Connect with us

Entertainment

AFRIMA Unveils Ahmed Sylla, Sophy Aiida, Pearl Thusi as Hosts For 8th Edition in Senegal

Published

on

With the clock ticking faster to the highly anticipated 8th edition of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) tagged ‘Teranga Edition’ scheduled to hold in Dakar, Senegal on 12-15 January 2023, Senegalese-French actor and Comedian, Ahmed Sylla; Cameroonian Actress and broadcaster, Sophy Aiida  and South African screen gem, model and presenter, Pearl Thusi have been unveiled as the hosts for the main awards ceremony on the 15 January,2023 at the 15,000 capacity Dakar Arena, Dakar, Senegal.

Sylla, of the A mes délires fame, is a leading actor and comedian in France and Snegal, with over a decade experience performing on global stages. In 2012, he achieved stardom in France with his eccentric solo pantomime and stand-up comedy performances. He has significant experience in film, having played in serials such as Alice Nevers, and blockbusters like Goal of the Dead. 

Joining Sylla on the big stage is Aiida who is a television personality, actress and presenter for over a decade. Her brilliance behind the microphones have taken her to great stages including the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa, the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and others. Aiida, who also hosted the All Africa Music Awards,AFRIMA in 2017, has distinguished herself within the broadcasting and film industry across Africa. Her exploits hosting a talk show dubbed, Life Talk, on the Canal+ channel, as well as the Cameroon Top Model reality show on Canal 2, have demonstrated her prowess as a golden voice chaperoning black entertainment programmes.

Climaxing the trio is the South African screen goddess Pearl Thusi of Netflix’s Queen Sono famewho brings to bare her experience hosting several MTV shows including Lip Sync Battle Africa, Behind The Story, among others.

Commenting on the development, AFRIMA’s Regional Manager for Northern Africa, Janatte Haddadi, noted that the trio were “a blend of wits, charisma and humour” to help boost the experience of the awards ceremony.

She said, “These are fantastic choices! They have a maturity that is needed for a global event like this, and they also have the humour, wits, and charisma needed to cater to all age brackets. The Teranga Edition is special, and it is why we have decided to specially curate the comperes to keep the magic alive at the show.”

As the whole world gears towards the 8th edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, which will be held from January 12 to 15, 2023, African music lovers are encouraged to keep voting intensively for their desired winners, using the voting portal live at www.afrima.org and take part in the events on social media platforms (IG/TikTok – @afrima.official ; Facebook – Afrimawards; Twitter – @afrimaofficial; LinkedIn – AFRIMA). The voting process that determines winners at AFRIMA is audited by a globally renowned auditing firm, Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC).

As announced at the conference, the delegates are expected to arrive on January 11,2023. The AFRIMA ceremony is scheduled to kick-start fully on Thursday January 12, 2023, with a Host Country Tour, School visit and gift presentation (as part of AFRIMA’s Corporate Social Responsibility), as well as a Welcome Soiree in the evening, in Dakar.

The 4-day event continues on Friday January 13, 2023, with the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) at the Grand Theatre, in Dakar. The AMBS is Africa’s largest gathering of creative professionals in the music industry and it features workshops and panel discussions on issues and opportunities within the African music industry.

The 8th AFRIMA will continue with high momentum at the  AFRIMA Music Village at the Grand Theatre, which will be a free-to-enter concert featuring live performances from the biggest music stars across the continent.

On the eve of the awards ceremony, on Saturday January 14, 2023, the events will begin with Main rehearsals, Media engagements and a Courtesy Visit to the President of Senegal. There will also be a live recording booth at the venue for musicians across all five regions of the continent, and in the diaspora, to explore for collaborative recordings.  The day’s activities will climax with a Nominees exclusive party.

Finally, the 8th AFRIMA will wrap up on Sunday January 15, 2023, at the 15-000 capacity Dakar Arena, in Dakar, with the live Awards ceremony broadcast by 104 TV Stations to over 84 countries around the world.

In partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA is the pinnacle of African music globally.

Entertainment

Three months after marriage crash, Bolanle Ninalowo steps out with actress Damilola Adegbite (VIDEO)

Published

on

By

Three months after announcing the end of his marriage to wife, Bunmi, actor Bolanale Ninalowo, has stepped out with actress Damilola Adegbite.

There were speculations weeks back that the pair were an item.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the actor confirmed the speculation by sharing a video of himself with Adegbite with the caption, “That hateful energy – too pricy! Love dont cost a thang #LovePeaceAndLightOnly. Maka 🦍 #BOLDAMEE ♥️.”

Adegbite was married to Ghanaian actor, Chris Attoh. The marriage, which produced a son, Brian, crashed in 2017.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0g42gVMFy_/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=2388f3cc-451b-488a-a754-5b8a50f9d8d7

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Sinatra’s Place, others to host maiden Computer Village Awards December 10

Published

on

By

Sinatra’s Place, a lifestyle and entertainment hub, is set to host the maiden edition of Computer Village Awards (CVA) on Sunday, December 10.

The award was conceived by the management of S&G Concept and MetroNews Nigeria, as a reward system for players in the popular Lagos Computer Village, located in Ikeja, Lagos. The event is billed to become an annual event.

According to the Publisher of Metronews, Otunba Femi Davies, “CVA is an idea that was conceived to recognize individuals and organisations who have distinguished themselves in the industry during the year in review.”

“In reality, Lagos Computer Village is the gadget and tech hub of Nigeria. An award like this has been a long time coming. It is highly needed to encourage growth and stimulate healthy competition.”

While speaking on the categories available, Davies revealed that for the first edition, there are 24 award categories. “This inaugural award is designed to honour 24 different individuals and businesses operating in different spheres of the market,” he explained.

On the awards model, he explained that the selection process involves a jury, and to maintain the integrity of the jury, it is made up of eminent journalists, bankers, customers, and other stakeholders within the industry.

The awards, according to the organisers, will also cover social accomplishments alongside tech and financial achievements.

On the bandstand is Nigerian multiple award-winning cross-over music star, SB, who’s ready to serenade his fans with original Afrocentric musical performance.

Partners on the initiative, aside from MetroNews and Abinibi Events Cottage, include Society Reporters, Sinatra’s Place, Coca-Cola, Henessey, House 9 Hotels, Avid Waters, among other corporate sponsors.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Just In: ICPC, police clears D’banj of N-Power fraud, rape

Published

on

By

Popular singer, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’banj, has been cleared of rape and N-power fraud allegations by the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, respectively.

In separate documents exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Friday, the police and the anti-graft agency gave the singer a clean slate in separate clearance reports upon completion of investigations with incontrovertible outcomes on the innocence of the singer.

In an affidavit deposed by Toheeb Lawal of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, before District Court of Abuja, wherein the reports of the NPF investigation, and clearance from the ICPC were exhibited and marked exhibits A and B, the legal practitioner averred that the police and the ICPC cleared the singer of rape and fraud allegations.

Society Reporters reports that in 2020, the singer was accused of rape and the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation into the allegation.

In a report dated November 14, 2023 with case number CR:3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/T.1/VOL 18/284, and signed by ACP YY Abubakar of the Special Enquiry Bureau at the Force Criminal Investigations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police said the matter was investigated but there was no evidence to substantiate the claim.

The report read in part, “The allegation was investigated.

The complainant, witnesses and suspects made their statement. Investigation was extended to the Glee Hotel Lagos, where the staff on duty on the date of the alleged incident, made their statement.

“The management and staff of the Glee Hotel averred that the first suspect was not seen in the hotel on the date of the alleged incident, neither was he given a spare key to gain access to any room in the hotel, where the complainant lodged, and they have only one key to each room, which completely debunked the allegation of the complainant. The management of the hotel also held that it had no record to show that complainant checked into the hotel as a guest on the alleged date and she did not at any time, raise alarm, complain or report any indecent, assault or rape.

“There is no medical report on the victim to ascertain that she was raped. 4There is no adduced facts and corroborative evidence to substantiate the allegation of rape against the suspect. Prima-facie offences of Indecent Assault, Rape and Intimidation is not made out.

“However, the complainant, through her counsel, Ojoge, Omileye & Partners, submitted a later dated 17th July, 2020, to the DIG Force CID, to voluntarily withdraw the petition and discontinue the investigation.”

Also, sometimes late 2022, the ICPC accused D’banj of diversion funds associated with the N-Power Programme of the Federal Government.

However, after its investigation, the ICPC said that D’banj was not guilty of any fraud allegation. In a response to an inquiry, the commission cleared D’banj of any infraction on the matter.

The clarification was dated November 29, 2023 with document number ICPC/OPS/SDD/SPT.LG/31/23.

“The commission investigated issues of fraud in the administration of the N-POWER Scheme where Mr Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo’s name came up. However, there was no prima-facie case of fraud against him.

“Kindly be advised that Mr Daniel Oladapo Oyebanjo is not under investigation with the Commission for any fraud-related offence,” the ICPC clearance partly read.

D’banj’s lawyer, in his deposition filed before the Chief District Court of the Federal Capital Territory at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, also averred that the singer was never a government official and never had any access to government funds and that the N-power campaign he supported was free and was never paid a penny by anyone or the government.

Continue Reading

Trending