Connect with us

Entertainment

Bovi To Replace IK Osakioduwa as hosts for 12th edition Of AMVCA, Ending 11-year Run

After eleven consecutive editions under the same host, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is changing the face of its stage.

The organisers have announced Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha as co-hosts for the 12th edition, scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, bringing to a close IK Osakioduwa’s unbroken run as the face of the ceremony since its debut in 2013.

Osakioduwa has been a fixture of the AMVCA since the awards launched, hosting every edition across more than a decade. His departure from the role marks the most significant change to the ceremony’s presentation since its inception.

In his place steps Bovi, one of Nigeria’s most recognised stand-up comedians, known for his sharp wit, storytelling, and stage command. Joining him is Nomzamo Mbatha, whose profile extends well beyond the screen. The actress, producer, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador gained international recognition through her role in Coming 2 America and currently stars as Queen Nandi in the acclaimed epic drama series Shaka iLembe, for which she also serves as Executive Producer.

The organisers described the pairing as “a master of wit and narrative, and a global icon of screen and advocacy,” promising a night where “mastery meets African excellence.” Bovi, speaking on his appointment, made clear he understands the significance of the occasion.

“The AMVCA stage is one of the biggest in Africa, and I don’t take that lightly,” he said. “I want to bring the energy, the laughs, and the magic that this night deserves. African storytelling is at an all-time high, and it’s an honour to be the one holding the mic while we celebrate the best of it.”

Veteran actress Joke Silva has been named head judge for the 12th edition.On the nominations front, Gingerrr and The Herd lead the pack with nine nods each across acting, directing, and technical categories. To Kill A Monkey follows with eight nominations, while My Father’s Shadow, from the Davies brothers, earned seven across various categories.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Reconciliation with ex-husband Churchill helped women restore broken relationships-Tonto Dikeh

Actress Tonto Dikeh has revealed how her reconciliation with her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, inspired her to help at least 10 women restore broken relationships with the fathers of their children. Dikeh shared this while urging single mothers to let go of hurt and embrace forgiveness for their own peace and healing.

According to the actress, her reconciliation with Churchill prompted several women in similar situations to reach out to her for guidance on how she overcame the pain of their decade-long dispute.

Ever since my reconciliation with my ex-husband, hundreds of women have reached out asking the same question: How did you learn to forgive?

While I couldn’t reply to everyone, I reached out to those whose pain mirrored my own. Today, to the glory of God, at least 10 women have been reconciled, restoring peace, healing hearts, and stepping into healthy co-parenting. God has truly turned my personal story into a tool for restoration.

If you are carrying bitterness today, please hear this: Forgiveness is never for the person who hurt you; it is for you. It is the key to moving your life forward. God will not inflict pain on others just because we are hurting,” she explained

Dikeh added that women who struggle with broken relationships should trust God rather than remain trapped in bitterness.

“True closure doesn’t come from people; it comes from God. He promises to restore the years that the cankerworm has eaten. Not just days or weeks, but years. Every tear you’ve shed and every year spent in pain will be turned into a powerful testimony.”

Dikeh’s message comes months after she announced the end of her long-running feud with Churchill, the father of her son, King Andre.

The former couple got married in 2015, but their marriage collapsed less than two years later. Their separation became a highly publicised dispute, with both parties involved in several accusations and public exchanges. Their disagreements also extended to issues around their son, with custody and co-parenting becoming part of the conflict. After years of hostility, Dikeh announced in January 2026 that she and Churchill had reconciled.

Continue Reading

Celebs

Celebrity Chef Hilda Baci threatens legal actions against Seyi Vibez

.Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci is demanding an apology from musician Seyi Vibez over defamatory posts. When Afrobeats star Seyi Vibez recently launched an online tirade against Damilola Akinwunmi, the CEO of Dapper Music, over allegations of contract breach and fraud, celebrity chef Hilda Baci was caught in the crossfire.

In a now-deleted post on his X page, Seyi Vibez claimed that Hilda Baci’s food almost killed him after her partner, the CEO of Dapper Music, gave it to him. The post, which was meant to mock Akinwunmi, with whom he was feuding, invariably denigrated the culinary skills and quality of the meal of the celebrity chef who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jollof rice.

n the letter by Hilda Baci’s lawyers, Olaniwon Ajayi LLC, Seyi Vibez is accused of making the libellous post viewed approximately 4.3 million times before it was deleted.

“First Publication on 14th August, 2026 by 13:24 WAT “Na Hilda Baci bbl all una catalogue money dey go [Face with Tears of Joy emoji] All of una Dey craze and una mama”

Second Publication 14th August, 2026 by 13:32 WAT “I Made dapper. Dapper won take all of them life Ohboi. I chop Hilda baci food one day Na the same dapper give me the food almost kill me Dem Dey use jazz The jazz no work on me”

The above publications have been viewed approximately 4.3 million times, retweeted approximately 7,100 times, received approximately 3,000 comments, and were liked approximately 45,000 times, and continue to be accessible and circulated on the internet.”

Her lawyers further added that since the musician made the post, their client has been exposed to unwarranted, persistent, and escalating harassment across various social media platforms.

“Following the publication of the aforesaid malevolent statements, our client has been subjected to unwanted, persistent and escalating harassment across various social media platforms and personal handles, including a barrage of unsolicited and abusive messages and comments from members of the public. This conduct has exposed our client to unwarranted public hostility and harassment, causing our Client considerable distress and reputational harm, and has materially interfered with her privacy, peace and personal security. The targeted harassment is a direct and foreseeable consequence of the publications complained of.”

Continue Reading

Celebs

Erica opens up on mental struggles she faced after Big Brother Naija

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Erica Nlewedim, has opened up on the mental struggles she faced after her time on the reality show. The actress and reality star revealed that she battled serious anxiety after leaving the show, as she struggled with constant insults and criticism from fans and social media users. Erica made the revelation while reflecting on her experience after her time on Big Brother Naija and the impact of staying in the public eye.

Speaking about the impact of her time on the reality show, she said she was grateful for the opportunities it created but admitted that the constant trolling took a toll on her mental health.

“I am happy I did it (BBN) because it changed my life, money-wise and all of that. I had to see a therapist afterwards. At first, I didn’t know it was getting to me until after like three years of back-to-back insults.

If I open Instagram and see notifications, I will be like, “Are they dragging me for something again?” I was always anxious, and I didn’t like that.

2024 was my quiet time. I didn’t act on any movie; I just decided to take a break in 2024. It was just last year that I decided to start coming back.

They are like, “Oh, you signed up for this, or you should be used to it by now. One shouldn’t be used to insults or trolling because they are celebrities.”

According to her, some movie producers dismissed her acting ability because of her background as a Big Brother Naija star. She said some producers cast her in lead roles mainly to attract her fans, rather than because they believed in her talent.

“Before I went for Big Brother in 2019, I went to film school in London and I came back thinking I was going to take over, and then Covid happened. So, I had to go for Big Brother.

I was already acting before Big Brother, but most of the characters I played were not lead roles. But after Big Brother, they would put me as the lead and be like It’s only because they want my fans to buy the tickets that they put me in a lead role. It was just all about, you can’t do this. That’s all I kept hearing, and then some producers would be like they put us because they need our fans to come and watch the movie and they would say it to my face. At some point, it just broke me, and that’s why I took a break in 2024. The hardest time was 2023.”

Erica was one of the housemates on the 2020 Lockdown edition of Big Brother Naija. Her time on the show attracted significant attention, particularly because of her relationship with fellow housemate Kiddwaya and her clashes with Laycon.

Continue Reading

Trending