VETERAN Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, former Big Brother Naija (BBN) housemate Tobi Bakre and Osas Ighodaro were among the big winners at the grand finale of the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) on Saturday night.

The 9th Edition of the AMVCA held at Eko Conventional Center on Saturday, May 20, with media personality, Ik Osakioduwa, and Miss Universe 2021, Zozibini Tunzi, as the hosts.

Actors and actresses from across Africa, including other top celebrities and influencers, gathered for a dazzling night to celebrate the vibrant African entertainment industry at the highly anticipated awards ceremony.

The awards celebrate Africa’s dynamic entertainment industry with its wide array of captivating movies, gripping series, thought-provoking documentaries, and attention-grabbing social media content, featuring talented individuals from West, East and Southern Africa.

Ozokwor, widely known as Mama G, was recognised for her roles in various movies in the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, and honoured with the Industry Merit Award.

The actress expressed appreciation to God and her fans for the award.

“Thank you Jesus, I can’t thank you enough. I appreciate you. You can’t even stop loving me. I will die for your love, nothing matters to me anymore, the hate or those who don’t appreciate me. MNET, thank you for giving me this,” she said.

Similarly, reality TV star and actor, Bakre bagged the award of the Best Actor in a Drama, Movie or TV Series making him the ‘Actor of the Year’ at The AMVCA.

Bakre won the award for his role in the series ‘Brotherhood’.

He showed his excitement and expressed gratitude to his fans and supporters in a tweet.

“Thank you. Family! Tobination! All of the BBN families. All my friends and supporters out there. We did it!!!! Zu! Esther! Priceless to give special mention and many many more! We did it! Thank you!!!! Rico! This one is for you my Amigoooooo👊🏾”, he tweeted.

Ighodaro was another big winner on the night, emerging the Best Actress In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series with her performance in the movie ‘Man of God’. The award made her Actor of the Year.

Enioluwa Adeoluwa and Beauty Tukura won best dressed awards in the male and female categories, respectively.

The Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola, had stated that this year’s edition of the AMVCAs is focused on raising the bar when it comes to recognising and rewarding talents in the various aspects of the African film and television industry.

This year’s AMVCA was a three-day event with an enchanting ambiance of opulence and splendor, with renowned Nigerian actors, actresses and other A-list celebrities making appearances in adorning exquisite outfits.

The award show commenced on Thursday, May 18 with a cultural night showcasing African culture, to honour the diverse and vibrant African heritage. Thereafter, a fashion and runway show was staged on Friday and finally the award night in Saturday.

The award night honoured the exceptional achievements of African actors, actresses, directors and other movie producers whilst celebrating Africa Magic’s 20 years of showcasing African culture to the world.

Full list of winners at AMVCA 9

Best Costume Designer Movie/TV Series – The Real Housewives of Lagos Reunion Episode – Adeola Art-Alade

Best Makeup Artist Movie Or TV Series – Shanty Town – Maryam Ndukwe & Hakeem Effects Onilogbo

Best Soundtrack In Movie Or TV Series – Anikulapo – Kent Edunjobi (first time and first win)

Best Cinematographer- Brotherhood – Loukman Ali

Best Art Director (Movie Or TV Series) – King Of Thieves (Agesinkole) – Wale Adeleke

Best Indigenous Language Movie Or TV Series: Swahili- Click Click Bang – Philip Karanja Njenga

Best Indigenous Language Movie Or TV Series: Hausa – Aisha – Abubakar Bashir Maishadda

Best Indigenous Language Movie Or TV Series: Yoruba – Anikulapo – Kunle Afolayan

Best Indigenous Language Movie Or TV Series: Igbo – Uhuruchi – Victor Iyke

Best Short Film Or Online Video- Adeoye Adetunji – Pa Aromire (First nomination and win)

Best Online Social Content Creator powered by Zagg – Back From the Future – Elozonam & Kiekie

Best Television Series powered by  Verve – Crime & Justice Lagos – Yinka Edward

Best Documentary powered by 2sure – Baby Blues – Nora Awolowo

Best Writer In Movie Or TV Series- Anikulapo – Sola Dada

Best Lighting Designer In Movie Or TV Series – Brotherhood – Mathew Yusuf

Best Picture Editor In Movie Or TV Series – Crime & Justice – Holmes Awa & Daniel Tom

Best Sound Editor In Movie Or TV Series – Anikulapo – Anu Afolayan

Best Movie East Africa- Click Click Bang – Philip Karanja Njenga

Best Movie West Africa- Brotherhood – Jade Osiberu

Best Movie Southern Africa- Jewel – Elvis Chucks

Best Supporting Actress In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series- Four Four Forty Four – Efe Irele

Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series) – Gacal – Abdisattar Ahmed

Best Actress In A Comedy/TV Series – Promasidor – Selina – Bimbo Ademoye

Best Actor In A Comedy Drama, Movie Or TV Series – Inside Life – Samuel Perry ‘Broda Shaggi’

Best Actress In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series – Man of God – Osas Ighodaro

Best Actor In A Drama, Movie Or TV Series – Brotherhood – Tobi Bakre

Multichoice Talent Factory Award – Leaked

Best Original Drama Series – Ricordi

Best Original Comedy Series – Njoro Wa Uba

Best Original Telenovela – Mpali

Best Unscripted Original – King Bugar

2023 Industry Merit Award – Patience Ozokwor 

2023 Trailblazer Award – Angel Onyigwe

Best Dressed(Male) – Enioluwa Adeoluwa

Best Dressed (Female) – Beauty Etsanyi Tukura

Best Director Movie – Brotherhood – Loukman Ali

Best Overall Movie- Anikulapo – Kunle Afolayan