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Film Director Kayode Kasum Wins Trailblazer Award At 2025 AMVCA

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Acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker, Kayode Kasum, has been honoured with the prestigious Trailblazer Award at the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held in Lagos.

The award recognises rising stars in the film industry who have made exceptional contributions to African cinema.

Kasum, known for his innovation and creative storytelling, recently produced and directed REEL LOVE, a 2025 Nigerian romantic drama led by popular actor Timini Egbuson.

SEE ALSO: AMVCA 2025: ‘Lisabi’ Wins Best Art Direction Award

His growing list of credits includes some of the most celebrated and commercially successful films in Nollywood history, such as Sugar Rush, Quam’s Money, and This Lady Called Life.

A pioneer in Nigerian filmmaking, Kasum made history with Dognapped, Nigeria’s first live-action animated feature, released in 2017.

However, it was his 2018 film Oga Bolaji that earned him widespread recognition. Since then, he has built an impressive résumé, directing high-grossing films and hit television series like M-Net’s Unbroken and Riona, which together span over 10,860 minutes of screen time.

Born on February 2, 1992, in Lagos State, Kasum began his journey in filmmaking as a motion graphics designer at Wale Adenuga Productions.

He studied at Lagos State Model College, Kankon, Badagry, before pursuing higher education at Yaba College of Technology. His early career included a stint as a producer in advertising before transitioning fully into Nollywood.

Now ranked as the fourth highest-grossing film director in Nigeria, Kasum has consistently broken new ground in the industry. His foray into psychological horror with Ile Owo (House of Money) showcased his versatility as a director.

In 2023 alone, he was praised for his work on Something Like Gold, Afamefuna, and Far From.

Previously nominated for The Future Awards Africa Prize for Filmmaking in 2019, Kasum was also named one of Nollywood’s top film directors in 2020.

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Entertainment

Why Nigerians Think I’m Wicked — Patience Ozokwor Finally Reveals the Truth

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My Kids Begged Me Not To Remarry Says Patience Ozokwor

Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has opened up about the public perception that she is wicked in real life, explaining that the belief stems from the villainous roles she has played throughout her successful acting career.

Popularly known as “Mama G,” the 67-year-old actress said many Nigerians often struggle to separate her on-screen characters from her real personality.

SEE MORE: Patience Ozokwor Inspired Me To Stop Indecent Dressing – Mercy Johnson

Speaking during a recent video chat, Ozokwor stressed that the tough and controversial roles she portrays are meant to expose societal problems rather than define who she is as a person.

According to the veteran actress, she deliberately takes on challenging roles that reflect real-life issues, including family conflicts, oppression, and other social vices that many people prefer to ignore.

“I feel bold to expose the ills in society. Those things happen and nobody wants to expose them. I am exposing them,” she said.

Ozokwor noted that while she is often cast as a strict mother, troublesome mother-in-law, or other antagonistic characters, those roles are simply part of her profession as an actress.

The Nollywood icon emphasized that she is nothing like many of the characters she portrays on screen and urged fans to understand the difference between acting and reality.

“I am not like that, but I expose it. I am extremely proud of myself and Mama G lovers are proud of me,” she added.

The actress further explained that storytelling plays an important role in addressing societal issues and encouraging positive change.

She expressed satisfaction that many of her fans appreciate the deeper messages behind her performances rather than judging her based solely on the characters she plays.

Over the years, Patience Ozokwor has built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most respected actresses, earning praise for her powerful performances and ability to bring complex characters to life.

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Grammy-Winning Singer Talay Riley Stabbed to Death in London

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Grammy-winning Nigerian-British singer and songwriter Talay Riley has died after being stabbed in East London, a tragic incident that has prompted a murder investigation by British police.

Talay, whose real name was Mark Yinka Orabiyi, was reportedly attacked around 9 a.m. on Friday on Pankhurst Avenue in Silvertown, East London. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene but were unable to save the 35-year-old musician.

Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

READ MORE: Talay Riley

Confirming the heartbreaking news, Talay’s family released a statement expressing their grief and paying tribute to the late artiste.

“It is with overwhelming sadness that we confirm that Mark ‘Yinka’ Orabiyi professionally known as Talay Riley passed away yesterday morning,” the family said.

They described him as a Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling songwriter and artist whose humour, generosity and presence touched countless lives.

“We are deeply grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support that we have received through messages, calls and visits over the past hours,” the statement added.

Talay, the brother of renowned music producer Scribz Riley, built a successful career spanning more than a decade in the R&B music industry.

He secured a publishing deal with Global Publishing at the age of 18 before later signing with Jive/Sony Records after featuring on rapper Chipmunk’s 2009 single.

Reacting to the tragic loss, Scribz Riley shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, describing his late brother as a mentor, inspiration and a light to many.

“My heart is shattered! This doesn’t feel real. It feels like a bad dream. Just before he went to sleep we spoke about the future, staying positive and about everything we still had left to do. I never imagined that would be our last conversation,” he wrote.

He continued: “Yinka wasn’t just my brother. He was my mother’s son, a friend to many, a mentor, an inspiration, and a light in so many people’s lives. He had one of the purest hearts I’ve ever known. He loved deeply, gave freely, and touched countless people through his talent, kindness, and spirit.

“The outpouring of love already shows how many lives he impacted. You inspired so many people and your legacy will continue to live on through your music, your family, your friends, and everyone blessed enough to have known you.”

Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music industry, with notable artistes including Stormzy and Craig David among those mourning the late singer.
Police investigations into the fatal stabbing remain ongoing.

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Singer Niniola Announces Death of Husband

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Nigerian afro-house singer Niniola has announced the death of her husband, Michael Ndika, in a series of emotional posts shared on her Instagram story in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Grammy-nominated artiste disclosed the heartbreaking news with short but emotional messages accompanied by photos of herself and her husband.

SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Nollywood Star Alex Ekubo Reportedly Dies at 40 After Health Battle

“God took him,” she wrote in one of the posts.
In another post, the singer added, “My husband died,” before sharing a third message that read, “God took him. 13 years. 13 f***ing years.”

Until his death, Michael Ndika was the Chief Executive Officer of NaijaReview, a multimedia platform known for promoting afro-house and contemporary African music.

Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately made public, as the singer has largely kept her private life away from social media and public attention over the years.

Niniola, 39, rose to fame after emerging as one of the top contestants on Project Fame West Africa in 2013. Since then, she has built a successful music career and gained international recognition for her afro-house sound.

Her hit single “Maradona,” released in 2017, earned global acclaim and attracted recognition from international stars including DJ Snake, Drake, Timbaland, and Beyoncé.

Fans, colleagues, and well-wishers have since taken to social media to sympathise with the singer over the tragic loss.

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