Category: Arts & Entertainment

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Two veteran Nollywood icons, Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo, have been honoured with the Nollywood Industry Merit Award at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held yesterday at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

According to the organisers, the recognition celebrates their decades of groundbreaking contributions to Nigerian cinema and their enduring influence as screen legends whose performances continue to inspire actors, producers, and audiences across Africa.

Sobowale, visibly emotional, expressed gratitude to God, her children, colleagues, and fans for sustaining her career. “I want to specially thank God Almighty for keeping me till this day to have this. I thank my children. Thank you to all my colleagues. I thank my fans because without you… Thank you all for making me still relevant. I love you all,” she said.

Kanayo, on the other hand, dedicated his award to film practitioners across Africa, recognising their roles in fostering unity and cultural pride on the continent.

Sobowale’s career highlights include King of Boys (2018), King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021), The Wedding Party (2016), The Wedding Party 2 (2017), Diamond Ring (1998), and the upcoming SLUTTER-HOUSE (written and produced by Uloko Ibe). These works cemented her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most versatile and powerful actresses.

Kanayo, affectionately known as “Nnanyi Sacrifice”, has featured in some of Nollywood’s most defining productions, including Living in Bondage (1992), Blood Money (1997), Billionaires Club (2003), October 1 (2014), and Lionheart (2018). His career reflects Nollywood’s evolution from early occult thrillers to globally acclaimed dramas.

The AMVCA 2026 ceremony reaffirmed their legacies, celebrating Sobowale and Kanayo not only as actors but as cultural ambassadors whose artistry continues to shape Nollywood’s global identity as one of the movie-making and entertainment capitals of the world.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist, Charly Boy, has offered reflections on the pursuit of greatness, urging individuals to focus on discipline, resilience, and personal growth rather than outward success.

Charly Boy, who is also the founder of the Our Mumu Don movement, in a motivational post on his X handle, said many people misunderstand greatness by focusing only on visible outcomes while ignoring the process required to achieve them.

He said most people only see the outcome and celebrate the spotlight, but remain oblivious of the enduring process that built it. Citing his personal journey, the entertainer said his success did not happen by chance but was driven by deliberate choices, a commitment to being different, and a willingness to endure criticism.

“By watching me over the years, one thing becomes clear — I didn’t become who I am by accident,” noting that it was a decision backed by commitment to being different, and a willingness to be misunderstood and a discipline to keep going when it wasn’t convenient.

He advised individuals still searching for direction in life to learn from the experiences of others, noting that inspiration can often be drawn from the journeys of those who have walked similar paths. “Sometimes, God uses someone else’s story to speak directly to you — not to intimidate you, not to make you feel behind,” he said.

Charly Boy stressed that moments of doubt or perceived delay should not be mistaken for failure, adding that such phases often represent preparation for future success. “You are not late. You are not lost. You are not wasting time. You are being prepared,” he said.

According to him, personal growth is often shaped quietly through pressure, consistency, and self-discovery, rather than public recognition. “Because when you understand the journey behind the man, you stop chasing results and start respecting the process,” he added.

Earlier, the entertainer criticised those he said are supporting poor governance, warning against actions that undermine collective progress and societal well-being.

“My People, Our Mumu suppose Do,” he added.

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr Psquare, has lauded the actors and producers of Michael, the new biographical drama about Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan.

Okoye revealed that earlier this week he hosted an exclusive screening of the film with family and friends, describing the King of Pop as a lifelong inspiration. “All I can say to my big brother and friend Jermaine Jackson is that your son @jaafarjackson absolutely nailed his role in this incredible movie! So so proud of him,” he said.

He urged fans worldwide to see Michael in cinemas this Friday, noting that the film captures Jackson’s artistry, struggles, and enduring legacy.

The movie stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, as the adult singer, with Juliano Krue Valdi portraying him in childhood. Colman Domingo plays Joseph Jackson, Nia Long appears as Katherine Jackson, and Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe. The story begins in Gary, Indiana, with the formation of the Jackson 5, and follows Michael through gruelling rehearsals, Motown success, and his solo triumphs with Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad.

The narrative highlights both Jackson’s brilliance and the darker aspects of his upbringing, including his father’s strict discipline. It underscores his relentless pursuit of perfection, creative ambition, and personal struggles.

Michael premiered in Berlin on 10 April 2026 and was released in the United States on 24 April 2026. Critics praised Jaafar Jackson’s performance, though some noted the film’s storytelling was sanitised, focusing more on his rise to stardom than on controversies.