Awards / Music / News

AMAA 2022: ‘Man of God’, ‘Jolly Roger’ shine + full list of nominees

The nominees for the 18th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) are in! The award organizers, on Wednesday September 21, 2022, unveiled the contenders for the top-rated award slated to be hosted in Lagos this October.

Top Nigerian contenders of the year include Kunle Afolayan’s 2021 Netflix title ‘Swallow’, Bolanle Austen Peters’ ‘Man of God’ 9 , a Netflix original, and Walter Waltbanger Taylaur’s ‘Jolly Roger’ 7 .

Efere Ozako AMAA 2022 Award for Best Short film

Enroute -Burkina Faso

Al-Sit -Sudan Astel -Senegal

A Lisbon Affair- Angola

Mamadou – Equatorial Guinea

Houminvi – Benin

Men-tally- Nigeria

Tender Threads – Morocco

Jubril Malafia AMAA 2022 Award for Best Animation

On the Surface – Iceland

Opal – Martinique

Kenda – Cote D’Ivoire

No Way Out – Uganda

Skin Like Mine –USA

PTD – Nigeria

Best Documentary

Taamaden – Mali

No Simple Way Home -Sudan

The Last Shelter – Mali

No U Turn – Nigeria

Transaction – Zimbabwe

Lobola, a Bride’s True Price?- South Africa

Africa Moot – South Africa

When a Farm Goes Aflame- Nigeria/Germany

AMAA 2022 Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language

Borga – Ghana

Tug of War – Tanzania

Tembele – Uganda

Surviving Gaza – South Africa

Alaise – Nigeria

Medicine Man – Kenya

AMAA 2022 National Film & Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film

Man of God

Alaise

Swallow

Jolly Roger

Almajiri

Money Miss Road

AMAA 2022 Award for Best Young/Promising Actor

Emmanuel Afffadzi – Borga

Kebirungi Agnes Knight – Tinka’s Story

Amina Mohammed – Ayaanle

Maryam Waziri Salihu – Almajiri

Samke Makhaba – Surviving Gaza

Emmanuel Kuye – Ba Ni (Mud Clan)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Aphiwe Mkefe – Surviving Gaza

Wale Ojo – A Song from the Dark

Adjetey Annag – Borga

Tshamano Sebe – Angeliene

Toyin Osinaike – Jolly Roger

Segun Arinze – Almajiri

Josh2Funny – Money Miss Road

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Lydia Forson – Borga

Samke Makhoba Surviving Gaza

Ijeoma Grace Agu – Swallow

Siti Amina -Tug

…
Music / News

‘Tems is in my top three,’ says Wizkid

On December 10, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid had a conversation with Apple Music. This was meant to commemorate his Apple Music Award for Artist of the Year (Africa).

He reflects on the last 12 months, discusses the huge success of his album, Made In Lagos, explains how his life has changed since his 2011 debut and reveals his plans for 2022. As part of the show, he spoke about the success of ‘Essence’ and his admiration for Tems.

He says, “I don’t see it like that. I don’t think I’m the first through it. I don’t know what I did, but it just kicked the door open. I feel like everyone’s about to come through right now. There’s about to be loads of records from Africa. That feels good because the truth is, people are tired of listening to the same sh**. They want some real sh**.

“And during the pandemic, it kind of helped because we’re all in the house. So it helped everyone find, well for me, basically I would speak for myself. It made me understand the kind of music that I really loved to listen to more. So I feel like that just helped everyone get in touch with like, oh, yeah, man. I want to listen to some good music, what feels great?

“So when that record dropped, what it did for me was what it did for the people. It made me feel better every time I listen to the song. So it’s just a great record, man. Great record. And I love Tems to death. She’s a special, special talent. She’s like my top three.”

Wizkid also thanked Apple Music for the award.

…
Awards / Music / News

Wizkid named artist of the year by Apple Music

On November 29, 2021, Apple Music announced winners from its annual Apple Music Award. Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid was named Artist of The Year (Africa), while The Weekend was named Artist of The Year globally.

Wizkid’s excerpt reads, “Singer-songwriter Wizkid is one of Africa’s biggest crossover acts, having worked with Drake, Skepta, and Chris Brown, among others. The Nigerian musician first found regional success in 2011 with the massively popular single “Holla at Your Boy,” which appeared on his debut album, “Superstar.” Wizkid went global in 2016 after his collaboration with Drake on “One Dance,” which soared to the top of the charts in 15 countries.

“Between 2019 and 2020, Wizkid was featured in Beyoncé’s projects “The Lion King: The Gift” and its companion piece, “Black Is King.” In October 2020, he released “Made in Lagos,” his critically acclaimed and most commercially successful album, which included his hit song “Essence,” a track that gained 125 million plays on Apple Music and over 2.8 million Shazams.

“This past year, he’s been the most streamed African artist on the continent on Apple Music and ranked on the Daily Top 100 charts in 60 countries, in addition to his monthly plays on Apple Music growing by more than 250 percent outside of Africa. He’s also been featured on Apple Music’s Today’s Hits and R&B Now playlists, and he’s a frequent guest on Apple Music Radio shows, including “Africa Now Radio,” “The Ebro Show,” “New Music Daily with Zane Lowe,” and “OVO SOUND RADIO.”

“Thank you to Apple Music for this award,” Wizkid speaks about winning the award. “It’s a blessing to get to do what I do, and I’m proud to be representing for Africa.”

Other winners at the awards are Aya Nakamura, who was Artist of The Year in France, and H.E.R, who was named Songwriter of The Year.

…
Entertainment / Movies / News

Yvonne Jegede scoops 9 awards at just concluded TINFF

Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede has unveiled an impressive new feat at the just concluded Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF).

Jegede recently took to her Instagram page to announce that she had swept nine out of 10 awards at the Canadian festival.

“I co-produced a movie Marrying A Campbell to be released 2022. Story by Yvonne Jegede. Script by Yvonne Jegede, Patrick Nnamani and Jane Odogwu,” the actress wrote.

“I acted and I co-executive produced. We just bagged nine out of 10 awards at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival. Allow me to brag because I brag different.”

The yet to be released film follows the story of Rachel Campbell, a wealthy Nigerian socialite and mother of four daughters. Things take a drastic turn when she discovers that her youngest daughter is set to marry the son of an impoverished farmer.

The Ayana Saunders directed film also stars Chelsea Eze, Bolanle Ninolowo, Dave Ogbeni among others and will debut in 2022.

…
Business / Law / News

Wigwe, Emefiele honoured with Juris Law Award

The Chairman, Body of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director of Access Bank PLC, Herbert Wigwe, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to Corporate Governance and Rule of Law in Nigeria’s Banking Industry.

Wigwe was presented the Juris Law Award by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad at the 2021 Judges Workshop on Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 which held on Tuesday, 12 October 2021 in Abuja.

Also honored with an award was the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The Juris Law Award is presented in honor of leaders who are taking significant steps towards promoting economic growth in Nigeria through deepening institutions, corporate governance and Rule of Law.

Accepting the award, Wigwe stated that he was honored to receive the award, adding that “through innovative banking initiatives and our underlying sustainability drive, Access Bank will continue to create shared value for all our stakeholders, striking a balance between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility.”

Wigwe and Emefiele have partnered in the creation of several positive socio-economic initiatives such as the Creative Industries and Financing Initiative; a loan scheme developed to provide access to long-term and low-interest financing for entrepreneurs in Nigeria. In addition, Wigwe, Emefiele and Aliko Dangote were key parties in the formation of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) – a vehicle created to spearhead corporate Nigeria’s support for the federal government’s fight against the deadly virus. The successful coalition funded the establishment of response centers,  acquisition of medical equipment, supplies and food palliatives for vulnerable Nigerians.

The 2021 Judges Workshop on Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 focused on reforms and the statutory requirements imposed by CBN on all banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria to adopt policies on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism and cyber security in Nigeria.

Also in attendance of the workshop were the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF); Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Appeal Court President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensen; the Chief Judge of the Federal …

Entertainment

Drake Wins “Artist Of The Decade” at the 2021 Billboard Awards

On Sunday night (May 23), Drake accepted Billboard‘s Artist of the Decade Award at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. 

Honored at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Drake’s OVO team, along with his parents, presented him with the prestigious award. His manager, Future the Prince, had glowing praise for the self-proclaimed 6 God, labeling him as “the most kind, selfless, generous person we know.”

After viewers watched a montage highlighting his lofty achievements, Drake sauntered onstage with his son Adonis by his side. He presented him the award and then humbly discussed his journey to greatness.

…