African stars Tems, Wizkid, and Mental Health advocate Sitawa Wafulu, were announced winners at the 2022 BET Awards which was held on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at the Microsoft Theatre, Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Fireboy DML performs onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Pheelz attends the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Fireboy DML performs onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)

The annual melting pot of black culture and entertainment celebrated talent and culture from across all corners of the world.

Tems, who was nominated across three categories — Best International Act, Best Collaboration, and Best New Artiste — was announced the winner in two of the categories. The multi-genre star, who made history on Sunday as the first African woman to win the Best International Award beat her Nigerian contemporary, Fireboy DML; South African sensation, Major League DJZ; British rap queen, Little Simz; Congolese star, Fally Ipupa; French “Solaar,” Dinos; Award-winning British rapper and lyricist, Dave; Cameroonian-French singer, Tayc and Brazilian sensation, Ludmilla who were also nominated for the category.

Receiving her award, she said, “Thank you so much for this, thank you so much. It is an honour, this is my first award show that I’m winning something.” The 27-year-old also won the Best Collaboration Award alongside music legends Wizkid and Justin Bieber, for the global-chart-topping masterpiece, “Essence”.

Scoring a different first, Fireboy DML had the first-ever African performance on the BET stage. The star set the stage ablaze with his fan-favourite, “Peru” and all-new single, “Playboy”.

“The 2022 BET Awards was filled with many proud moments. Cultures biggest night was a true display of our rich and colourful diversity,” said Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Paramount Africa and Peer Lead BET International. “It was such an honour to not only celebrate all nominees and winners, but to also experience their amazing ingenuity and power of creativity. I say a hearty congratulation to all nominees, winners and honorees for the well deserved recognition.”

For her outstanding work with mental health in Africa, Kenya’s Sitawa Wafula was recognised as the Global Good Honouree. Past recipients of this Award include Brazilian

activist and writer Djamila Ribeiro, French social justice activist Assa Traoré, and artist and philanthropist Akon.

The night also included a star-studded tribute to Sean “Diddy” Combs who was honored with the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, making the show once again the #1 trending topic on Twitter.

Other significant winners at the Awards include, Jazmine Sullivan (Best Female R&B/Pop Artist), Megan Thee Stallion (Best Female Hip Hop Artist), Kendrick Lamar (Best Male Hip Hop Artist), Latto (Best New Artist), The Weeknd (Best male R&B/Pop Artist), Marsai Martin (Youngstars Award), Naomi Osaka (Sportswoman of the Year Award) and Stephen Curry (Sportsman of the Year Award).

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Sitawa Wafula attends the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Fireboy DML attends the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)

Today, BET International announced Kenyan mental health advocate Sitawa Wafula will be honored with the Global Good Award as part of the “BET Awards” 2022.

The Global Good Award is BET International’s recognition of global celebrities and public figures who use their platform for social responsibility, goodness, and commitment to the welfare of the global Black community. Past Global Good honorees include Brazilian activist and writer Djamila Ribeiro, French social justice activist Assa Traoré, and artist and philanthropist Akon.

Wafula is a blogger and activist who started the first free mental health support line in Kenya. The impact of her blog posts got her a seat on the stakeholder forum that audited mental health care in Kenya (Read Report), and the National Committee that developed the Kenya Mental Health Policy (2015-2030). Her blog also won a Google Award (2014) for its consistency and authenticity on matters mental health.

In 2013, she founded My Mind My Funk (MMMF) as an extension of her blog and ran it as a resource hub that provided mental health information and support. Her multifaceted approach to addressing mental health issues led to her recognition as a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Champion by the Ministry of Health, Kenya. Internationally, she is a Senior Fellow at Aspen Institute’s New Voices Fellowship and a member of Africa Europe Foundation’s Strategic Group on Health.

“The silence and stigma around mental health has unfortunately been part of the African, and subsequently the Black Community’s culture. By putting a global spotlight on mental health, BET is paving the way for these conversations to move from taboo topics that are not talked about in our culture to conversations we can have on the dinner table. By recognizing me and the work I have done so far, BET is affirming me, and those struggling with their mental health, to keep talking about their personal experiences. This recognition is also a testimony for all the female African innovators who have solutions for their communities but are afraid to bring them to light because of the statistics and factors that do not favor female innovators,” says Wafula.

“We are proud to honor Sitawa Wafula with the 2022 BET International Global Good Award and spotlight the critical work she’s doing around mental health awareness in African communities,” said Monde Twala, SVP/GM, Paramount Africa & Peer Lead BET International. “We’re continuing BET’s legacy of recognizing inspiring Black men and women who have touched lives through their work and contributed to the progress and upliftment of the global Black community.

Hosted by Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and philanthropist Taraji P. Henson, “BET Awards” 2022 will air LIVE Sunday, June 26 on BET at 8 pm ET/ PT from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Internationally, the show will air on BET Africa, BET France and will be available to watch on My5 and Sky On-Demand in the UK, as well as BET Pluto in the UK and Brazil.

For the latest “BET Awards” 2022 news and updates, including details on audience selection and eligibility, please visit BET.com/bet-awards.

Soon-to-launch non-profit photography empowerment initiative, ProjectX is set to inspire and elevate the minds of the next generation of photographers through a series of expert-led panel discussions, masterclasses, and one-on-one mentorship sessions to be held from Monday, June 20th to Saturday, June 25th, 2022.

Founded by photography bigwigs, Aham Ibeleme (Aham Ibeleme Studios), Emmanuel Oyeleke (EOP studios), and Yagazie Eguare (Gazmadu Studios), the ProjectX initiative was conceived to celebrate ten years of excellence, growth, transformation, relevance, and impact in the photography industry and Nigeria at large.

The 6-day event will feature intriguing panel sessions as well as exclusive workshop sessions strategically designed to empower their business to thrive in the current climate. All registered participants will also be granted the opportunity to attend a private exhibition of the curators’ body of work in photography, and will also get the unique opportunity to network, apply for one-on-one mentorship sessions and pitch their photography business ideas for possible funding/support.

The event also provides unrivalled opportunities for partner organisations and sponsors to contribute to business development in the nation while providing their business with the visibility they need to connect with a wider range of creatives across the continent. Their unique contributions will better position these entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace in Nigeria, Africa and across the globe.

The event is created for accomplished and up-and-coming photographers with very little experience, as well as art and photography lovers to come and join in the artistic feast at the ProjectX event. Those who are unable to join the event due to registration closure are encouraged to follow the event and post event updates through their social media platform @projectx_collective on Instagram.

Trying to plan the perfect family time with kids this June? Nickelodeon most definitely has you covered! With brand new episodes of all your favourite shows and more, it only makes sense to schedule your family time around Nickelodeon’s catalogue of quality offerings this month. And if you’re simply looking to spice up the kids’ TV breaks with a buffet serving of premium entertainment that leaves them reeling with laughter and their hearts full of joy, then you’re not left out either. All through June, Nickelodeon will be glad to share babysitting duties with you. And now, real quick, here’s a rundown of some shows to watch out for this month:

OVERLORD AND THE UNDERWOODS: Immerse yourself in the topsy-turvy life of the Underwoods, a typical family gone crazy, as they attempt to contain the foaming broth of trouble that is their alien (literally) relative, who goes by the name of Overlord, aka the second most wanted villain in the whole galaxy. Join the Overlord as he navigates his new life on Earth with the help of his constantly dazed human relatives — on weekdays from June 6 – 17 at 6:30 pm WAT.

THE PATRICK STAR SHOW: You can never get enough of the whimsical with Patrick – your favourite starfish turned talk show host – in this rib-bursting, non-stop carousel of fun. Featuring Patrick engaging his entire family (and yours) in an eccentric selection of 11 minute episodes, The Patrick Star Show will be airing on weekdays at 4:20 pm WAT, from June 13 – 22.

NICKY, RICKY, DICKY & DAWN: A show that stars TV’s most loved quadruplets, is the right kind of vibe for your laid-back moments. Get into leisure mode with the dynamic

atmosphere that this foursome creates in their never-ending conflicts and resolutions — available for viewing from June 20 – 24 at 6:30 pm WAT.

HENRY DANGER: For fans that hope to one day become superhero sidekicks, we highly recommend a more-than-average dose of Henry Danger to translate your dreams into reality. From June 27 to July 1, we’re pulling off a Holiday Stunt, so be sure to join Captain Man and Kid Danger on their world-saving adventures on weekdays at 6:30 pm WAT.

WARPED!: Beloved head geek and manager at a popular comic book store, Milo, is thrown into a very odd equation when his boss hires Ruby, who is worlds apart from him. But despite their differences, they team up with two friends to create the next great graphic novel. Don’t miss out on a good laugh as Warped! will be showing on weekdays from May 30 – June 15 at 5:40 pm WAT.

DANGER FORCE: If your idea is to kick back a bit with family this month, then you can’t go wrong with new episodes of Danger Force. Let the kids have a little vicarious fun as they join Chapa, Miles, Mika, and Bose as recruits in Captain Man’s Swellview Academy for the Gifted. Schwarz will be there, too, as the show will be available on weekdays from May 23 – June 1 at 5:15 pm WAT.

This June, tune in and stay tuned to Nickelodeon (DStv Channel 305) for all the quirkiest shows and newest episodes from Nickelodeon! For even more fun for the kids, be sure to also keep an eye on NickToons (DStv Channel 308) and Nick Jnr (DStv channel 307) for the very best in entertainment for families.

Following its sponsorship of Team Nigeria at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, leading malt drink, Amstel Malta Ultra has further strengthened its position as a firm supporter of sports in the country with its sponsorship of the 8th Okpekpe 10km International Road Race which took place in Benin City, Edo State on Saturday, May 28, 2022.

The premium beverage brand’s sponsorship of the thrilling road race is part of its commitment to initiating quality interactions and inspiring healthier communities through sporting activities in Nigeria.

During the event, Amstel Malta Ultra, presented as the Official Malt Drink of the Race, provided much-needed vitality and motivation for scores of athletes from across the continent who competed to earn a share in the N60million cash reward for top performers.

Amstel Malta Ultra Brand Manager, Tobiloba Obawede said, “It is an honour to once again serve as the official beverage for this auspicious event, and it is our joy to see people in the host communities come out in numbers to show that they care about their fitness and general wellbeing by participating in the race.

“We have been intentional in championing healthy living among the people and we are encouraged by participants’ trust in the message we propagate. Amstel Malta Ultra is committed to sponsoring even more local and international sporting competitions whilst providing the required vitality to build healthier communities.”

Conceptualised to promote long-distance endurance-related races for athletes, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race is a brainchild of Pamodzi Sports Marketing in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Since its launch in 2020, Amstel Malta Ultra has achieved acclaimed recognition among consumers as a drink for health-conscious individuals and fitness enthusiasts. The beverage brand’s ‘no added sugar’ feature makes it the choice drink for athletes and people in the sports industry.

With its sponsorship of the 8th Okpekpe International 10km Road Race and its previous editions, Amstel Malta Ultra reiterates its commitment to reviving healthy lifestyle activities, uniting Nigerians through sports, and empowering athletes with premium vitality

Adetayo Erinle, a representative of faith-based non-governmental organization Tabitha Cumi, says the recently completed school project in the Kuchiko-Ija region of Niger State, Nigeria will give over 450 underserved children access to quality education.

The school building project, which was commissioned on Wednesday, 18th May, 2022 was built by the Tabitha Cumi Foundation and supported by the Floki Community.

“We are delighted to announce the completion, commissioning and handing over of the Kuchiko-Ija School project to the Niger State Ministry of Education. We believe it will give the children in the community access to quality education in a conducive learning environment,” said the representative of the Tabitha Cumi Foundation.

Of the project, Floki representative “B” (as he is fondly called within the community) says, “Charity and real world impact are core pillars of Floki. We believe in the power of education for development in crypto and in the world at large. To this end, we set out to support the establishment of schools in some underdeveloped communities such as Kuchiko-Ija. Our goal is to build a school that provides an enabling learning environment for the children to be supported academically and intellectually such that they are able to compete with their peers across the world.”

The school project commissioning was attended by the Permanent Secretary Niger State Ministry of Education, the Tafa Area Council Chairman, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, representatives of the Suleja Emirate Council and others.

The Kuchiko-Ija region of Niger State is a community desperately in need of educational facilities. The completed school building features six blocks of furnished classrooms and toilets, a technical block equipped with a computer laboratory, a well stocked library and administrative office, a well equipped playground, a borehole to ensure consistent, potable water, and a gatehouse. It is also completely fenced to ensure the security of staff and students of the school.

The project, which commenced on January 5th, 2022, is a welcome development to the people of Kuchiko-Ija who hitherto had to manage a non-conducive structure built by community efforts. The Floki-sponsored school will begin operating soon and cater to 450 children some of whom are currently out of school, or have to endure long daily journeys to access basic education. The ultra modern structure is expected to make a significant

impact on the lives of the children in Kuchiko-Ija and afford them real life academic opportunities that would have otherwise been inaccessible.

Fondly described as “the cryptocurrency of the people,” Floki sets itself apart not only through its unique PlayToEarn NFT gaming metaverse (Valhalla), but also its charitable initiatives that make real world impact. Learn more at floki.com.

The eight-day-long African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) celebration was definitely not one to miss. Particularly, the main awards night was filled with glitz, glamour, teary, and funny moments as contributors to the continent’s growing content industry were celebrated for the effort put into entertaining Africans over the last two years.

The Awards’ headline sponsor, Amstel Malta, definitely took things up a notch this year and made sure no segment of the film industry was left unrecognised as the brand purposefully spotlighted talents across new and old Award categories, including;

1. Best Online Social Content Creator: A totally new category at the AMVCA, this Award was added to celebrate the pure genius of social online content creators. Mr Funny (aka Oga Sabinus), the creator of ‘Something Hooge’ won this award and perhaps many more hearts as he accepted his award with a heartfelt speech and humility that definitely resonated with audiences across the continent.

2. Best Dressed: As always, the AMVCA red carpet was filled with lengthy trains, giant jewels, and extroverts uniquely looking to make their mark. The high number of eye-catching looks meant that breaking from the norm was the only way to truly stand out. Here are some of those who truly won the public’s heart with their stunning looks.

· Male: Media personality and fashion enthusiast; Denola Grey, Nollywood sensation; Deyemi Okanlawon and Mawuli Gavor, definitely understood the assignment and came looking all dapper, emerging as finalists in this category. Denola Grey, however, carted away the award and the N500,000 monetary prize in his elegant 3-piece suit creatively put together by Mai Atafo.

· Female: Osas Ighodaro clinched the award with her gorgeous grey and gold bedazzled masterpiece by Veekee James. Other nominees that stunned were Bimbo Ademoye in a timeless red piece by Somobysomo and Bisola Aiyeola in a vibrant outfit also designed by Somobysomo.

3. Trailblazer: Dedicated to celebrating young and upcoming acts in the industry, this award was won by actor, producer and casting director, Teni Aladese. Making the win even sweeter, Amstel Malta threw in a monetary prize of N1 million. The height of this category was having Hollywood stars, Tasha Smith (Actor, Director and Producer) and Sidra Simth (Producer and Writer) present the Award.

Aladese’s night got even more memorable as Tasha Smith pledged an additional sum of $2000 to the winner as well as taking her through a fully funded course in her acting school in Hollywood.

4. Best Overall Movie: Izu Ojukwu, Okey Ogunjiofor and the entire ‘Amina’ crew bagged this Award win for the outstanding work in retelling the historic story of Queen Amina of Zaria. Regaling us with stories of freezing Jos weather and years of process, the entire team had us beaming as they received their Award.

5. Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series (Igbo): Nne-ka by Uche Nnanna Maduka bagged this award. This is a new award category sponsored by Amstel Malta, to reward the hard work of producers of an indigenous movie in Igbo language.

In addition to the award endowments and sponsorships, we would be remise not to mention how Amstel Malta granted exclusive front row seats and wholesome experiences to the Fan Reporters – Ekene Nna-Udosen and Deborah Oguike – at the 8th edition of the AMVCA. In addition to the Fan Reporters challenge, the premium malt brand also provided opportunities for fans and consumers across the socio-economic spectrum to experience the glitz, glam and stars first-hand.

For more highlights on the 8th AMVCA edition, follow Amstel Malta on social media (@AmstelMalta) and follow conversations using the hashtag #AmstelMaltaAMVCA8.