Entertainment
Nominees For 2023 AMAA Awards Revealed [Full List]
On Thursday, The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) organizers officially revealed the nominees for the 19th edition of this prestigious continental film event.
The upcoming 2023 AMAA Awards will encompass a total of 26 categories, among them the highly anticipated Best Nigerian Film category.
Notable contenders in this category include “Gangs of Lagos,” “Brotherhood,” “Anikulapo,” “Mami Wata,” “4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four),” “L.I.F.E,” and “The Trade.”
See the full list below:
Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film
• Lions – Ethiopia
• Riel – Namibia
• Enmity Djin – Mauritania
Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation
• Lost – Uganda
• Azania Rises – South Africa • Jabari – Ghana
• Bashorum Gaa – Nigeria
Best Documentary
• Africa Cradle of Humanity and Modern CivilizaHon – Senegal/Canada
• Nightlife in Lasgidi – Nigeria
• Maayo Wonaa Keerol – The River is not a Border –
Senegal
• Ifine (Beauty) – Sierra Leone
• LeSpectre de Boko Haram – Cameron
Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language
• Pusha Pressa Phanda – South Africa •
• Anikulapo – Nigeria
• The Kitera Chronicle – Uganda
• Four Walls – South Africa
• Mami Wata – Nigeria
Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an African-Born Director Living Abroad
• Talia’s Journey – Christophe Rolin (Senegal/Belgium)
• Golden Stripes – Peace Osigbe (Nigeria/UK)
• KOFA – Jude Idada (Nigeria/Canada)
Best Diaspora Short Film
• We Were Meant To – (United States) – directed by Tari Wariebi
• The Ballad of Olive Morris – (United Kingdom) – directed by Alex Kayode-Kay
• Fifty-Four Days – (United Kingdom) – directed by Cat White and Phoebe Torrance
• Raw Materials – (Jamaica – directed by Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly
Best Diaspora Documentary
• Sound of the Police – (United States) – directed by Stanley Nelson
• Fantastico Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet – (United States) – directed by
• Yvan Iturriaga and Francisco Nuñez
• Black Rio – (Brazil) directed by Fernando Sousa and
Gabriel Barbosa
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature
• Chee$e – (Trinidad & Tobago) directed by Damian Marcano
• Our Father, The Devil – (United States) directed by Ellie Foumbi
• The Pastor and the Revolutionary – (Brazil) directed by José Eduardo Belmonte
Best Achievement in Production Design
• Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Eve Martin – Omen – DRC
• Sira – Burkina Faso
• Antoine Nshimiyimana – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Chantel Carter – Gereza – South Africa
Best Achievement in Costume Design
• Bunmi Demilola Fashina – Mami Wata – Nigeria •
Toyin Bifrain Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Millicent Jack – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Djibril Drame – Xalé – Senegal
• Elkehoste and Baloji Omen – DRC
• Sidi Ouedraogo Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Achievement in Make-Up
• Campell Precious Arebamen – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Hakeem Effect – Anikulapo
– Nigeria
• Lila Vander Elst – Omen – DRC
• Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Omowunmi Okungbure – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Soundtrack
• Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• L’Axe Lourd (The Highway) – Cameroon
• Gereza – South Africa
• Omen – DRC
• Obinna Arua – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
• Andrej Gregori, Voranc Kumar, Ziga Radulji -Omen – DRC
• Alexandre Dachkevitch – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Josh Borrill – The Trade – Nigeria
• Emmanuel Bassey – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Sound
• Juliana Oswald – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Vianney Aube Sira – Burkina Faso
• Erik Griekspoor – Omen – DRC
• Samy Bardet – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Michel Tsagli – Xalé – Senegal
Best Achievement in Cinematography
• Lilis Soares – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Joachim Philippe – Omen – DRC
• Richard Henkels – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Thomas Wilski – Talia’s Journey – Senegal/Belgium
• Eduardo Kropotkine – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Best Achievement in Editing
• Nathan Delannoy – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Bertrand Conard – Omen – DRC
• Sylvie Gadner – Sira – Burkina Faso
• Layla Swart – Gereza
• Madhew Leutwyler – DRC
Best Achievement in Screenplay
• C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Ufuoma MeHHri – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) –
Nigeria
• Moussa Sene Absa, Pierre Magny, Ben Diogay Beye – Xalé – Senegal
• Madhew Leutwyler – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award
for Best Nigerian Film
• Mami Wata
• Anikulapo
• 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
• Gangs of Lagos
• The Trade
• L.I.F.E.
• Brotherhood
Best Young/Promising Actor
• Maleek Sanni – Gangs of Lagos
• Jennifer Ewube -L’axe Lourd (The Highway)
• Darisimi Nadi – Obara’m
• Sanou Titiama – Le chant des fusils (The Song of the Rifle)
• Eyiyemi Afolyan – Anikulapo
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Francis Onwuchei – The Trade – Nigeria
• Jeff Jackson – Four Walls – South Africa
• Hakeem Kae-Kazim – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Jimmy-Jean Louis -Rise
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Rokhaya Niang – Xalé – Senegal
• Clarck Natmbwe – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Richard Mofe Demalo – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Marc Zinga – Omen – DRC
• Fenando Kamugisha – The Fallen Advocate –Uganda
• Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood – Nigeria
• Justine Murichii – Shimoni – Kenya
• Mike Danon – Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Actress in a Leading Role
• Lucie Debay – Omen – DRC
• Ehle Mbali Mlotshwa – Four Walls – South Africa
• Nafissatou Cissé – Sira – Burkina Faso
• Adesua Etomi – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
• Nse Ikpe Etim – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Ama Qamata – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
First Debut Feature by a Director
• Baloji – Omen – DRC
• Ery Claver – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Jean Elliot Ilboudo (le Chant des fusils)The Song of the Riffle – Burkina Faso
Best Director
• Moussa Sene Absa – Xalé
• C. J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata
• Baloji – Omen
• Apolline Traore – Sira
• Izu Ojukwu – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
• Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
• Kgosana Monchusi, Menzi Mzimela, Juvaiś Dunn – Four Walls
Best Film
• Xalé- Senegal
• Mami Wata – Nigeria
• 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) Nigeria
• Omen – DRC
• Four Walls – South Africa
• Sira – Burkina Faso
• Anikulapo – Nigeria
Controversial street-hop singer, Okikiola Badmus, better known by his stage name Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the bail terms set by an Upper Area Court.
The singer was arraigned on Monday following allegations of defamation filed against him by veteran Fuji star, Akorede Saheed, popularly known as Saheed Osupa.
Although the court approved bail for Portable in the sum of N1 million, the conditions attached proved difficult for the singer to meet immediately.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Grants Singer Portable ₦1m Bail Over Criminal Charges
The court stipulated that he must produce two sureties in like sum — one of whom must be “either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria,” while the second must be “a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.”
More to follow……….
Entertainment
‘Nigeria Jaga Jaga’ Will Remain Unofficial National Anthem Until Change Happens – Eedris Abdulkareem
Renowned Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has boldly asserted that his 2001 protest anthem Nigeria Jaga Jaga will continue to serve as Nigeria’s unofficial second national anthem, insisting it will remain so until the country addresses the systemic issues it critiques.
Abdulkareem, famed for his fearless criticism of corruption and social injustices, made these remarks in a recent interview with Channels TV.
The song, which has seen a resurgence in popularity on platforms like TikTok, was groundbreaking for its uncompromising portrayal of Nigeria’s governmental failures, rampant corruption, and decaying infrastructure.
READ MORE: Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem Drops New Single ‘THANK YOU‘
Abdulkareem declared, “Nigeria Jaga Jaga will continue to be the second national anthem, whether anybody likes it or not. But I always pray to wake up one day and find the song is no longer relevant. That would make me very happy.”
Released nearly a quarter of a century ago, Nigeria Jaga Jaga caused a national stir with its sharp criticism of the nation’s political and economic decay.
Even though the song faced government bans and significant backlash at the time, it has stood the test of time, resonating with generations of Nigerians who continue to grapple with the same issues.
Abdulkareem expressed regret that the song’s message remains as relevant today as it was when it was first released: “Until we see real development—constant electricity, security, and good leadership—Nigeria Jaga Jaga will remain relevant. Sadly, 24 years later, the message of the song is still our reality.”
Aside from revisiting his iconic hit, Abdulkareem also addressed the controversy surrounding his latest track, Tell Your Papa. The song, which was recently banned by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and marked “Not to be Broadcast” (NTB), has ignited a fresh debate on the state of censorship and freedom of expression in Nigerian music.
Many believe that Tell Your Papa is a direct rebuttal to a viral video in which Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, passionately defended his father’s administration.
Abdulkareem explained his motivation behind the song, revealing, “I was inspired by Seyi Tinubu. In the video, he kept repeating, ‘My father is the greatest president.’ But I differ. He may be the best father to Seyi, but he’s the worst president to Nigerians.”
The rapper went on to criticize the current administration for its failure to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity, and widespread youth unemployment.
Abdulkareem contrasted the privileged life of Seyi Tinubu with the struggles faced by everyday Nigerians, saying, “I told him to travel by road without security and feel the pain of the people.
Nigerian youths are asking for basic things—electricity, security, job opportunities—not palliatives.”
Despite the ban, Abdulkareem maintained that his song was not an insult but a truthful commentary on the country’s leadership.
“If you listen carefully, there’s nowhere in the song that I insult him. I just stated the truth. He spoke publicly, so I responded publicly. If he had remained silent, I wouldn’t have recorded the song,” Abdulkareem clarified.
Drawing comparisons to the legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, Abdulkareem emphasized that his criticism comes from a deep love for Nigeria.
“I’m a passionate Nigerian. I love this country deeply. But truth is bitter, and those in power don’t like hearing it,” he said. “I want a better Nigeria, and I’ll keep speaking out until we see real change.”
An Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has granted bail to controversial Nigerian singer, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, in the sum of ₦1 million.
Portable was arraigned before the court on Sunday on charges bordering on criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.
Ruling on his bail application, the court ordered that the singer must produce two sureties in like sum.
READ ALSO: I Want To Fight Anthony Joshua – Portable
One of the sureties is required to be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must own a landed property within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) and present a valid Certificate of Occupancy as proof.
The court has adjourned the case, with further proceedings expected to continue in the coming days.
Details later…
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