May 23, (THEWILL) – The Eighth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) took place on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The successful event, was well attended by entertainers across Africa. Shade Wesley-Metibogun, who was there, gives a blow-by-blow account of what happened at the event:
About the award ceremony
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is an annual award organised by MultiChoice to recognise outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry in Africa. Lagos, Nigeria has always played host to the award ceremony since its inception in 2013. But, in 2019, the event was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It continued in 2020 after restrictions on movement and public gathering were relaxed.
A week-long event
For the first time since its debut eight years ago, this annual event lasted a whole week. It kicked off on Saturday May 7, 2022 with an opening gala night.  The fashion runway show took place the following day. It was followed by Young Film Makers Day on Monday, May 9, Digital Content Creators’ Day on Wednesday, May 10 and the Pan-African Food Festival and Cultural day on Thursday. Nominee’s Night held on Friday, May 13. The grand finale of the show was the award night, which held on Saturday, May 14.  An after-party followed the awards ceremony.
The Hosts
The hosts were Nigeria’s Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, also known as IK, and South Africa’s Bonang Dorothy Matheba. It was the eighth time that Ik hosted the AMVCA, but his female co-hosts are usually switched every year. One of the things that endeared him to the organisers of the event is his professional touch and sense of humour, which usually lights up the award ceremony. The trio of Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Uti Nwachukwu, Toke Makinwa and Sika Osei, were the red carpet hosts.
Odunlade Adekoya’s rudeness at the AMVCA
Odunlade Adekola, one of the most talented actors in the Yoruba movie genre, is so versatile when it comes to switching roles easily and keeping people glued to the screen. He has earned a lot of respect for this. But his behaviour at the award ceremony was totally uncalled for. He pointedly ignored two journalists who were trying to have a chat with him. In turn,  other journalists who noticed his rude attitude ignored him on the red carpet.
Adekola won an award for Best Male Supporting Actor in the movie, Jankariwo produced by Bukunmi Adesile. One of the sponsors of the show, OctaFX, a forex trading company, rewarded the actor with N2 million.
Will Smith Oscar slap was enacted at AMVCA
Actor, Deyemi Okanlawon and the host, IK, recreated the infamous Will Smith/Chris Rock Oscar slap. IK and Okanlawon, who was a nominee for the Best Actor in a Comedy recreated the moment Chris Rock kept talking about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald hair. This time, IK went on and on about how the actor had turned to a real estate agent as a result of the pandemic which got actors creating other streams of income. Okanlawon screamed “Keep my name out of your mouth,” and attempted to walk up the stage to accost IK. He was prevented from doing so by some bouncers who whisked him off before IK intervened for his release.
Tension still brewing between Funke Akindele-Bello and husband
Abdulrasheed Bello, also known as JJC Skillz, and his wife, Funke Akindele-Bello, were spotted together for the first time after trouble was said to have plagued their paradise. First, they arrived separately to the nominees’ party, which took place a day before the actual event. They exchanged banters with their colleagues. On the day of the award, they arrived separately but sat together. They were also together on stage to receive the award for the Best Actress in a Comedy for Akindele-Bello’s role in the movie, Omo Ghetto. The actress dedicated the award to her musician husband, JJC Skillz and her twin children.
The actress had accused her husband of unlawfully spending money without her consent. JJC Skillz had to travel to London to cool off. With the way Akindele-Bello dedicated the award to her husband and children, fans hope they will settle their differences soon.
Iyabo Ojo ends beef with Funke Akindele-Bello
The duo of Iyabo Ojo and Funke Akindele- Bello, who were not on speaking terms before the event, shared a warm hug at the award ceremony.  Fans of the actress were happy to witness the love between the two. Akindele-Bello had gone to receive an award on behalf of Biodun Balogun, the makeup artist who won the Best Makeup Artiste in Akindele-Bello’s movie Omo Ghetto.
Before then, tales of a rift had been trailing the two actresses. It started after it was speculated that Akindele-Bello paid Instagram critics to fault Toyin Abraham’s movie, The Ghost and the Tout.  Ojo started throwing shades at Akindele-Bello.  However, it is now in the past as Ojo celebrated her colleague after the award.  She revealed that hugging Akindele-Bello made her day and she congratulated her for her win.
Taiwo Ajayi Lycett’s surprise win
Seasoned Nollywood actress of International repute, Taiwo Ajayi Lycett, won the Industry Merit award.  The actress, who has paid her dues over the years, was surprised to be among the awardees at the event. While accepting her award plaque, the versatile actress stated “I’ve lived to carry this. This is a major surprise to me. I’ve been to many places but there is nowhere like home”.
About Ifu Ennada and Erica Nlwedim’s expensive dresses
Reality television stars, Iheme Faith Uloma, also known as Ifu Ennada and Erica Nlewedim made fashion statements at the AMVCA with their outfits.  Ennada’s dress, which was made by fashion stylist, Toyin Lawani, had several masks attached which made many wonder if her dress was actually for a red carpet event. Many criticized her for her choice of outfit. She later revealed that her entire look to the event cost over $100,000 which is an equivalent of almost N60 million.
Her revelation was greeted with criticism as she was labeled a liar. Nlewedim’s gorgeous dress was styled by Turkish designer, Patrycja Kujawa and she parted with $794,000 which is an equivalent of N329 million for the floor sweeping dress. Her appearance also sparked different reactions as many did not believe she parted with such a huge amount for the dress.
The biggest winners of the nightÂ
Several movie practitioners went home with award plaques for their creativity and hard work put into many years of acting. However, Stanley Ebuka Nzediegwu, also known as Stan Nze, Osas Ighodaro and Ramsey Nouah had the biggest win at the event.
Stan Nze won the Best Actor in Drama for his role in Rattlesnake: The Ahana Story. It was the first time he would be nominated for such an award and he won. Osas Ighodaro clinched two awards at the event, the Best Actress in a Drama for her exceptional performance in the movie Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story and she also won the Best Dressed Female at the ceremony with a cash prize of N500,000.
The actress, obviously surprised by the circumstances surrounding her movie role win, burst into tears as she dedicated her victory to God and her mother who was with her when she was working on the project, but unfortunately passed on before it was completed.  Ramsey Nouah won the Best Director for the movie Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story, while Ighodaro and Nzes’s win were for the same movie as well.
Well deserved award for Okey Ogunjiofor
Nollywood producer, Okey Ogunjiofor’s movie, Amina had several nominations at the AMVCA but won in four categories.  The Best Overall movie,  Best Art Director,  Best Costume Designer and Best Sound Editor.
His win is well deserved considering the controversies that trailed the movie after it was released in 2021. The movie was severely criticized for being filled with historical inaccuracies and mistakes. Naysayers alleged that it was below standard in terms of cinematography, cultural relevance and poor screenplay. Despite all the criticism, the producer smiled home with the satisfaction that his efforts were not wasted after all. Ogunjiofor’s victory came at a time that the actor tried to re-launch his career having taken a break from active movie production for a couple of years.
Toyin Lawani styled most celebrities for AMVCA
The AMVCA has become an avenue for Nigerian designers to showcase their creativity. And it has become almost like a tradition for Toyin Lawni to design and style the most number of people for the for the event. Toyin who is unarguably the best fashion designer the creative industry is blessed with, styled at least eight celebrities who graced the red carpet of the AMVCA.  The likes of Pretty Mike, Beverly Osu, Ifu Ennada, Oyebade Adebimpe also known as Mo Bimpe, Denrele Edun, James Brown, Samuel Perry also known as Broda Shaggi are some of the celebrities styled by the fashion guru.
The performances
Energetic singer, Yemi Alade opened the award ceremony with her vigorous and intense dance steps as she sang her hit song, Shekere. This was followed by a collaborative performance by the duo of Bisade Ologunde, also known as Lagbaja, and Divine Ikubor, better known as Rema, which was highly applauded.
Later Lagbaja thrilled the guests to his old school music, Konkobilo and Gra Gra.  Lagbaja’s performance excited guests who stood for minutes dancing to the rhyme of his music. The talented music act has obviously been missed by music lovers. He has not been visible in the Nigeria music scene for quite a while. He relocated abroad a few years ago and has not released any album since then.
One of the reasons Lagbaja was chosen to perform at the award event is because his kind of music aligns with the pop culture that the sponsors of the award show have been propagating. Also, 12 contestants of the Nigerian Idols thrilled guests to a delightful performance, that earned them huge applause from the audience.  Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, also known as Dbanj, wrapped up the award ceremony with his electrifying performance.
