Entertainment
Jega, Others Emerge Winners At Africa Youth Awards
Africa Youth Awards, the continent’s most coveted awards for young people have announced the winners of its 2016 awards, which engaged over 170 shortlisted nominees, and received voting participation from over 145 countries from across the world. Voted as the African Youths of the Year were Albert Kusi (Ghana) founder of LEC Foundation and Ilwad Elman, Somalia’s Social Activist and Director of Programs and Development at the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center. Albert Kusi is also the pioneer of Success Conference, West Africa’s biggest annual empowerment summit which has impacted thousands of young people and has transformed lives whiles Ilwad Elman doubles as the Director of Sister Somalia, Somalia’s first program for assistance of victims of gender-based violence which provides counseling, health and housing support for women in need.
2016’s winners hail from 11 countries and were determined by public votes, which were received from over 145 countries within 21 days.
Other notable winners are Souhila Ben Lachhab (Algeria) for musician of the year and Teacher Mampire (Uganda) for Discovery of the year. Mohammed Ibrahim Jega (Nigeria), CEO of Emerge Tech Africa was also voted as 2016 Entrepreneur of the year. Prince Akpah, cofounder and President of Africa youth awards declared the third edition of the awards as a great success and a true testament of the contributions of young Africans to the development of the Africa continent.
He also emphasized that the stories of these young Africans would inspire more young people as they gear up to take up various leadership positions in their individual pursuits of moving the African continent to the next level Below are the full list of the winners:
1. Llwad Elman, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center (Somalia) – African Youth of the year (female).
2. Albert Kusi-Lec Foundation (Ghana) – African Youth of the year (Male)
3. Mohammed Ibrahim Jega, Emerge Tech African (Nigeria) – Entrepreneur of the year.
4. Souhila Ben (Achhab (Algeria) – Musician of the year
5. Teacher Mpamire (Uganda) – Discovery of the year
6. Christopher Seagateng – Botswana Jobs for Graduates (Botswana) – Award for youth empowerment
7. Zixtech Organisation (Cameroon) – Social Enterprise of the year.
8. Manaseeh Azure Awun, Joy 99.7FM (Ghana)) – Journalist of the year.
9. Dr. Kofi Osei-Kusi, Osei-Kusi Foundation (Ghana) – Special Recognition Award.
10. Gaku Biriri (Kenya) – Social Enterpreneur of the year
11. City Tydes Limited – (Kenya) – startup of the year
12. Nana Diaby – Phiphi plus (Mali) – Media personality of the year
13. Olalekan Ayodele Sipasi, L’afrika Integrated Farms (Nigeria)0 – Award for Agriculture.
14. Nuhu Ibrahim Alabura, India Dental Association (Nigeria) – Health personality of the year.
15. Muhire Jean Claude – Young African Leaders Forum (Rwanda) – Leader of the year.
16. Adyne-Africa Diaspora Youth Network Europe – (Somalia) – Civil Society of the year.
17. Dirboga Bakoh (Irenee), Sukuvi (Togo) – Award for Education
18. Sylivia Kakvo, Kakyo Girls Initiative (Uganda) – Advocate of the year.
The awards celebration will be hosted during the Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa this year. The event will be in partnership with the African Youth Commission, Avance Media, Global Skills Exchange, My Naija Naira 88 creatives and Dream Ambassadors Foundation GH.
-Source Africa Youths Awards
The Tide Entertainment reports that International stars Busta Rhymes and Gunna topped the bill, while the festival showcased a powerhouse roster of African talent including Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Shenseea, Phyno, Fave, Juma Jux, Qing Madi, and Diamond Platnumz, among others.
The festival launched December 7 with an eye-catching opening ceremony featuring aerial ballet performers, establishing an elevated artistic vision for the weeks ahead. That first night brought Nigerian heavyweights Wande Coal, Young Jonn, Ice Prince, Darey, Fola, Shoday, and Jerry Shaffer to the stage.
The Federal Ministry of Art and Culture partnered with the festival, with Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa acknowledging Detty December Fest as a vital force in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She emphasized its impact on amplifying the country’s creative presence internationally and driving holiday tourism.
The 2025 edition raised the bar for live entertainment in Lagos, building on Detty December’s established reputation as a catalyst for tourism, entertainment, and economic growth during the year-end season.
The milestone was confirmed on Monday by FilmOne, the movie’s distributor, who announced that the film is now the fastest title in West Africa to cross ?1 billion. The achievement further cements Akindele’s dominance in the Nigerian film industry.
Since its release, Behind the Scenes has shattered multiple records. It posted the highest single-day box office gross ever on Boxing Day, earning an impressive ?129.5 million. It is also the highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, and remarkably, it marks Akindele’s third movie to cross the ?1 billion mark, a feat no other director has achieved.
The Tide Entertainment reports that with this latest success, Akindele has strengthened her position as Nollywood’s highest-grossing producer of all time, becoming the first filmmaker to deliver three billion-naira blockbusters within a single calendar year.
Reacting to the achievement, the actress and filmmaker expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and distributors, while also revealing the film’s growing international reach.
“Over the years, I’ve always valued my fans, because without God and you, I am nobody,” she wrote.“Thank you all for coming out to watch this movie and for supporting my brand through the years.Thank you to the distributors, my colleagues—especially those not in the movie who still came out to meet and greet my fans.Big love to the cast and crew. This is only the beginning; let’s take Behind the Scenes even further.”
She also disclosed that the film is currently screening in cinemas across two European countries and the United States, signaling its expanding global appeal.
Akindele’s box office dominance has been nothing short of historic. In 2023, Battle on Buka Street became Nollywood’s highest-grossing film with ?640 million. She raised the bar again in January 2024 when A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nigerian movie to hit ?1 billion. Later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa broke another record, grossing ?1.6 billion to become the highest-earning film in West African history.
Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has revealed his former bandmate Faze’s position in the long-running rift between him and their other ex-bandmate, Blackface.
The Tide Entertainment recalls that Blackface and 2Face have been involved in an on-and-off feud over the years, with the former repeatedly accusing the latter of intellectual property theft, allegations 2Face has consistently denied.
Addressing fans midway through his performance at the Made in Benue Festival in Makurdi recently, 2Face said Faze has maintained a neutral stance in the dispute between him and Blackface.
He stressed that the rift does not involve Faze in any way.
“You all know that Plantashun Boiz consisted of Blackface, 2Face and Faze. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, Blackface is not with us right now.
“However, no matter the beef wey me and Blackface get, nothing concern Faze inside. So, Faze is right here with me and we will represent Plantashun Boiz,” he said.
The rift between Blackface and 2Face began after Plantashun Boiz disbanded in the 2000s.
Following their split, Blackface blamed 2Face for the breakup and accused him of song theft.
The relationship between the duo has remained strained over the years despite several attempts at reconciliation, with peace efforts often short-lived.
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