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Nigerian-born Ayobola Kekere-Ekun Shines at 2021 Absa L’Atelier

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Ayobola Kekere-Ekun

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Nigerian-born Ayobola Kekere-Ekun has been selected as one of the winners of the prestigious 2021 Absa L’Atelier at an online event hosted on the Absa Art Hotspot.

The artist was among the finalists from Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya and Namibia.

She is among the one ambassador per group chosen from the three groups of African countries. The others are Adelheid von Maltitz from South Africa and Blebo Michael Jackson from Ghana, while the winner Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto category was Abongile Sidzumo.

Absa, in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), hosts the event to celebrate African art.

These winning artists now take on the title of Absa L’Atelier Ambassador 2021 received trophies that depict hands, symbolising the physical manifestation of creation, designed, and produced by established South African artist Roberto Vacarro, while the Gerard Sekoto trophy depicts a bull, representing prosperity and resilience.

Since its inception 35 years ago, Absa L’Atelier has showcased and continues to invest in some of Africa’s finest young artists between the ages of 21 to 40.

This year, the competition established itself as the first African art competition to be hosted completely virtually; from entry, submission and adjudication of the artworks, to hosting a series of masterclasses and a mentorship programme for the 2019 Absa L’Atelier ambassadors, culminating in the online awards ceremony.

Entries were received from across Africa and judged by an independent panel of adjudicators including acclaimed artist and Director at BKhz, Banele Khoza as well as Armelle Dakouo, independent curator and artistic director at AKAA Art & Design Fair.

Criteria for selecting the Ambassador included technical execution, conceptual and thematic engagement, the freshness of artistic vision within the context of the contemporary African art landscape; as well as aesthetic appeal.

Established 17 years ago, the Gerard Sekoto award goes to a South African artist, aged between 25 and 35 years, who has continued to demonstrate integrity in the quality of their artwork.

The award is made possible by the Embassy of France in South Africa, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), which is the cultural arm of the Embassy, and the Alliance Française network in South Africa.

“With our partners Absa and SANAVA, we are proud to support the Gerard Sekoto award and to accompany young artists to share their work both nationally and internationally.

“We believe in this award which grants a talented young South African artist an amazing opportunity: to expand his or her horizons with a 3-month artistic residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, and, of course, gain greater exposure as a result.

“The artists are inspired and inspire. They learn, and they teach. They explore, and exhibit, allowing people in France and in South Africa to learn more about their individual style and vision”, says Aurelien Lechevallier, who is France’s Ambassador to South Africa.

Though COVID-19 provided its challenges, the past two years were likewise a period of innovation and technological progression.

“The pandemic has allowed us to advance our digital art presence with the launch of the Absa Art Hotspot. This unique virtual experience platform made it possible for us to host live events such as webinars, art exhibitions, art masterclasses, and art auctions, while certain elements of our art-related sponsorships and partnerships such as this year’s awards event were also migrated to the platform,” says Paul Bayliss Senior Specialist Art Curator at Absa.

Hosting the competition digitally allowed for the removal of any barriers to entry as all the artist required was a smart phone or access to the internet.

“With this year’s theme The Act of Art, we called our continent’s fearless creators to act and to enter. This years’ competition once again provided an opportunity for visual artists to respond and make their voices heard.

“We are committed to putting the basic building blocks in place to ensure that young artists from across the African continent can reimagine their futures and bring their possibility to life,” says Bayliss.

SANAVA President, Dr Avitha Sooful, commended her partner, Absa, for forging ahead and continuously seeking ways to impact the African visual arts scene even during the ongoing pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic derailed our plans for 2020 but through some innovative thinking, we were able to come back stronger this year and we actually have more entries than we have ever had for this competition. I commend the work that our partners, Absa, have done in making sure that African artists continue to reap the rewards of their hard work,” Dr Sooful said.

“We look forward to working with this year’s ambassadors and Gerard Sekoto winner and providing the next generation of young African artists with the support, recognition, and exposure they need to solidify their careers and build their brands,” concluded Bayliss.

Aduragbemi Omiyale is a journalist with Business Post Nigeria, who has passion for news writing. In her leisure time, she loves to read.

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Your After‑Work Escape: GOtv Shows You Can’t Miss

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After‑Work Escape GOtv Shows

After a long day of work, traffic, deadlines, and back-to-back responsibilities, the last thing most people want is more stress. They just want something that helps them relax. Something familiar that helps their mind slow down. For many households, that small moment of calm begins with the TV.

It is the background comfort while dinner is being made, the show you ease into from the couch, or the story that gently pulls you away from the stress of the day. And with GOtv’s mix of drama, family favourites, and everyday storytelling, finding something to match your evening mood is easier than ever.

Whether you want light entertainment or an engaging drama to sink into, these shows make the perfect after-work escape.

Sister Sister – 6:30 PM | ROK 2

Sister Sister follows the intertwined lives of identical twins Nelly and Nora,  two women born of the same blood but shaped by very different experiences. As they navigate Lagos, love, ambition and family expectations, the sisters find that even the closest bonds can be pushed to the brink when secrets, choices, and personal dreams collide.

This isn’t just another family drama. It is a story about identity, loyalty, and the unspoken ties that bind us. With every episode, you’ll find yourself drawn deeper into their world, laughing, feeling their losses, and wondering how far the family can stretch before it  breaks.

Battleground – 5:00 PM | Africa Magic Family

At the heart of Battleground is Chief Kolade Badmus, a man of influence whose drive for success leaves his family entangled in rivalry, secrets and betrayal.

Kolade’s elegant but sharp‑witted wife, Adaora, tries to hold the family together while his second wife, Cissy, navigates her own place in the home. Their children,  from Mayowa to Teni and Ayo, each carry ambitions and wounds that fuel personal battles and fierce emotional stakes.

Battleground tells a powerful story where loyalty is tested, love is complicated, and every family dinner could uncover another buried truth. With strong performances from veterans like Joke Silva and Shaffy Bello and a narrative that feels as intense as real life, this series is the kind of drama that makes you want to close work early and beat the traffic just so you don’t miss it.

Gifted – 8:00 PM | ROK 2

When young Ebele’s parents die suddenly, she’s thrust into a world of hardship, living under the care of an uncaring uncle and his cruel wife. But in the midst of grief and struggle, something extraordinary begins to stir within her.

Gifted is the story of the transformation of a girl who discovers a remarkable ability that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself. As Ebele’s gift begins to unfold, so does a journey of self‑discovery, resilience and unexpected purpose.

This is not a heavy drama. It is emotional, inspiring, and deeply human. Gifted offers a narrative that reassures, uplifts and reminds you that strength often arrives from the most unlikely places.

The Split – 8:30 PM (Thursdays & Fridays) | Africa Magic Showcase

In a busy banking world, three ordinary professionals, Abdul, Harriet and Tola, face pressure that few of us can imagine. A dormant bank account surfaces, tempting them with the promise of the life they’ve always wanted. But what starts as a risky opportunity slowly evolves into moral conflict, betrayal, and decisions that blur the lines between right and wrong.

The strength of The Split lies in its characters, people you quickly grow to care about, fear for, and judge with every choice they make. It’s a slow-burning drama that pulls you in and keeps you daydreaming, counting the days and hours until the next episode.

These shows are more than just TV content,  they are stories with heart, tension, depth and character that make your evenings feel richer. Whether you want laughter and empathy, deep family drama, emotional transformation, or edge‑of‑your‑seat twists, there’s a perfect unwind waiting for you.

Right now, subscribers can enjoy all these and even more value with the We Got You offer, available until 28th February 2026. When you pay for your current package, you’re automatically upgraded to the next package at no extra cost,  giving you access to more channels, more shows, and even more ways to unwind.

To subscribe, upgrade, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. You can also stream your favourites anytime with the GOtv Stream App.

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Facebook Convenes 1,000 Innovators, Others for 2026 African Creators Summit

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Facebook 2026 African Creators Summit

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Over 1,000 creators, storytellers, innovators, and digital entrepreneurs from across Africa were brought together in Lagos recently for the 2026 African Creators Summit organised by Facebook.

The event was put together by the social networking platform to brainstorm on how to share the future of the continent’s creative economy.

It was also to empower participants with tools and resources to reach wider audiences, build meaningful communities, and earn sustainably from their content.

It was the second consecutive year Facebook is delivering a dynamic creator experience that reinforced its ongoing commitment to Africa’s growing creative economy.

As the platform with the largest network of people who can reach a massive audience, Facebook has always been about connection and continues to empower creators to connect more deeply with actual people and earn real money across all the content formats they share.

Some of the notable creators at the summit were Abiri Tobi Festus (Folagade Banks), Ify’s Kitchen, Nons Miraj, Nancy Umeh, Lolo Mbakara, Broda Shaggi, Gilmooree, Jenni Frank, Cute Abiola, One Khan, and King – Ana, among others.

Commenting on the initiative, the Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, Oluwasola Obagbemi, said, “Our presence at the African Creators Summit was about meeting creators where they are, creating meaningful moments of connection, and demonstrating how Facebook empowers creators to succeed.

“Seeing creators engage, share their stories, and create content live at the booth highlights how powerful these spaces are in strengthening Africa’s creator community.

“Creators who haven’t fully explored Facebook are missing out on real opportunities. Over the past few years, we’ve introduced features that support monetisation, audience growth and discovery, and community building, and we’re doubling down on making it even easier for creators who share original and engaging content to succeed.”

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Connections Tested as Heartbeat Heats Up in Episode 3

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Heartbeat Watch This Weekend on DStv

Episode 3 of Heartbeat picked up right where the drama left off, and this time, emotions ran even higher as new games, unexpected pairings, and bold choices changed the energy in the Love Pad.

After winning the kissing challenge, Igwe claimed the Love Nest key and chose Toria for a private night together. While the pair shared a cosy evening, the morning after came with mixed feelings. Toria admitted she felt uncomfortable being so exposed on camera and began questioning their connection, while Igwe seemed ready to move on, saying the spark just wasn’t there anymore. Just like that, what looked promising quickly cooled off.

But the house didn’t stay quiet for long. The singles were thrown into the Love Dip game, where everyone picked numbers, and anyone who matched automatically became partners for the night. The random twist led to surprising combinations across the house, forcing some singles to step outside their comfort zones.

Still, not everyone stuck to the rules. Despite being paired with other people, Ken and Latifah couldn’t resist each other. The two quietly slipped away from their assigned partners and ended up cuddling on the couch, proving their connection might be stronger than they’d like to admit.

Elsewhere, different emotions were brewing. Alvin’s calm and unreadable personality left Shekinah confused about where they stood, while Chidera and Kenna grew even closer, deciding to focus solely on each other rather than risk outside distractions. Their decision to “lock in” made them one of the most stable pairs in the house.

Then came a playful but revealing poolside card game, where singles had to complete daring or flirty tasks. From seductive dances to bold moves meant to send messages, the challenge stirred jealousy, laughter, and side-eyes across the group. Feelings were tested in real time, and it became obvious that everyone was still very much exploring their options.

But the biggest moment of the night was the official Heartbeat Game.

In this challenge, each male sat in the “hot seat” while the women had one minute each to impress him using props from a mystery box,  from scarves to feathers and other playful items. The goal was simple: charm, tease, and create a spark. After every round, the men secretly scored each woman over ten.

The woman with the highest total score would win the ultimate prize,  the Love Nest key and the power to choose who she’d spend the night with. One by one, the scores rolled in, and confidence filled the room as the women gave it their all.

When the final results were counted, Latifah came out on top, earning the highest ratings and securing the key. With all the power now in her hands, she had a major decision to make: return to Ken, the connection everyone already knew about, Henri, her new paired partner or Igwe, to explore someone new.

In true Heartbeat fashion, she chose unpredictability. Latifah made a bold decision about who she would take into the Love Nest, leaving Ken visibly stunned and the rest of the house buzzing. But who did she actually pick? Tune in next week to find out.

If Episode 3 proved anything, it’s that comfort zones don’t last long in Heartbeat, and one bold choice can change everything.

Catch Heartbeat every Sunday at 9 pm on Africa Magic Showcase, GOtv Channel 8.

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.

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