The organisers of the Headies have announced that the awards will be leaving Nigeria again, unveiling Canada as the host of the 18th edition.

Recall that the awards first left Nigeria in 2022 for its 15th edition in Atlanta but returned to Lagos for the 17th edition in 2025.

Speaking on Monday during “The Big Announcement” event held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Headies founder, Ayo Animashaun, said the
decision to hold the 18th Headies in Toronto, Canada, was highly economical.

He explained that although the main ceremony will take place in Toronto, it will run simultaneously with a live watch party in Lagos, where Nigerian fans will participate in the celebration and witness portions of the awards presentation as the event unfolds abroad.

Animashaun said, “Someone said Ayo, you are taking the Headies out of the country again, he said it doesn’t make sense. Tell me what makes sense. Does it make sense for us not to do it anymore?

“So how do we fund it? We will have a watch Party in Lagos.”

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The family of Alexx Ekubo has announced funeral arrangements
for the late Nollywood actor.

The movie star died on May 11 after battling with stage 4 kidney cancer.

The family shared the details in a post on the actor’s official Instagram page on Monday. The post included the burial programme and a photo of the deceased

The post revealed that a service of songs will be held on June 10 at The Monarch Event Center in Lekki, Lagos.

It added that the wake will take place on June 17 at the family residence in Arochukwu, Abia state.

The funeral service and interment are scheduled for June 18 in Arochukwu, followed by a reception.

 

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A post shared by Alexx Ekubo (@alexxekubo)

“With profound sorrow, yet gratitude to God for a life so beautifully lived and deeply impactful, we officially announce the funeral arrangements of our beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and colleague, Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke,” the post reads.

“The overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers, messages, visits, calls, support, and strength shown to the family during this painful period has been truly humbling. Words cannot fully express our gratitude. Alexx was deeply loved, and your kindness continues to remind us that his light, compassion, faith, and impact on so many lives will never be forgotten.

“Alexx was deeply loved, and your kindness continues to remind us that his light, compassion, faith, and impact on so many lives will never be forgotten.

“We warmly invite family, friends, colleagues, fans, and well-wishers to join us as we honor and celebrate his beautiful life, enduring legacy, and the precious memories he gave us all.”

The family also urged the public to keep the actor’s wife and relatives in their prayers during the mourning period.

“Please continue to keep Alexx, his wife, and the entire family in your prayers during this difficult time,” it added.

Born in Port Harcourt on April 10, 1986, Ekubo began his acting career in 2003 with a role in ‘Sinners in the House’. He also featured in hundreds of Nollywood films.

In 2012, he won the ‘Most Promising Actor’ award at the Best of Nollywood Awards, followed by ‘Best Supporting Actor’ honours in 2013 and again in 2020.

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Toyosi Etim Effiong, wife of Nigerian actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim Effiong, has revealed that her marriage to the movie star influenced her decision to become a talent manager.

In her recent podcast outing, Mrs Etim Effiong explained that after she got married, she noticed that her husband’s career and Nollywood in general lack structures and legal frameworks.

She said banking on her experience as a show organiser in New York, she decided to introduce some of the structures in the American showbiz into Nollywood, starting with her husband as her first client.

She said after some months of managing her husband’s career, some of his colleagues who noticed the positive changes in his career also reached out to her to be their manager as well.

Etim Effiong said, “I am married to Daniel Etim Effiong -Nigeria’s finest filmmaker and actor. And earlier on in the marriage, I realised that there wasn’t a lot of structure in his career and the Nigerian movie industry generally.

“Producers just casually call actors and ask when they will be available for a shoot and when the actor is available, they start bargaining for the artiste’s fee over the phone like market women. It was very informal.

“Sometimes, you will clear your calendar for a shoot and the producer will call and tell you it has been cancelled at the last minute and give excuses. There was no structure or legal framework. The negotiations were also horrible.

“So, I became a self-appointed manager, which he was fine with. I started to support him, even with his social media and reading through his contracts. My support brought immediate results. And after some months, some of his friends approached me to manage them, too.”

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The Big Brother Naija, BBNaija, reality TV show is set to return for its 11th season as the organizers have announced the commencement of
auditions.

The announcement was made on Saturday via the show’s official social media pages.

The post reads: “It’s time! #BBNaija Season 11 auditions registration is here.

“Register from 16 – 20 May to qualify for the physical auditions. Limited slots. Registration portal closes at maximum capacity. Link to secure your spot: africamagic.tv/bigbrother.”

According to the organizers, interested participants are required to follow the steps below to participate in the audition.

“Go to africamagic.tv/bigbrother

“Fill in your personal details

“Choose your preferred date, location and time

“Date: MAY 22nd-24th | Location: Lagos, Abuja or Enugu

“Watch your inbox for a confirmation email

“Show up at your audition venue on your confirmed date!”

The post added: “Audition is free and open to persons 21 or older with a valid identity document.”

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Nigerian record producer and music executive Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has named alternative rock singer Johnny Drille as his best musician.

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The organisers of Big Brother Naija have hinted at the return of the reality television show for its 11th season, with auditions expected to begin soon.

In a post shared on its official X account on Tuesday, the organisers dropped a teaser message that read, “Biggie is calling. Are you ready to answer?” alongside a video announcement confirming that auditions will commence shortly.

The post also stated, “It’s back. Auditions coming soon!” sparking excitement among fans of the long-running reality show.

The announcement comes months after the conclusion of the show’s tenth season, which returned to screens on July 26, 2025, featuring 29 housemates competing for a grand prize of ₦150 million.

Season 10 introduced several format changes, including a revamped Head of House challenge, which now holds on Sunday nights, with winners retaining authority only until a follow-up challenger game on Monday. Housemates who finish last in the HOH challenge are automatically placed up for nomination.

The season also introduced new twists, such as the “Bag of Big Twists,” controlled by the Head of House, and a “red telephone” that rings at random times with instructions from Biggie. A new “Influential Player of the Week” feature was also added to the game structure.

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Lagos socialite and businessman, Emeka ‘E-Money’ Okonkwo, has confirmed he will honour his pledge of N50m to social media comedian, Carter Efe, following his unanimous decision victory over street artiste and ZaZoo crooner, Habeeb ‘Portable’ Badmus, at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event on Friday night at the Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

E-Money reaffirmed his commitment after Balmoral Group Promotions CEO, Ezekiel Adamu, put the question to him at the end of the night.

“You know we put our money where our mouth is, and so congratulations Carter on your win. N50 million for you,” E-Money said.

Adamu, on his part, said the event had delivered on all its promises.

“We promised Chaos in the Ring and we have delivered very entertaining fights tonight. There is more coming, thanks to everyone that made this a success and to the fighters for the great display,” he said.

In the co-main event, Godday Appah, was crowned the new WBO Africa cruiserweight champion after defeating Ezra Arenyeka by split decision.

The bout had been billed as a symbolic WBO Peace Fight between the Itsekiri and Ijaw communities of the Niger Delta.

The same night, Basit Adebayo claimed the WBO Africa title with a unanimous decision victory over former WABU champion, Loren Japhet.

Friday’s result was the culmination of a month-long verbal war between Efe and Portable, who had arrived at the event with considerable pedigree, having previously beaten Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington in celebrity exhibition bouts to win two belts.

The ZaZoo crooner made no secret of his intentions, telling Efe directly, “I will use you to collect my third belt. Charles Okocha was bigger than you, Speed Darlington was bigger than you and I beat them. I will beat you now.”

Efe was unmoved, warning his opponent that the night would end quickly for him.

“One punch and you fall,” he replied.

When the two finally met in the ring, however, it was the skit-maker who imposed himself from the opening bell.

Portable came out throwing his trademark wild, erratic punches but Efe, the taller man, responded calmly with uppercuts and sharp body shots.

Portable continued to swing wide and clinch across the second and third rounds, but Efe grew sharper as the fight wore on, landing consistently clean combinations that left little doubt about the outcome.

All three judges scored the bout 27-30, handing Efe a comfortable unanimous decision and the celebrity boxing crown.

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Afrobeats superstar Davido has emerged victorious at the 2026 Liberian Entertainment Awards, clinching the prestigious award for Best International Act ahead of music heavyweights Gunna, Rema, and Tyla.

The 33-year-old won the award over the weekend following the ceremony held at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC.

Davido’s latest win is another significant international recognition for his career.

Similarly, it further highlights the growing global influence of Afrobeats and the continued dominance of Nigerian artists on international award platforms.

The Liberian Entertainment Awards is a prominent award platform dedicated to honouring Liberian creativity, innovation, and excellence in music, film, fashion, sports, and community service.

The award was established in 2009 to recognise the contributions of Liberian entertainers both within the country and across the diaspora.

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