Nigerian Idol season 9 got even hotter yesterday! The remaining contestants battled it out on stage with live performances.
Remember the judges’ tough call last week? Lammy and Japh Kenti were tied for the final spot in the Top 10. Well, Lammy pulled ahead and joined the other nine singers who advanced.
Now, the competition is heating up with the official Top 10! Jennifer Ugomu, David Garland, Chima,Mira Clear, Gracia, Stevie, Chioma, Lammy,Lady Ruth, and Maio all took the stage.
They sang a mix of everything, from Harry Styles’ “Falling” to powerful hits like “Never Enough” and “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.
The crowd went wild for their amazing vocals and stage presence! You can see all the performances yourself below. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite singer to keep them in the running!
1. Jennifer Ugomu
Jennifer absolutely stole the show! She belted out a powerful performance of Andra Day’s inspiring song “Rise Up,” a song that was nominated for a Grammy and is all about hope. Her vocals were incredible!
2. David Garland
David Garland turned up the heat with his performance. He took a surprising turn towards pop music and completely wowed the judges with his own powerful version of Harry Styles’ song “Falling.” It was an impressive and unexpected choice that left everyone speechless!
3. Chima
It was Chima’s night to shine! He took the stage and showed off his amazing vocal range with a soulful performance of Teddy Swims’ hit song “Lose Control.” This chart-topping song is a favourite online, and Chima absolutely nailed it!
4. Mira Clear
Mira Clear proved she’s a true songbird with her performance! She focused on every technical detail to deliver a powerful and controlled version of Sia’s inspirational song “Unstoppable.” It was a show-stopping performance that left everyone wanting more.
5. Gracia
Gracia brought down the house with her powerful vocals! She belted out an amazing cover of David Guetta and Sia’s hit song “Titanium,” a real dance floor banger from 2011. Her performance was energetic and unforgettable!
6. Stevie
Stevie delivered a beautiful performance! He showcased his smooth vocals, perfectly blending them with the gentle piano melody of “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman. It was a sweet and touching rendition of the song.
7. Chioma
Chioma stunned the audience with her breathtaking performance of “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. The song is a beautiful ballad, and Chioma wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable in her delivery. This raw emotion made her performance even more powerful and left everyone in awe.
8. Lammy
Everyone considers John Legend’s “All of Me” a must-have for any wedding playlist. It’s become a classic love song for couples everywhere.
On Nigerian Idols, Lammy delivered a show-stopping performance of the song, pouring his heart out with so much emotion that it captivated the audience.
9. Lady Ruth
Lady Ruth took on a huge challenge with her performance! She tackled Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love,” a song known for its high notes, powerful runs, and unique vocals.
Lady Ruth showed off her amazing technique as she hit all the right notes, from the high belts to the breathy whispers. It was a show-stopping performance!
10. Maio
Maio’s song choice was a bit different! He performed “Ojuelegba” by Wizkid. It’s a chill summer vibe kind of song, and Maio knew it was all about capturing the smooth, warm tone of the original.
He focused on staying perfectly on key and delivering a relaxed performance that had the audience swaying along. Even though there weren’t any high notes to hit, it was still a successful and memorable performance!
The 2024 AFRIFF celebrated exceptional African cinema through a vibrant week-long showcase of talent, creativity, and storytelling excellence.
Filmmakers, actors, and cinema enthusiasts gathered from across the continent to participate in screenings, masterclasses, and engaging panel discussions at the 2024 AFRIFF.
This 13th edition of AFRIFF demonstrated unprecedented diversity in African storytelling, featuring compelling narratives that captivated audiences through multiple genres and languages.
In the 2024 AFRIFF, carefully curated selections sparked meaningful conversations about contemporary African experiences while highlighting the continent’s rich cultural heritage.
Also, at the 2024 AFRIFF Globe Awards ceremony, outstanding films earned recognition for their artistic merit, technical excellence, and powerful storytelling.
These winning productions represented various African perspectives, from intimate personal narratives to broader social commentaries.
Let’s explore the complete list of winners who made their mark at this prestigious celebration of African cinema.
Jury Awards
Jury Prize: Freedom Way | Directed by Afolabi Olalekan | Nigeria
Jury Special Mention: Memories of Love Returned | Directed by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine | Uganda
Feature Prizes
Best Feature Film: Phoenix Fury | Directed by Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo | Ghana, Nigeria
Best International Film: Calladita (The Quiet Maid) | Directed by Miguel Faus | Spain
Best Director: Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo for Phoenix Fury
Special Mention: A Ghetto Love Story | Directed by Daniel Oriahi | Nigeria
Best Male Performance: Alexander Hakim in The Dog
Best Female Performance: Uzoamaka Onuoha in Agemo
Best Screenplay: Bode Asiyanbi for The Man Died
Documentary Prizes
Best Documentary: Mother City | Directed by Miki Redelinghuys | Brazil, South Africa
Best International Documentary: Memories of Love Returned | Directed by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Special Mention: Dan Bature Kudawa | Directed by Charles Solomon | Nigeria
Best Documentary Short: From God to Man | Directed by Lansana Mansaray | Sierra Leone
Short Film Prizes
Best Animation: Hadu | Directed by Damilola Solesi | Nigeria
Special Mention: Leon and the Professor | Directed by Chekwube Okonkwo | Nigeria
Best Short: Adunni | Directed by Tola Falonipe | Nigeria
Best International Short: Cookie Box | Directed by Adam Żurawiecki | Ghana, Malta
Best Student Short: Last Minute | Directed by Nicole E. Emechebe | Nigeria
Special Mention: Flawed Cupid | Directed by Emerald Obahiagbon, Feyisayo Rotimi | Nigeria
Osunde did not take her comment lightly. She retorted, saying, “We’re tired of seeing your face too in your office. Damn! I hope they sack you.”
Enioluwa then took to X to address the notion of Nollywood using familiar faces in films. He stressed that it happens because of finances.
He wrote,
“People often say they’re tired of seeing the same faces in Nigerian films. However, unlike in Hollywood, actors in Nigeria can’t afford to do just one film a year—how much are they paying? The industry currently can’t support as many newcomers as people might expect because, realistically, many of them wouldn’t be able to meet even their basic needs. No one wants to be famous and financially unstable.”
In response, another X user asked him for practical solutions, urging him to suggest actionable steps rather than just highlighting the problems. “You made a crucial point there but you didn’t suggest any solution,” he commented.
Enioluwa then explained,
We don’t have the buying power yet; it’s growing because streaming platforms have come in and people have made more records in the box office. Nevertheless, you can’t equate it to Hollywood, an Avengers that made over $2 billion that can pay its actors millions of dollars and still have enough profit.
People often say they’re tired of seeing the same faces in Nigerian films.
However, unlike in Hollywood, actors in Nigeria can’t afford to do just one film a year— how much are they paying.
The industry currently can’t support as many newcomers as people might expect because,…
Nollywood filmmaker John Njamah recently voiced his concern about the prevailing casting practices in the industry. He argued that casting decisions should prioritize an actor’s talent over their physical appearance or social media popularity.
In an exclusive interview, Njamah, a Nollywood veteran, gave insightful commentary on the current state and future trajectory of Nigerian cinema.
Known for his role as Rabiu in the popular TV soap opera “Fuji House of Commotion,” Njamah has also graced the screens of numerous television shows.
Interestingly, the shows he has featured in include “Tinsel,” “Living In Lagos,” “Solitaire,” “Casino,” “Emerald,” “Tide,” and “My Flatmates.”
During the interview, Njamah talked about his filmmaking journey. He emphasized his unwavering passion for the industry and his aspirations for its continued development.
“What is fuelling me is beyond passion. There’s that knack and need to grow with every month, whatever year. There’s that need to.do something different. This industry of ours is for you to do whatever you want to do and not join the bandwagon. So for me, it’s the originality in me and the need to do something right that is fuelling me Basically, it’s the ever-creative venture in me,” he said.
Njamah discussed how African stories are evolving. Furthermore, he emphasized that positive and negative changes have happened over the years.
“There’s a positive aspect and there’s a negative aspect. There’s a technical input. We’re telling our stories better technically. We’re telling better and bigger stories. The negative is that we are beginning to lose our originality. We are beginning to join the bandwagon to tell what is peculiar to other people and not to us. We are beginning to lose a bit of our identity cos there’s no longer us,” he said.
What’s more, Njamah spoke about casting in the industry. He pointed out differences between the industry during his time and the current climate, especially with casting.
“Fuji House was a one-camera shoot with hungry and passionate people. Now we have people who cast people who are beautiful and with Barbie bodies and followership and not necessarily for your talents. Some of us try to be that original because that’s where better stories are told. You want to tell stories with passionate people. Whether you like it or not, it’s a long shot but it’s possible. You want to give the actors that are worthy of the job and not the ones that are based on Instagram followers. We borrow from society and give back to society by way of entertainment and pedagogical values.”
Further, he criticized the lack of professional work ethic among filmmakers in Nollywood. He highlighted the absence of a robust system to evaluate the performance and accountability of producers within the industry.
“Professionalism is lacking. Respect for those in charge, humility and the like is lacking today. The industry lacks checks and balances. Every Tom, Dck and Harry can wake up and call themselves a producer and just get on board and be doing stuff without being checked and of course, the guild system is not working so they can’t check. There are no criteria for who should become a producer. The system is also not working. Let’s just be mindful as producers, directors and actors,” he added.
In conclusion, John Njamah acknowledged the unique character of Nollywood. Meanwhile, he proposed the creation of a domestic platform to market and distribute Nigerian films. Consequently, this would reduce reliance on foreign streaming services.
“That thing that they don’t like about us is what makes us, us. I am tired of people saying they don’t want to come into the country for coproduction cos we’re that and that and why are we relying on the likes of the streamers? Why can’t we do something that is for us by us so that they will come to us and ask for these things? We are solely depending on them to licence our movies, for survival. Speaking of coproduction, if you tell me you don’t want to come into the country for any reason, I’ll tell you you’re wrong, cos there are amazing producers here that you’ve seen their work. All you need to do is come to them and agree on modalities.”
