Entertainment

Nollywood: ‘I Feel Honoured Beginning Another Phase Of My Career’ — Tiwa Savage

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

…Ready to release her debut movie, “Water and Garri”

Afro-pop queen Tiwa Savage has expressed excitement as she begins the next phase of her life as a movie actor, having announced the release date for her highly anticipated debut movie, “Water and Garri.’

According to her, the movie which has been in the making for two years is due to be released later this year. The songstress, who’s also the Executive Producer played the lead character in the movie that is directed by Meji Alabi.

Tiwa had earlier last year hinted about the filming of the movie, where she plays the role of a fashion designer with a budding career in the United States who returns to her home in Africa to confront the ‘guilt’ she left behind.

In an Instagram post, the mother of one revealed that the movie would be released via streaming giant Prime Video and shown in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.

“Guys, I’m so excited to announce that my first feature film “Water And Garri” will be released this year through @primevideo and shown in over 240 countries and territories worldwide!

“This has been over two years in the making and I must say this is probably one of the most adventurous, fulfilling things I’ve done.

“I feel blessed and honoured to not only be making my debut as a lead actor but to have also been the executive producer of this film,” the African Bad Gyal wrote on IG during the week.

Interestingly, the movie has the same title with Tiwa Savage’s second EP, which contains five tracks and was released in 2021.

RED ALSO: ‘God Help Me, I Feel So Sick’ – Tiwa Savage Cries Out

Starring other actors such as Jemima Osunde, Mike Afolarin, Andrew Bunting among others, “Water and Garri” is sure to open a new chapter in the life of the singer as an entertainer.

Less-privileged children in the society felt honoured recently when an Edo princess, Ebuwa Charles-Igiehon provided them with the rare opportunity to showcase their talents in singing, dancing and acting. The talent hunt is an initiative of Princess Ebuwa’s King Heart Advocacy for Women and Children Foundation.

The inaugural edition, tagged ‘Orphans Talent Plus’ and held on December 16 and 17th 2023, was one of a kind . It saw several less-privileged children from different orphanage homes showcase their untapped talents in singing, acting, dancing and fashion.

At the end of the two days event, held at the premises of Edo Film Academy, Benin City, 20 year-old Favour Okoro and Praise Lucky both of Tender heart orphanage and Charity home, emerged winners in the singing and dancing categories respectively while Abundance Abraham from Felicia Lily Orphanage home, won in the drama category. They all smiled home with cash prizes ranging from N50,000, N30,000 and N20,000 for first, second and third positions.
Speaking on the project, Princess Ebuwa said “Orphans Talent Plus” has been designed as a yearly programme where orphans would be given the rare opportunity to showcase their talents.

“It’s a talent hunt designed to showcase the talents that are inherent in orphans. We decided to give it a trial on December 16, 2023, and it was an event of class and discovery of raw talents,” Princess Ebuwa said.

Princess Ebuwa said she wants to use her foundation through entertainment to drive and bring attention to the plights of the less privileged as well as unfortunate women and children in our society. She argued that “several children held up in orphanages rarely have the opportunity to showcase whatever talent that they are born with. So, most times their talents die with them. This is what we want to reverse”.

The programme, which was organized in collaboration with Lancelot Imasuen’s Benin Film Academy was supported by Levan hotel GRA in Benin city, Lancelot Imasuen media network Ltd and Lahor Music Worldwide, who announced the signing and the sponsorship of the winner in the singing category.

Entertainment

Amy Winehouse’s Father Fues Her Friends For Auctioning Late Star’s Clothes

Published

13 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

The father of late British singer Amy Winehouse Tuesday defended his UK lawsuit against two of her friends after they sold some of her clothes at auction for around £730,000 ($970,000).

Mitch Winehouse told the High Court in London that Naomi Parry, the star’s former stylist, and her friend, Catriona Gourlay, did not have the right to sell dozens of items in auctions between November 2021 and May 2023.

Lawyer Henry Legge, acting for Winehouse, told the court on Monday, the first day of the trial, that the two women sold 150 objects which had belonged to Winehouse, including dresses which she wore on her last tour in June 2011.

The British singer-songwriter, who enjoyed meteoric global success, died a month later from alcohol poisoning, aged just 27.

Winehouse was a distinctive figure with her beehive hairdo, heavy black eye makeup, multiple tattoos and smoky voice.

She shot to international fame with her Grammy Award-winning 2006 album “Back to Black” which included the track “Rehab”, charting her battle with addiction.

According to court documents, Winehouse believed that any sums collected from the sales organised by Los Angeles-based Julien’s Auctions would be due to him.

The auctioneers had also been told that a third of the proceeds would be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation — a charity set up in the singer’s name working with young people to foster hope and self-reliance.

However, Winehouse’s team accused the women of failing to donate the share of proceeds to the foundation.

– ‘You’re wrong’ –

Ted Loveday, lawyer for Gourlay, said that most of the objects had been given or lent to the two women by the singer, even if there was no proof.

“If a 19-year-old gives a scarf or a pair of earrings to their friends, no one signs a contract,” he told the court on Monday, stressing the singer’s generosity.

Gourlay and Parry met Amy Winehouse in the early 2000s, before she shot to fame. Parry went on to create some of the singer’s most iconic looks — including the green bamboo dress worn on the June 2011 tour which sold at auction for $243, 200.

Beth Grossman, the lawyer for Parry, said the two “women are not thieves and they are not dishonest”.

She accused Winehouse of bringing the lawsuit against the women out of “petty jealousy”, which he strongly denied on Tuesday, saying “you’re wrong”.

Grossman also highlighted the financial differences between the multi-millionaire Mitch Winehouse and the two women who are “living pretty much hand to mouth”.

The hearing is set to last until Friday, with a judgement due at a later date.
(AFP)

Entertainment

FULL LIST: Shallipopi, Belove Olocha, Malumfoodie Win Big At TikTok Awards 2025

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

TikTok has announced the full list of winners for the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigerian stars Shallipopi, Belove Olocha and South Africa’s Malumfoodie taking home some of the biggest honours of the night.

The ceremony held on December 6 in Johannesburg and attracted top creators, performers and industry figures from across the continent. The theme for this year’s event was New Era, New Icons.

The show featured performances from Ciza, Lord Kez, Thuli P, DJ Fif Laa and Thabsie. South African entertainer Bontle Modiselle Moloi hosted the event while Keegan Gordon and Zayaan Noorani handled the red carpet. Influencer Mihlali Ndamase made a surprise appearance to present the Video of the Year award. Olympian Akani Simbine also presented the Sport Creator of the Year category.

Brands including NIVEA, inDrive, Coca-Cola, PEP and Dis-Chem supported the awards.

TikTok’s Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba, said the platform is recognising creators who are shaping global conversations.

She said, “Tonight’s ceremony was a gathering of the trailblazers who have redefined what it means to be a creator in Africa. From Sokoto to Nairobi, and Accra to Pretoria, we honoured the creators who turned 60-second clips into cultural movements. We are honoured to celebrate them as they amplify their voices and take their stories from Africa to the world.”

The ceremony will be rebroadcast on December 11 at 20:00 SAST on TikTok LIVE through the @tiktok.africa account.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Creator of the Year
Raja’atu Muhammed Ibrahim @diaryofanortherncook (Nigeria)

Storyteller of the Year
Brian Nwana @briannwana (Nigeria)
He said, “Every single creator is a storyteller. We all tell stories that help drive the local communities, our cities, and our countries, and when we do that we change the perception that the world has about us”.

Video of the Year
Fanuel John Masamaki @zerobrainer0 (Tanzania)
He said, “I am truly grateful to my fans and the love I have received from Tanzanians. Thank you so much . This win was for all of us.”

Rising Star of the Year
@tunero_animations (Kenya)
Runner up: Esther Francis @estherfrancisbackup (Nigeria)

Social Impact Creator of the Year
Dejoke Ogunbiyi @noositiwantiwa_ (Nigeria)
Runner up: Sinethemba Masinga @ufarm_julia (South Africa)

Food Creator of the Year
@malumfoodie (South Africa)
He said, “From my humble beginnings of Haamanskraal, to Soshanguve and to all of South Africa, now we are in Africa!”

Runner up: Abena Amoakoaa Sintim Aboagye @chefabbys (Ghana)

Sports Creator of the Year
John Maingi Mbugua @zozasportscast (Kenya)
He said, “Winning isn’t the finish line, it’s fuel for the next chapter. Every piece of content, every discussion, every moment captured was driven by passion, and receiving this recognition means that passion is resonating far beyond my expectations.”

Runner up: Victor Ademola @ademolavictortv (Nigeria)

Entertainment Creator of the Year
Belove Olocha @beloveolocha (Nigeria)
Runner up: Jabulani Macdonald @jabu_macdonald (South Africa)

Education Creator of the Year
Izzi Boye @izziboye (Nigeria)
Runner up: @michelle_expert (South Africa)

Artiste of the Year
Crown Uzama @theycallmeshallipopipp (Nigeria)
He said, “Thank you, TikTok, for supporting all upcoming artists and giving them a spotlight to shine.”

Entertainment

TikTok Temporarily Restricts Late Night Live Feature In Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2025

Editor

TikTok has restricted late-night LIVE access for Nigerian users, as the platform now blocks the feature during peak night hours.

The restriction started on Sunday at midnight when the app quietly shut down all LIVE activities across Nigeria, leaving accounts unable to host or even watch late night streams.

According to an in-app message sent to creators, TikTok wrote, “We’re temporarily limiting LIVE late at night in Nigeria as part of our investigation to ensure our platform remains safe and our community stays protected.”

Many affected users shared that their screens showed a “No Access” label between 11pm and 5am, confirming that the shutdown was nationwide and not a technical glitch.

Reports showed that only creators with at least 1,000 followers received the notice, since they are the only ones allowed to host LIVE sessions on the platform.

Several of them confirmed that all LIVE activities stopped throughout the night, and no one could even view broadcasts from other countries during the restriction.

TikTok users who earn money through LIVE gifting said their balances were not touched, easing fears of sudden financial loss.

By Monday morning, LIVE access returned, but the whole situation triggered long conversations on social media as Nigerians questioned why the company picked late night hours, which usually record the highest traffic for match streams, entertainment shows and interactive trends.

TikTok’s latest move came a few weeks after the platform released fresh safety figures for West Africa at its Safety Summit in Dakar, Senegal.

The company revealed that in the second quarter of 2025, it took action against 2,321,813 LIVE sessions and 1,040,356 creators worldwide for breaking LIVE monetisation rules.

It also disclosed that Nigeria alone recorded 49,512 banned LIVE sessions within the same period.

TikTok added that it removed 3,780,426 Nigerian videos between April and June 2025 for violating Community Guidelines, noting that 98.7 percent were deleted before anyone viewed them, while 91.9 percent were taken down within 24 hours.

TikTok LIVE remains a popular feature among young users because it allows real time broadcasting, comments and gifting, unlike pre-recorded videos.

To go LIVE, a creator generally needs at least 1,000 followers, must be above 16 years to stream and above 18 years to earn money.