Connect with us

Entertainment

Glitz, Glamour, Razzmatazz As Silverbird Crown Winners at 2024 MOTY Awards

Published

on

By Eric Elezuo

The Convention Centre of the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, was a beehive of activities when the who’s who as well as the crème de la crème of the society gathered to celebrate achievers as the foremost media outfit, Silverbird Group, pull all stops to host the 2024th edition of the Silverbird Man of the Year Award.

This year’s awards, like the ones before it, celebrated past achievers, who somehow have finished their work on planet earth, and have been translated to the great beyond.

The event, which lived to all its billing, kickstarted at 5pm with an runway-like and elaborate red carpet. The session was a ceremony on its own as celebrities, notable State officials, politicians, industrialists, entertainers of repute, entrepreneurs and more, took time out to showcase to mettle, intellectually and fashion-wise before clicking klieg lights.

Not a few of them, including Chairman, Air Peace, Allen Onyema, remarked that Silverbird has come of age, in branding and celebrating achievements of Nigerians, dead and alive.

With the red carpet show concluded, the glamour of the night shifted to the main hall of the Convention Centre where the duo of Patrick Doyle and Seun Davies were classic hosts, delivering mouthwatering performances that left dignitaries cheering throughout the duration of the brief fiesta.

In his speech at the event, the Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce, told the story of the humble beginning,  unhappily revealing the division among African countries while calling for unity and peaceful coexistence among Africans using Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina as a building block for the African continent.

On her part, Miss Chidinma told her own story, expressing gratitude to Nigerians and to as many that stood for her as she faced the crisis of origin in South Africa; a path that took her to Nigeria, and eventually to Mexico, where she was was crowned queen as runner up to the eventual winner.

With the individuals joyously mounting the podium to cart away their coveted prizes, the show dovetailed the major highlight of the evening; the award of the Silverbird 2024 Man of the Year, which was won by the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji.

An annual retreat of some sort, the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards, presents a platform, devoid of political discourse or presentation of government policies, but a stage where speeches of achievements and appreciation are entertained even as various awardees, who had excelled in their various fields, excitedly receive their rewards.

Another landmark signature of the event was the raffle draw competition, where 20 lucky winners, were given N500, 000 each to celebrate the 20th edition of the awards.

Among other winners, who joined His Excellency, Abiodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State, to shine on the night were the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his counterpart from Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah,who received the governors of the year awards.

In the same vein, the Minister of Works, who doubles as the former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. David Umahi, was recognized as Minister of the year just as the retinue of Prof. Tam David West, Chief Alex Akinyele, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, and Prof. Dora Akunyili were posthumously honoured. Their contributions to the development of the country in their various fields, cannot be overemphasized.

Other awards recipients on the night include prolific music producer, promoter, song writer and singer, Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, who received the extraordinary achievement award, and popular actor, who fits the tag, veteran, Richard Mofe Damijo, receiving the lifetime achievement award.

Other awardees were veteran actors Toyin Abraham and Chidi Mokeme, who were crowned with the trailblazer awards.

Others were Victory Wilson, and Habeeb Hamzat aka Peller, who won the Influencer of the year award in company of his content creating partner, Jarvis, whose real name is Elizabeth Amadou.

It was for all intent and purpose, a night to remember!

Photos: Koya Adegbite

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

South African Actress, Nomzamo Mbatha, Tells Success Story on Glo-Sponsored African Voices

Published

on

By

Delectable South African actress, Nomzamo Mbatha, will this week on Globacom-sponsored Cable News Network International’s African Voices Changemakers, reveal her trajectory from the Rainbow Nation to the global stage of make-belief.

In the 30-minute magazine programme, show anchor, Larry Madowo, will engage Mbatha on her soaring career which earned her a mention in the prestigious TIME100 Next in 2025.

The thespian who has been featured in two Hollywood productions has also gained acclaim in the beauty industry as she has signed endorsement deals with Neutrogena and Cream of Nature, both global brands in skincare and haircare, respectively.

Madowo and Mbatha sat for the exclusive interview on set of the final season of the hit television series, Shaka iLembe at the historic Cradle of Humankind outside Johannesburg where she highlighted the cultural significance of Shaka iLembe, and why giving back to her society is at the center of her aspirations as well as the legacy she desires to build beyond the glitz and glamour of the big screen.

This edition of African Voices Changemakers will be broadcast on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with additional broadcasts at noon same day. On Sunday, further repeats hold at 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and on Monday at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. The repeats continue on Tuesday at 5:45 p.m and Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m and Sunday, March15 at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m as well as Monday, March 16 at 3:00 a.m.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Tiwa Savage Launches Music Foundation in Lagos

Published

on

By

Nigerian Afrobeats star, Tiwa Savage, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at nurturing emerging African creatives, announcing the launch of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and a landmark partnership that will bring the prestigious Berklee College of Music to Lagos for the first time.

The 46-year-old singer announced on her social media platform on Wednesday, declaring, “After years of building globally… It’s time to build at home.”

She introduced Tiwa Savage Music Foundation as “a new initiative dedicated to empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship and world-class music education,” adding that, “For the first time ever, Berklee comes to Lagos with the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme empowering Africa’s next generation of talent.”

Berklee College of Music, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is the world’s largest independent college of contemporary music, renowned for its programmes in jazz, modern American music, and a broad range of genres including rock, hip hop, reggae and more.

In an interview with CNN, the “Ma Lo” singer explained that while Afrobeats has gained global prominence, the industry requires more structural support to remain sustainable.

“Afrobeats has captured the world’s attention, but attention alone is not enough to sustain an industry. Talent is universal — but access is not,” she said.

According to CNN, the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation is designed to bridge that access gap.

Beyond supporting vocalists and performers, the foundation will also focus on producers, composers, sound engineers and music business professionals — areas Savage considers critical to building a durable creative economy across Africa.

The foundation’s first major project, tagged Berklee in Nigeria: Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Programme, will see Berklee faculty travel to Lagos from April 23 to 26, 2026, to host a fully funded four-day training for 100 emerging Nigerian music creators.

The programme marks Berklee’s first-ever event in West Africa.

Savage underscored the impact of short, focused training, saying, “You’d be surprised how much you can learn in four days. It gives you a taste of what’s possible and exposes you to parts of music you may not even realise you’re drawn to.”

With the launch of the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation and the forthcoming intensive programme in Lagos, the award-winning singer is now seeking to extend that same opportunity to the next generation — shifting from building global acclaim to building sustainable structures at home.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Spider-Man Voice Actor Alexis Ortega Dies at 38

Published

on

By

Mexican voice actor of Spider-Man, Alexis Ortega, has died at 38, according to a report by World Dubbing News.

The platform said: “We regret to announce the sensitive passing of voice actor Alexis Ortega, we send our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in this difficult time.”

The cause of death was not disclosed at the time of the announcement.

Alexis Ortega was born in Mexico in 1987 and began his career in 2013 as an onscreen actor and voice performer. He later became widely known for dubbing Tom Holland’s roles in Spanish for several Marvel films, including Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War.

He also worked on multiple Disney projects, providing Spanish dubbing for films such as Big Hero 6 and Star Wars: Rogue One.

Following confirmation of Alexis Ortega’s death, fans took to social media to share tributes and memories of his work.

“Sad news. Way too young at 38. Rest in peace, Alexis,” user Ilman posted on X.

“Such sad news Alexis Ortega brought Spider-Man to life for so many fans. Rest in peace,” Rechardo wrote.

“It’s truly a loss when a talented voice brings so much life to a character we love. Alexis Ortega’s legacy will surely live on through his iconic performances,” Victor shared.

“Lives on for the rest of time with these movies for the world to know him,” Bunsan added.

Beyond voice work, Ortega appeared on screen in shows including Luis Miguel: The Series, Thursday’s Widows, El Candidato, and The House of Flowers. He also collaborated with Mr Beast, dubbing Spanish versions of the YouTuber’s videos.

Ortega’s final Instagram post, shared in November last year, showed him sitting on a couch with his dog at his home in Mexico City. He captioned the photo, ‘My doggo.’

Continue Reading

Trending