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Then Versus Now: How AMVCA Has Evolved Over the Years

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AMVCA 12 Nominee List

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards have long stood as one of the most prestigious platforms celebrating excellence in African film and television.

From its earliest editions, it has consistently brought together the continent’s brightest talents, setting a strong standard for recognition, storytelling, glamour, and cultural pride.

Today, that foundation has only continued to expand and strengthen.

The AMVCA has grown into an even more expansive and dynamic platform, bigger in scale, richer in competition, and more diverse in expression while continuing to provide a stage where established icons and emerging voices are celebrated side by side.

Then: A Strong Foundation of Excellence and Recognition

In its early years, the AMVCA reflected the structure and growth of Nollywood and African storytelling at the time, an industry already rich in talent, creativity, and established stars.

Winning an AMVCA was always a mark of excellence, a recognition of outstanding work within a highly respected ecosystem of filmmakers, actors, and creatives.

Categories were structured around key pillars of storytelling, and while the industry has continued to expand over the years, the awards have consistently celebrated excellence across both on-screen and behind-the-scenes contributions.

From the beginning, recognition has always leaned toward quality performances, strong narratives, and industry-defining work. The excitement was never limited; it was rooted in celebrating the best of African cinema.

The Shift: Expansion, Structure, and Industry Depth

As African film and television continued to evolve, the AMVCA naturally expanded in scope to reflect the growing depth of storytelling across the continent.

In recent editions, the awards featured over 30 categories, split between jury-selected and audience-voted awards,  reinforcing a balanced structure that reflects both critical excellence and audience engagement.

What this evolution truly highlights is how deeply layered African storytelling has become.

Cinematography, editing, sound design, costume, and production design have all become highly competitive and widely celebrated categories, sitting alongside acting and directing as essential parts of the storytelling process.

Films like Over the Bridge, Mami Wata, Breath of Life, Brotherhood, and Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) have not only been recognised but have stood out for their artistic ambition, technical excellence, and contribution to the growth of African cinema.

At this level, the AMVCA continues to do what it has always done best: recognising and rewarding craft in all its dimensions.

Now: A Platform Reflecting a Growing and Diverse Industry

In recent editions, the AMVCA has further strengthened its role as a platform that reflects the full spectrum of African entertainment.

One of the clearest developments is the continued spotlight on emerging talent through dedicated recognition categories such as the Trailblazer Award, which highlights rising stars making a notable impact in the industry.

Categories like Best Digital Content Creator also reflect how storytelling has expanded across platforms, embracing the evolution of content creation in today’s digital era.

Across recent editions, younger actors and filmmakers continue to share the stage with industry veterans, reflecting the depth and continuity of talent within the African entertainment space.

At the 2025 edition, for instance, talents such as Genoveva Umeh and Chimezie Imo stood alongside established industry figures, while the Trailblazer Award continued its tradition of recognising emerging excellence. Digital creators were also acknowledged, reinforcing the AMVCA’s alignment with the evolving media landscape.

Even in 2023, names like Tobi Bakre and Broda Shaggi reflected the dynamic nature of modern African entertainment, where film, television, and digital culture intersect seamlessly.

Across all these moments, the AMVCA remains consistent in its purpose: celebrating excellence in all its forms while reflecting the continuous growth of African storytelling.

The Experience of Watching: A Journey Through Time

Reading AMVCA history feels like moving through the evolution of African cinema itself.

Earlier editions reflect the strong foundations of structured storytelling and established excellence. Middle years highlight expansion in scale, ambition, and creative depth. Recent editions reflect a more global, refined, and experimental expression of African film and television.

Across this journey, one thing remains consistent: excellence has always been the standard.

The experience moves from familiar faces to exciting new recognitions, from predictable narratives of success to more layered and competitive storytelling moments, and from national recognition to wider continental and global relevance.

Today, the AMVCA stands not as a shift in purpose, but as a continuous reflection of a growing industry, one that has always celebrated the best of African creativity and continues to do so at an even greater scale.

If the early AMVCAs celebrated stars, the current editions continue to celebrate legacies in motion.

And perhaps that is the real story, not a change in direction, but a steady expansion of excellence, recognition, and impact across African cinema.

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SuperSport Wakes Up the Continent with ‘The Morning Cup’ – A FIFA World Cup Daily Breakfast Show Like No Other

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FIFA World Cup Daily Breakfast Show

Nigerian comedy heavyweight Basketmouth and South African broadcast royalty Phat Joe lead a pan-African cast in a new morning show blending football, culture, lifestyle and entertainment.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the globe, SuperSport will launch The Morning Cup, a live daily breakfast show designed to redefine how fans start their World Cup mornings.

Premiering on Wednesday, 10 June, the show brings together football, music, entertainment and conversation in a fast-paced, pan-African studio format.

Anchored by SuperSport presenters Lwazi Ziqubu and Fiso Mazibuko, the show features Basketmouth, Phat Joe, Sarah Hassan and Sirayah Shiraz as part of its rotating co-host lineup.

“I am excited because it is different,” Basketmouth says. “It is not just football, it is an experience. Music, culture, our vibe, everything coming together from a perspective you will not find anywhere else.”

“I will be hanging out with some really funny guys, too. Humour is everywhere, and my job is to find those moments and bring them into the conversation.”

On what to expect from him on the show, he adds:

“We are your recovery crew, replaying the best moments you might have missed and keeping it fun. I am bringing the Naija flavour into it. SuperSport did great with this one.

For Phat Joe, the show marks both a return and a new kind of stage.

“Look, anytime you get a call from SuperSport to do a show for a billion people, you answer,” he says.

“But when it’s for a brand-new show with a fresh format and a pan-African cast of hosts? That’s not just a gig, that’s an invitation to be part of something special. I’m hyped to be back in the building. I never left TV, I just took a strategic pause.”

Highlighting the tone of the show, he adds:

“The energy. Most shows talk at you. The Morning Cup feels like it’s waking up with you, family fun every morning with your favourite personalities during the World Cup. Morning TV means I actually get to sleep like a normal human being again. So, my wife is thrilled.”

Earlier today, the cast teased the launch through a cross-continental radio takeover, with Basketmouth on Brila FM in Nigeria and Phat Joe on 947 in South Africa, giving a preview of the show’s tone of banter and chemistry.

And that chemistry, according to Phat Joe, is already questionable.

“Chemistry? What chemistry? I think the producers messed up. I’m asking them to recast some of the positions as we speak,” he jokes.

“Sarah Hassan is a math nerd. You know she studied to be an actuarial scientist? Actress, my foot. She’s going to be busy trying to predict when all the cast members are going to die.”

“Basketmouth is probably going to try to re-kick-start his rap career again on the show for the umpteenth time. The only cast member I like is Sirayah. The producers needed someone to make me look taller, she’s 4’11”, you know.”

Kenyan actress Sarah Hassan brings a contrasting energy to the lineup.

“I am incredibly excited. It’s a true honour to work alongside Joe and the pan-African team. It’s great to be on a show that’s going to give perspectives from all over Africa with hosts from all parts of the continent. It’s a truly African morning show,” she says.

“I’m loving every moment of this journey and honestly don’t want it to end. This is an absolute dream come true. To be here at SuperSport hosting a show of this magnitude, at such an exciting time for football, is fantastic. I am truly at a loss for words.”

She adds: “Being in South Africa right now, it only feels right to throw my full support behind Bafana Bafana. My beloved Kenya would always be my first choice if they were here, but in their absence, I’m Bafana all the way.”

Set against a communal, vibrant backdrop, The Morning Cup captures the rituals and emotions that define the World Cup experience.

Viewers can expect international football legends, daily hot takes, round-table discussions, comedy inserts, fashion segments and on-the-ground content from across Africa and the United States.

Fans can tune in daily from Wednesday, 10 June at 6:00 am to 7:00 am on SuperSport’s FIFA World Cup Central (DStv Channel 202), with multiple replays and on-demand viewing available on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.

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The Final Chapter of BBNaija Season 10 Begins at the Reunion

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BBNaija Season 10 Reunion

After ten weeks of twists, shifting alliances, emotional confrontations and unforgettable moments, the BBNaija Season 10 house may have closed its doors, but many of the conversations it sparked never truly ended.

Now, months after Imisi emerged victorious and walked away with the ₦150 million grand prize, all 29 housemates are set to return for the Season 10 Reunion, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. As anticipation builds for BBNaija Season 11, the reunion offers fans one final opportunity to revisit the stories that kept the 10/10 season at the centre of conversation.

And if there’s one thing viewers know about BBNaija reunions, it’s that they have a way of bringing unfinished business back to the surface.

For starters, fans will be eager to hear from Dede and Kola, whose complicated dynamic generated countless conversations throughout the season. What exactly was happening between them? Was it friendship, attraction, strategy, or a little bit of everything? Months later, many viewers are still searching for answers.

Then there is Victory and Gigi Jasmine, whose rollercoaster relationship became one of the season’s most talked-about storylines. From mixed signals and emotional conversations to unexpected decisions that left viewers divided, theirs was a relationship that rarely lacked drama. The reunion could finally reveal where things stand between them today.

Questions also remain around Faith, one of the season’s most controversial and talked-about housemates. His journey from strong contender to disqualification sparked intense debate among fans and fellow housemates alike. With Sultana and Imisi both playing significant roles in some of the season’s biggest conversations involving him, the reunion may provide long-awaited clarity on one of the defining storylines of the season.

Of course, no look back at the 10/10 season would be complete without revisiting the relationships that captured viewers’ attention. Fans will be curious to know whether connections such as Koyin and Isabella’s survived beyond the house, evolved into something more, or simply became part of the BBNaija experience.

There are also questions surrounding Jason Jae, whose interactions with Joanna, Sultana and Dede kept fans speculating throughout the season. Was he simply playing the game, following genuine connections, or navigating a complicated mix of both? The reunion may finally offer some answers.

Meanwhile, Bright Morgan and Mide’s relationship remained one of the season’s most debated situationships. With emotions, misunderstandings and unanswered questions lingering after the show, viewers will undoubtedly be looking forward to hearing their perspectives now that months have passed.

Beyond the individual stories, the reunion is also an opportunity for housemates to reflect on the alliances, rivalries and decisions that shaped one of the most unpredictable seasons in BBNaija history. Friendships were tested, loyalties shifted, and housemates often found themselves on opposite sides of conversations that dominated social media week after week.

Whether it’s old rivalries, unresolved tensions, surprising reconciliations or long-awaited explanations, fans can expect the conversations they have been waiting months to hear.

The BBNaija Season 10 Reunion premieres on June 8 at 10:00 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. Episodes will be available on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, ensuring viewers never miss a moment of the revelations, resolutions and memorable conversations that await.

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Nigerian Actor Adesina Okiki Janmole Dies in Fatal Auto Crash

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Adesina Okiki Janmole

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A fatal auto crash has claimed the life of a Nigerian actor, Mr Adesina Okiki, otherwise known as Janmole.

The death of the thespian was confirmed on Tuesday by the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr Abolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin.

In a post on his Facebook page today, the comic actor said, “May the soul of our departed colleague, Adesina Okiki Janmole, who tragically lost his life in an accident, rest in perfect peace.

“May God grant his family, friends, and colleagues the strength and comfort to bear this irreparable loss. He will be greatly missed. Amen.”

The demise of this comedian and filmmaker comes a few weeks after the Nigerian film industry lost Alexx Ekubo to cancer.

During his lifetime, Janmole, who died in a road accident on Monday, acted in several movies. He was known for his humour, screen presence and contributions to the Yoruba movie industry.

About four years ago, he survived a fire incident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, an experience many believed he had narrowly escaped.

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