Catch all the drama live and 24/7 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija season 11 is also available to watch on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. For updates and exclusive news, visit www.africamagic.dstv.com/
After days of anticipation, Flora and Aikou have been confirmed as this season’s Gambits after receiving the highest number of votes from viewers. This was revealed during Sunday’s live show, where host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced the pair as the viewers’ choices.
Introduced as a brand-new twist for Season 11, The Gambit guarantees two selected housemates a place in the House until the final day. Although they will participate in tasks and House activities throughout the season, they will not be eligible to compete for the grand prize.
Sunday’s live show also marked the end of the Ladies-versus-Gentlemen format that defined the opening weeks of the competition. With the teams officially dissolved, the housemates will now compete as individuals.
Biggie also unveiled this week’s wager task, Game On, challenging the housemates to define the identity of Season 11. Through a creative presentation incorporating elements such as a logo, slogan, song, artwork and props, the housemates have been tasked with capturing what they believe this edition of Big Brother Naija should stand for and how they want it to be remembered.
The excitement continues today with the second Head of House Challenge at 2:00 p.m., where housemates will once again battle for power in the House. This will be followed by this week’s nomination show at 7:00 p.m., when viewers will find out who will become the first set of housemates to face possible eviction.
With Flora and Aikou’s fate in the House secured till the last day and the housemates now playing as individuals, the stakes have never been higher as the battle for the grand prize gathers momentum.
Viewers can enjoy the 24/7 BBNaija Season 11 experience on DStv and GOtv, or stream every episode live on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
For more updates, visit Africa Magic’s Big Brother Naija page and follow #BBNaija on X (@bbnaija), Instagram (@bigbronaija) and Facebook (Big Brother Naija).
