Events
AMAA 2018: In My Country, Isoken, Hotel Called Memory… most nominated Nigerian films
The nominees for the 2018 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) was announced on Friday at an event held at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Lagos.
Here is the full list of the nominees:
EFERE OZAKO AMAA 2018 award for Best Short Film
Dem Dem – Senegal/Belgium
Zenith – Cameroun/USA
It Rains on Ouga – Burkina Faso
In Shadows – Kenya
Coat of Harm – Nigeria
Tikitat Soulima – Morocco
Nice, Very Nice – Algeria
Visions (Shaitan, Buruja, Brood) – Nigeria
Fallou – Senegal
Still Water Runs Deep – Nigeria/USA
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Animation
Group Photo – Nigeria
Belly Flop – South Africa
Untitled – Ghana
Crush – Nigeria
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Documentary
Bigger Than Africa – Nigeria/USA
Winnie – South Africa
Boxing Libreville – Gabon
Silas – South Africa/Kenya
When Babies Don’t Come – South Africa
Uncertain Future – Burundi
We Came In Sprint Carts – South Africa
OUSMANE SEMBENE AMAA 2018 Award for Best Film in an African Language
Mansoor – Nigeria
Five Fingers For Marseilles – South Africa
Icheke Oku – Nigeria
Agwaetiti Obiuto – Nigeria
Nyasaland – Malawi
Tunu – Tanzania
MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AMAA 2018 Award for Best Film by an African living abroad
Minister – Nigeria/Italy
Alexandra – Nigeria/USA
Low Lifes And High Hopes – Nigeria/Austria
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Diaspora Short
Torments of Love (Guadeloupe)
Baby Steps (USA)
Intercept (USA)
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Diaspora Documentary
Evolutionary Blues (USA)
Barrows: Freedom Fighter (Barbados)
Sammy Davis Jr. – I’ve Got To Be Me (USA)
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Diaspora Narrative Feature
Angelica (Puerto Rico)
Love Jacked (Canada)
Charlie: La Vie Magnifique Charlie (USA)
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Production Design
Kada River
Five Fingers For Marseille
Tatu
In My Country
Cross Roads
AMAA 2018 Achievement in Costume Design
Icheke Oku
Cross Roads
Esohe
Five Fingers For Marseille
Isoken
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Make-up
Siembamba
Icheke Oku
Five Fingers For Marseille
Esohe
The Road To Sunshine
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Soundtrack
The Road To Sunshine
Tatu
Hotel Called Memory
Isoken
Siembamba
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Visual Effect
Siembamba
Icheke Oku
Lucky Specials
Esohe
Kada River
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Sound
The Lost Café
The Road To Sunshine
Hotel Called Memory
Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll
Sidechic Gang
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Cinematography
The Road To Sunshine
Five Fingers For Marseille
The Lost Café
The Blessed Vost (Les Bienheureux)
Siembamba
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Editing
Hotel Called Memory
Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll
Lucky Specials
The Blessed Vost (Les Bienheureux)
Siembamba
AMAA 2018 Award for Achievement in Screenplay
The Women
Potato Potahto
Ojukokoro
Five Fingers For Marseille
Hakkunde
The Lost Café
AMAA 2018- AYIAM OSIGWE FOUNDATION Award for Best Nigerian Film
Cross Roads
In My Country
Isoken
Hotel Called Memory
Ojukokoro
Lost Café
Icheke Oku
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Young/Promising Actor
Patrick Dibuah – Banana Island Ghost
Austin Enabulele – In My Country
Cindy Sanyu – Bella
Anine Lansari – The Blessed Vost (Les Bienheureux)
Maurice Paige – Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll
Nichole Ozioma Banna – Icheke Oku
Zainab Balogun – Sylva
TONY ELUMELU AMAA 2018 Award for Best Comedy
Sidechic Gang – Ghana
Banana Island Ghost – Nigeria
The Adventures Of Supermama – South Africa
Koko: The Box TV – Nigeria
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Seun Ajayi – Ojukokoro
Lionel Newton – Pop Lock ‘N’ Roll
Akah Nani – Banana Island Ghost
Richard Lukunku – Lucky Specials
Gideon Okeke – Cross Roads
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Sika Osei – In Line
Sivenathi Mabuya – Lucky Specials
Rahama Sadau – Hakkunde
Toyin Abraham- Esohe
Joke Silva – Potato Potahto
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Vuyo Dabula – Five Fingers For Marseille
Richard Mofe Damijo – Cross Roads
Sam Dede – In My Country
Sani Bouajla – The Blessed Vost
OC Ukeje – Potato Potahto
Chris Attoh – Esohe
Oros Mampofu – Lucky Specials
Frank Donga – Hakkunde
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Kate Henshaw- Roti
Reine Swart – Siembamba
Okawa Shaznay –In My Country
Dakore Egbuson – Isoken
Nana Ama McBrown, Lydia Forson and Sika Osei – Sidechic Gang
Mariam Phiri – The Road To Sunrise
Tunde Aladese – Lost Café
Joselyn Dumas – Potato Potahto
AMAA 2018 Award for the Best First Feature Film by a Director
My Mothers Story –Flora Suya- Malawi
Ogwuetiti Obiuto – Onyeka Nwelue – Nigeria
Five Fingers for Marseilles- Michael Mathews- South Africa
Isoken – Jadesola Osiberu- Nigeria
18 Hours – Njue Kevin – Kenya
Banana Island Ghost – BB Sasore- Nigeria
The Blessed Vost – Sefia Djama – Algeria
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Director
Jade Osiberu – Isoken
Michael Mathews- Five Fingers For Marseilles
Frank Rajah Arase – In My Country
Safia Djama- The Blessed Vost
Oluseyi Siwoku – Cross Roads
Shemu Joyah- Road to Sunshine
Darrell Roodt- Siembamba
Akin Omotosho- Hotel Called Memory
Peter Kofi Sedufia – Sidechic Gang
The Lost Café – Kenneth Gyang
AMAA 2018 Award for Best Film
Isoken – Nigeria
Five Fingers For Marseilles – South Africa
In My Country – Nigeria
The Blessed Vost- Algeria
Cross Roads – Nigeria
Road to Sunshine – Malawi
Siembamba – South Africa
Hotel Called Memory – Nigeria
Sidechic Gang – Ghana
Lost Café – Kenneth Gyang
Events
PHOTOS:Selena Gomez Stuns in Ralph Lauren Wedding Gown as She Marries Benny Blanco
Singer-actress Selena Gomez and music producer Benny Blanco were married on September 27, 2025, in a private outdoor ceremony in California, the couple announced via social media.
The nuptials were held at a secluded estate in Santa Barbara County, attended by a close circle of family and celebrity guests, including Taylor Swift, Martin Short, Steve Martin and Ed Sheeran.
Gomez wore a custom Ralph Lauren bridal gown, and Blanco was outfitted in a classic black tuxedo from the same designer.
Gomez and Blanco’s romantic relationship evolved from their long-standing professional collaboration: they first worked together in 2015 and went public with their romance in late 2023. Blanco proposed in December 2024.
In her social media announcement, Gomez shared a series of Polaroid-style images capturing moments from the ceremony, including an intimate embrace and the couple’s first dance. Blanco commented under the post, “My wife in real life.”
PHOTOS Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco




Entertainment
VIDEO: AYRA STARR & REMA SHUT DOWN GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL 2025
Lagos to the world! Last night, Global Citizen Festival turned into an Afrobeats takeover when Ayra Starr pulled the ultimate surprise bringing out Rema mid set.
The crowd LOST it as the duo lit up the stage with an electrifying performance of Rema’s mega-hit “Calm Down.”
Fans sang every lyric, phones shot up in the air, and social media went WILD, instantly crowning the pair as the night’s highlight.
Fashion? On point. Energy? Unmatched. Chemistry?
Ayra and Rema didn’t just perform… they OWNED the festival. X formerly Twitter and Instagram are already dubbing it the Afrobeats shut-down of the year.
One fan screamed: “This is history! Afrobeats is running the world now!!”
Another joked: “At this point, Global Citizen should just rename it Global Afrobeats Festival.”
No lies detected. With moments like these, Ayra Starr and Rema are proving they’re not just stars they’re GLOBAL icons.
Watch Videos
Africa
Senator Sadiq Umar Calls on Youths to Lead Africa’s Trade Revolution at 2025 JCI AMESA Summit
Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, representing Kwara North Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committees on Trade & Investment and Rules & Business, has urged young Africans to take the lead in driving the continent’s trade and investment future under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Africa and Middle East Senate Association (AMESA) Summit hosted by Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Abuja, Senator Umar commended JCI’s global role in raising leaders and promoting active citizenship.
He emphasized Africa’s demographic advantage, stating:
“With 1.4 billion people and 60% under the age of 25, Africa holds the key to the future of global trade and innovation.”
Referencing World Bank statistics, Umar highlighted that AfCFTA could lift 30 million Africans out of poverty and increase incomes by $450 billion by 2035, provided countries commit to cross-border collaboration, trade missions, and youth-driven entrepreneurship.
On Nigeria’s role, he described the nation as a “gateway for investment and innovation”, citing its 220 million population, dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, and recent policy reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He further noted that Nigeria’s fintech sector has attracted over $2 billion in foreign investment within the last five years.
The Senator urged African governments and businesses to prioritize agriculture, renewable energy, digital trade, and infrastructure, stressing that trade must be viewed beyond goods and services.
“Trade is not just about goods and services; it is about the movement of ideas, opportunities, and hope,” he declared.
Senator Umar closed by reaffirming the Nigerian Legislature’s commitment to policies that unlock Africa’s untapped potential, challenging young Africans to lead with integrity, innovation, and service.
THE JCI AMESA SUMMIT – WAZOBIA 2025
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Africa and Middle East Senate Association (AMESA) Summit 2025 officially opened in Abuja, bringing together leaders and changemakers from across the continent and beyond.
The four-day summit, themed “Rediscovering Africa’s Untapped Potential Through Regional Collaboration & Partnerships,” runs from September 18 to 21, 2025.
Organizers say AMESA 2025 promises to be a transformative event, serving as a platform for influential figures to drive progress, explore opportunities, and shape the future of Africa and the Middle East through united efforts and strategic cooperation.
Throughout the summit, participants will engage in dynamic discussions, exchange best practices, and build actionable frameworks aimed at fostering sustainable development, regional integration, and stronger partnerships.
By the end of the gathering, stakeholders are expected to outline a collaborative blueprint to unlock growth and innovation across Africa and the Middle East.
PHOTOS FROM THR OPENING CEREMONY
Events
Asake Announces “M$ney” African Tour Kicking Off This December
Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake has officially announced his highly anticipated “M$ney” African Tour, set to begin this December 2025.
So far, three cities have been confirmed: Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), and Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), with organizers teasing that more dates and destinations will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The “M$ney” tour marks Asake’s return to the African concert circuit after a string of international performances that solidified his status as one of Afrobeats’ fastest-rising global voices. Known for his energetic stage presence and chart-topping hits, fans are already buzzing in anticipation.
While the exact venues and ticket sales information have yet to be released, industry insiders suggest that the shows will feature a blend of Asake’s biggest records, live collaborations, and surprise guest appearances.

The tour announcement comes on the heels of Asake’s continued dominance on streaming platforms, with his unique fusion of Afro-fusion, amapiano, and street-inspired sounds resonating across continents.
Fans are advised to stay tuned to his official channels for full tour details, ticketing updates, and additional city announcements.
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Entertainment
VIDEO: Mohbad Fan Allegedly Storms Stage to Confront Naira Marley at Benin Republic Concert
Nigerian Afrobeats singer Naira Marley faced a tense moment during his concert in Benin Republic when an angry fan stormed the stage in what appeared to be an attempted attack.
Eyewitnesses said the fan, believed to be a supporter of the late singer Mohbad, rushed at Marley mid-performance before security quickly intervened. The incident briefly disrupted the show but Marley later returned to continue his set.
The intrusion has reignited public debate over Marley’s alleged involvement in Mohbad’s death in 2023. Although Marley was cleared in court of accusations linking him to the tragedy, the episode underscores lingering anger among some fans who remain unconvinced of his innocence.
Mohbad, a former signee of Marley’s Marlian Music label, died under controversial circumstances in September 2023. His death sparked nationwide protests and widespread accusations of abuse and intimidation within the industry.
Saturday’s concert clash highlights the ongoing tensions between Marley’s supporters and Mohbad’s loyal fan base, two years after the late singer’s passing.
However Naira Marly posted the video on his X handle clarifying that he was never attacked rather that the fan was aggressive.
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