Entertainment
MultiChoice Sets March 29 for AMVCA 2026 Nominees Reveal
MultiChoice Sets March 29 for AMVCA 2026 Nominees Reveal
MultiChoice Nigeria, organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), has announced that the nominees for the 2026 edition will be unveiled on March 29, 2026, marking the beginning of the countdown to the 12th edition of one of Africa’s biggest entertainment awards.
In a post shared on Instagram, the organisers disclosed that the announcement will be broadcast live on Africa Magic channels at 7:00 PM WAT, giving fans, filmmakers, and industry stakeholders real-time access to the official list of nominees across various categories.
Award-winning actor Chimezie Imo has been selected to host the nominee unveiling event, adding to the anticipation surrounding the announcement. The live broadcast is expected to draw wide viewership across the continent as audiences get their first look at the contenders for this year’s honours.
The organisers had earlier opened submissions for entries for the 12th edition between January 11 and February 15, inviting filmmakers, producers, and content creators across Africa to submit eligible works. The entries covered a broad range of categories, reflecting the diversity and growing sophistication of African storytelling.
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This year’s edition continues the AMVCA’s tradition of recognising excellence in film, television, and digital content, with the awards structured into 32 categories. These include 18 jury-decided awards, 11 audience-voted categories, two lifetime achievement honours, and one trailblazer award, designed to celebrate both established and emerging talents in the industry.
MultiChoice noted that the AMVCA remains committed to showcasing the creativity, innovation, and global competitiveness of African entertainment, positioning the awards as a major cultural platform for the continent. The organisers also highlighted plans to expand indigenous language categories, further strengthening representation of Africa’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
The 2026 edition will be supported by leading brands, with Don Julio announced as the headline sponsor, reflecting the continued commercial growth and prestige of the awards. The partnership underscores the AMVCA’s evolution into a premium event that blends entertainment, culture, and industry recognition.
The main awards ceremony is scheduled to hold in Lagos in May 2026, with additional details expected to be released in the coming weeks. As preparations intensify, attention now shifts to the nominee unveiling, which will set the tone for competition among Africa’s top creative talents.
MultiChoice Sets March 29 for AMVCA 2026 Nominees Reveal
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Entertainment
Shakira-Burna Boy song named official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem
Shakira-Burna Boy song named official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem
Global music sensation Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy have teamed up to deliver the official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with FIFA unveiling a teaser for their highly anticipated collaboration titled Dai Dai.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada, kicks off on June 11, 2026.
Shakira on Thursday shared a 67-second teaser of the song, filmed inside the iconic Maracanã Stadium.
In the colourful clip, the Grammy-winning singer appears in a yellow top, blue skirt and sneakers as she dances across the pitch alongside performers surrounded by footballs.
The teaser climaxes with fireworks lighting up the stadium while the words “We Are Ready” appear boldly across the roof.
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Announcing the project on X, Shakira wrote: “From Maracaná Stadium, here is ‘Dai Dai,’ the @FIFAWorldCup Official Song 2026. Coming 5/14. We’re ready! @burnaboy.”
The full track is scheduled for release on May 14.
The collaboration marks Shakira’s return to the World Cup stage after the huge global success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, widely regarded as one of football’s most memorable songs.
She also featured prominently in the music lineup for the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil, further cementing her status as one of football’s defining musical voices.
For Burna Boy, the project represents another major international milestone as he brings Afrobeats to one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.
Fans have since flooded social media with excitement over the teaser, hailing Shakira as the “Queen of World Cup anthems” while celebrating Burna Boy’s inclusion in the historic collaboration.
Shakira-Burna Boy song named official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem
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Entertainment
Doctor Urges Portable to Take Brain Scan After Celebrity Boxing Fight With Carter Efe
Doctor Urges Portable to Take Brain Scan After Celebrity Boxing Fight With Carter Efe
A Nigerian doctor based in Canada, Arinze Onwumelu, has advised singer Portable to undergo an urgent brain scan (MRI) following his celebrity boxing match with skit maker Carter Efe, warning that the musician may have suffered hidden head injuries during the bout.
The fight, held in Lagos over the weekend, ended in Portable’s defeat and quickly went viral, generating widespread reactions across social media platforms and sparking renewed debate about the safety of celebrity boxing events in Nigeria.
In a post shared on X, Dr. Onwumelu—also known as Dr. Zo—said Portable should immediately undergo an MRI brain scan to rule out possible internal injuries sustained during the match.
He explained that repeated punches to sensitive areas of the head could place the singer at risk of a subdural hematoma, a serious condition involving bleeding around the brain that can occur after head trauma.
According to him, exhibition boxing matches are intended for entertainment and should not involve excessive force capable of causing long-term health complications.
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“This is an exhibition match meant for entertainment, not a real fight to harm anyone,” he said, questioning whether the level of aggression displayed in the fight was properly controlled or communicated to participants.
The doctor further recommended that Portable undergo a full neurological evaluation, including brain imaging, to ensure there are no complications such as internal bleeding or vascular damage.
He also called on organisers of celebrity boxing events to make protective headgear compulsory in future bouts to reduce the risk of serious injury and improve athlete safety.
The warning has intensified online discussions about the rising popularity of celebrity boxing in Nigeria, with many social media users questioning the safety standards and medical oversight of such events.
Portable, who has previously participated in similar celebrity fights, including bouts against actor Charles Okocha and rapper Speed Darlington, had earlier expressed confidence ahead of the match, insisting he was medically fit and prepared to win.
However, the latest medical concern has shifted attention from entertainment value to health risks associated with celebrity combat sports, especially as such events continue to attract large audiences and online engagement.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Portable nor Carter Efe has publicly responded to the doctor’s recommendation.
Doctor Urges Portable to Take Brain Scan After Celebrity Boxing Fight With Carter Efe
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Entertainment
Funke Akindele Explains Why She Stopped Attending Church
Funke Akindele Explains Why She Stopped Attending Church
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed why she no longer attends church services physically, saying constant public attention and media intrusion during worship influenced her decision.
In a video shared on her Snapchat account on Sunday morning, the award-winning actress was seen preparing breakfast for her children as they got ready for church. She explained that while her children still attend church physically, she now prefers to join services online from home.
According to her, the major reason for stepping back from physical church attendance is the repeated focus on her by camera operators and individuals taking photos whenever she is present in church, which she says makes her uncomfortable and distracted during worship.
“I don’t go to church anymore. Anytime I attend, they keep taking pictures of me. So I prefer to join online, make breakfast, and work on my projects,” she said.
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Akindele added that she now finds online worship more peaceful and private, allowing her to focus better on her faith, family responsibilities, and professional commitments in the film industry.
She emphasized that her decision is personal and should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from Christianity, noting that her faith remains intact but is now practiced in a more private setting.
The actress, one of Nigeria’s most influential entertainment figures, also highlighted the challenges of fame, noting that public figures are often under constant observation even in personal or sacred spaces.
Her comments have since generated widespread reactions across social media, with fans debating issues around celebrity privacy, church media practices, and the pressure of public attention on high-profile individuals.
Funke Akindele Explains Why She Stopped Attending Church
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