The announcement is contained in a statement signed by Mr Musa Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government on Thursday in Benin.

Johnson-Okojie is an accomplished Nigerian actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

She is one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with a career spanning nearly two decades and featuring in over 200 films.

Her outstanding contributions to the Nigerian film industry have earned her numerous awards and nominations, including recognition at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA, and other prestigious platforms.

Beyond her achievements in the entertainment industry, Johnson-Okojie is widely respected for her humanitarian and advocacy work.

Through the Mercy Johnson-Okojie Foundation, she has championed causes focused on women empowerment, child welfare, education support, and healthcare outreach.

She has consistently leveraged her platform to promote social responsibility, civic awareness, and community development.

In her new role as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy, Johnson-Okojie is expected to deploy her vast public influence, communication expertise, and grassroots reach to strengthen residents’ engagement with government policies and programme.

Source: NAN

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The post Mercy Johnson-Okojie joins Edo govt as Special Adviser appeared first on Frontpageng.

The film, produced in 2023 by BB Sasore and Derin Adeyokunnu secured wins for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound Design, Best Director, and the most coveted award of the night – Best Movie.

The AMVCA is an annual award presented by MultiChoice, recognising outstanding achievements in television and film.

The event started on Thursday with a night of icons and a vibrant Cultural Day celebration on Friday.

On Saturday, the 10th anniversary of the award continued at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, hosted by television personality, Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa.

Veteran Actress,  Idowu Philips, known as Iya Rainbow”, was honoured with the ‘Industry Merit Award’.

Richard Mofe-Damijo, a veteran Nollywood actor, was also announced as joint winner of the Industry Merit Award of the 10th edition of the AMVCA.

Responding, Philips said, “I thank God that I am still alive. 1942 till now, I thank God. I dedicate the award to my creator, my late husband, Augustine Ayanfemi, my children, my fans and my friends. Thank you all.”

Mofe-Damijo said: “AMVCA thank you. This is completely unexpected. Every actor, producer, writer and all need someone who can trust in them, I have been blessed by being supported by young people. I thank you.”

Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun clinched the ‘Best Indigenous Language West Africa’.

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Receiving the award, Adebayo said:  “Thank you AMVCA and all the cast and crew of  Jagun Jagun. We are unstoppable, we are going harder.”

Below is a list of winners at the 10th AMVCA:

Best Writing Award: Volume

Best writing movie: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti – Tunde Babalola

Best Sound Design: Grey Jones Ossai x2 (Breathe of Life and Blood Vessel)

Best Editing: Antonio Ribeiro

Best Indigenous West Africa. Femi Adebayo, Jagun Jagun

Best Digital Content: Layi Wasabi

Best Short Film: Broken Mask

Best Unscripted M-Net Original: Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives)

Best Scripted: Slum King

Best Makeup: Mami Wata (Campbell Precious Arebamen)

Best Art Direction: Over the bridge

Best Costume Design: Jagun Jagun (Lola Awe)

Best Supporting Actress: Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life

Best Supporting Actor: Ademola Adedoyin (Breath of Life)

Best Cinematography: Over the bridge

Best Indigenous MNet Original: Irora Iya

Trailblazer Award: Chimezie Imo

Industry Merit Awards: Iya Rainbow (Idowu Philips) and Richard Mofe Damijo

Best Lead Actress: Kehinde Bankole (Adire)

Best Lead Actor: Wale Ojo (Breath of Life)

Best MultiChoice Talent Factory Movie: Our Dark Past

Best Series (Unscripted): Gh Queens (s2)

Best Series Scripted: Itura

Best Director: BB Sasore (Breath of Life)

Best Movie: Breath of Life.

Speaking at the event, Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said that the AMVCA was created to honour exceptional achievements in television and film across the continent.

“We are excited to have been able to keep that fire burning through 10 editions.

“Year after year, we have received numerous entries and can attest to the growth in the quality of submissions with each edition.

“While this year’s edition is a milestone edition as it is the 10th, it is also a testament to the growth the film industry in Africa has experienced.

“We congratulate all the winners and nominees who have put in the incredible work. We’ll also like to say a big thank you to everyone in the African film industry. You have all made us proud,” she said.

This year’s edition had 27 categories, with 16 non-voting and nine audience voting categories, and the winners were selected by a jury led by ace filmmaker and head judge, Femi Odugbemi.

Some of the visible works from the awards include ‘Breath of Life’ and ‘Jagun Jagun’, winning multiple awards.

Shaffy Bello and Seyi Sodimu mesmerised the audience with their 1999 produced music, “Love Me Jeje”.

Victory Gbakara, 2023 winner of the Nigerian Idol did a performance while renowned artistes like KCee, Awilo, Chike and Adekunle Gold also thrilled the audience.

Source: NAN

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Bakre, a two-time Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) ‘Best Actor’ winner, disclosed this while speaking during the preview of “Slum King”, in Lagos.

He said that the production was hectic as he had to read through the Bible as his script and shoo for two months at a stretch, unlike every other movies he had featured.

“This is my most challenging project so far, the first time I was given a Bible to read as my script but I’m proud and confident to be part of this. Africa Magic, you created greatness, thank you.

“Delivering my role was very hectic in Slum King, this was a longer project, we shot for two months, everyday doing a lot of work which was emotionally and mentally sapping but as a professional, I ensured I delivered my role appropriately.

“I acted as Edafe, a young guy who had to go through unfortunate circumstances,  losing his parents and entire family at a very young age and life just changed in a twinkle of an eye,” he said.

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Bakre described himself as a self driven fellow who is optimistic to be one of the greatest actors out of Nollywood.

Speaking on his work relationship with his colleague on the job, Olarotimi Fakunle, who acted as Bale, Bakre described Fakunle as a great and amazing actor.

“Olarotimi is a great actor, one of the best actors I have worked with till date. He is so amazing and he is an open book, he is ready to teach and I feel even beyond acting, he should be a producer, director and a lecturer when it comes to this space of acting.

“We had a brotherly interpersonal relationship,  I learnt a lot from him and he is also humbly open to learn too,” he said.

Commenting on the morals the series relayed, Bakre said, “I’ve learnt a lot of life lessons stepping into the shoes of Maje, as we are all victims of our circumstances and what becomes important are the decisions we make when trying to get out of them.

“The people you see on the streets are also human beings, collectively, we can work together to build a better community for ourselves.

“And generally, we should all spread love and empathise with one another.”

Earlier, Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content, West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, said  that the first episode of the series would be aired on October 8, on Africa Magic Showcase by 8.00p.m, after which it will be showcased every Sunday on DStv channel 151 and GOtv channel 12.

Tejumola described the script of the series as an amazing one as she commended the producer of and the cast for their efforts in producing an outstanding series.

“We are incredibly excited to present this powerful and gripping drama that takes viewers on an emotional journey.

“It is all about showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

“The team has worked tirelessly on this project and it is a testament to the remarkable storytelling that MultiChoice is committed to delivering,” she said.

Also, Chichi Nworah, producer of the series, “Slum King”, said that the series was produced out of the quest to tell stories of where a lot of people come from, particularly the slums.

She said Slum King was conceived in 2021 and prepared for three years to come up with the series.

According to her, the series relays the story of how people move from high to low but not basically about crime.

“The production of Slum King was quite hectic, I fell sick all through the production process as well as the director, and the casts.

“We have been able to tell the story of how people in the ghettos have dreams but don’t eventually get such dreams actualised.

“After three years of labour, a true masterpiece has emerged. A big shout out to the dedicated team who invested countless hours of their time and effort breathing life into this project,” she said.

“Slum King,” the highly anticipated limited drama series from Africa Magic, created a buzz long before its official release,” she said.

Slum King is an intriguing story of Edafe ‘Majemijesu’ Umukoro, who witnessed the massacre of his family by armed robbers at age 11 – robbers, who had entered his family home because he unfortunately forgot to lock the front door.

Sad events force ambition on an indifferent Edafe, causing him to detest his lowly status and develop an appetite for power.

Trapped in the cycle of guilt and trauma, Slum King takes us on Edafe’s journey from a disturbed tout in the slums to become MAJE, the charismatic king of the slums.

Source: NAN

The post ‘Slum King’, my most challenging project, says Tobi Bakre appeared first on Frontpageng.

Below are the winners at the event

Best Actor in a Comedy – (Movie/TV Series)

Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi)

Best Actress in a Comedy – (Movie/TV Series)

Bimbo Ademoye – Selina

Best Actor in a Drama – (Movie/TV Series)

Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood

Best Actress in a Drama – (Movie/TV Series)

Osas Ighodaro – Man of God

Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series)

Abdisattar Ahmed – Gacal

Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series)

Efe Irele – Four Four Forty Four

Best Short Film

Adeoye Adetunji – Pa Aromire

Best Online Social Content Creator

Elozonam, Kie Kie – Back From The Future

Best Original Telenovela

Mpali

Best Unscripted Original

King Bugar

Best Original Comedy Series

Njoro Wa Uba

Best Original Drama Series

Ricordi

Best Art Director

Wale Adeleke – King Of Thieves (Agesinkole)

Best Costume Designer (Movie/TV Series)

Adeola Art-Alade – The Real Housewives of Lagos (Reunion Episode)

Best Lighting Designer (Movie/TV Series)

Mathew Yusuf – Brotherhood

Best Picture Editor (Movie/TV Series)

Holmes Awa & Daniel Tom – Crime & Justice

Best Sound Editor (Movie/TV Series)

Anu Afolayan – Anikulapo

Best Soundtrack (Movie/TV Series)

Kent Edunjobi – Anikulapo

Best Makeup (Movie/TV Series)

Maryam Ndukwe, Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Shanty Town

Best Writer (Movie/TV Series)

Sola Dada – Anikulapo

Best Cinematographer (Movie/TV Series)

Loukman Ali – Brotherhood

Best Movie, Southern Africa

Jewel – Elvis Chucks

Best Movie, East Africa

Click Click Bang – Philip Karanja Njenga

Best Movie, West Africa

Brotherhood – Jade Osiberu

Best Television Series

Crime & Justice – Yinka Edward

Best Documentary

Nigeria the Debut – Nora Awolowo

Best Director

Loukman Ali – Brotherhood

The Multichoice Talent Factory Film

Leaked

Best Indigenous Language, Swahili (Movie/TV Series)

Philip Karanja Njenga – Click Click Bang

Best Indigenous Language, Yoruba (Movie/TV Series)

Anikulapo – Kunle Afolayan

Best Indigenous Language, Hausa (Movie/TV Series)

Aisha – Abubakar Bashir Maishadda

Best Indigenous Language, Igbo (Movie/TV Series)

Uhuruchi – Victor Iyke

Best Overall Movie, Africa

Anikulapo – Kunle Afolayan

Industry Merit Award

Patience Ozokwor

The Trailblazer Award

Angel Onigwe

Best Dressed Male

Enioluwa Adeoluwa

Best Dressed Female

Beauty Tukura

The post AMVCA 2023: Behold the winners appeared first on Frontpageng.

It recorded the highest number of awards.

The movie which was nominated for 16 awards won in the following categories: Best Overall Movie; Best Indigenous Language (Yoruba); Best Sound Editor (movie/TV series); Best Writer (Movie/TV series), and Best Sound Track (movie/TV series).

Released in 2022, the movie parades stars like Sola Sobowale; Bimbo Ademoye; Kunle Remi; Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Taiwo Hassan, among others.

The post AMVCA 2023: Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo’ shines with five awards appeared first on Frontpageng.

Popular On-Air Personality, Toke Makinwa; TV host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu; TV personality, Uti Nwachukwu and Ghanaian actress, Sika Osei, were on the red carpets talking to celebrities about their choice of outfits.

The AMVCA red carpet started with John Ugbe, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Multichoice reading his pre-recorded welcome speech and applauding African filmmakers for continually reinventing themselves while telling the African story.

The show was anchored by radio and television on-air personality.

IK Osakioduwa, and the glamorous South African Bonang Matheba.

The show kicked off with Yemi Alade’s  performance of Tambourine.

Thereafter, Osakioduwa poked a joke at actor Deyemi Okanlanwon about the actor surviving during COVID-19, Okanlawon almost pulled a  Will Smith slap on him jokingly.

The Best Supporting Actress in Drama or TV series male and female categories went to  Omowunmi Dada, for her role in “Country Hard”, while Odunlade Adekola won for his role in “Jankariwo”.

Lagbaja and Rema mounted the stage and reminded the audience why a collaboration between the younger generation and older generation would always be a hit and experience mixed with energy.

“No do gra gra” and  “Konko below” classics were performed and had the audience swaying as the nostalgic feeling kept them on their feet. The audience gave a thunderous applause after the performance.

The awards for Best for Africa Magic Comedy TV series, Best Creator, went to Rogers Ofime.

Tinsel’s cast and crew won a lifetime recognition award for successfully running the series for 15 consecutive years.

For Best Actress and Actor in Comedy, Funke Akindele-Bello won for her role in “Omoghetto The Saga”, while  Samuel Perry popularly know as Broda  Shagi won the male category.

Awards for best actress in drama movie or TV series was won by Osas Ighodaro, for her role in Rattle Snake.

Stan Nzeh won in the Male  category also for Rattle Snake.

The organisers of the AMVCA took out time to celebrate  entertainers who had passed away. They included are Karibi Fubara, Babatunde Omodina, Victor Olaotan, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Biglow, Sadiq Daba and Bolaji Rosiji, among others.

Best Talent Factory went to Daisy Masembe, while best dressed actor and actress at the AMVCA went to Denola Grey and Osas Ighodaro respectively.

They went home with N500,000 each.

Trailblazers award went to a production assistant that grew into a producer, Teniola Aladese.

The award was presented by Hollywood actress, Tasha Smith.

The Industry Merit Awards, an award given to deserving thespians in the movie industry, was presented to Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, an octogenarian whose versatility cuts across stage performances and movies.

“I have led an incredible life and I am grateful for my journey and for those that are before me and those coming after me, God is great and I’m thankful,” Ajayi-Lycett said.

The award for the Best Director went to Ramsey Nouah for his second attempt at directing in Rattle Snake.

Best overall film went to Amina, a movie based on Queen Amina, the history of the first woman to rule the Zazzau Empire in the 16th century.

The event ended on an electrifying note with Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, performing one of his hit tracks, “Ogbona feli feli”.

Source: NAN

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These steps are necessary to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, made the call on Tuesday in a tweet.

His call was made against the backdrop that any of them might have had contact with one of the confirmed cases of coronavirus in Lagos.

“I hereby notify you that all participants at the African Magic viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) held on14th March at @EkoHotels may have come in contact with one of the confirmed cases in Lagos and are most likely to have been exposed to #COVID19 Infection,” he tweeted.

The commissioner added in another tweet: “Attendees at the said event are therefore advised to:

“1 Observe strict self- isolation.

“2 Call our #TollFree line 08000corona if they notice any of the #COVID19 related symptoms

“3 Let’s #TakeResponsibility by practicing #SocialDistancing to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The event is organised annually by Multichoice to reward outstanding performances in television and film.

The event was attended by many Nollywood stars.

The post COVID-19: What participants at AMVCA should do to avoid spread -Lagos appeared first on Frontpageng.

It is a brand new SUV –GAC Triumpchi GS8.

Bisola, highly excited, received the car at the corporate headquarters of Multichoice Nigeria in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Bisola is managed by Temple Management Company.

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