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AFRIMA unveils multi-talented entertainer, FalzTheBahdGuy, French-Senegalese Actress, Liliane Maroune, as Hosts of 9th Edition

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The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has officially unveiled Nigerian rapper and actor, FalzTheBahdGuy and French-Senegalese actress and media personality, Liliane Maroune as hosts of the 9th edition of the awards.



The 9th AFRIMA, organised by the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA in conjunction and the African Union Commission in partnership with the Lagos State Government (Official Host City), is slated to hold from January 7–11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.



With this appointment, FalzTheBahdGuy becomes the second Nigerian, after music legend 2Baba, to host the prestigious AFRIMA stage, following 2Baba’s historic role as co-host of the inaugural edition in 2014.



Over the years, AFRIMA has featured a distinguished list of hosts drawn from across the continent and the diaspora including 2Baba (Nigeria) and Maryse Acotie (Togo) at the inaugural 2014 edition; DNG (Kenya) and Aurélie Eliam (Cote d’Ivoire) in 2015; Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Bonang Matheba (South Africa) and Ika De Jong (DRC) in 2016; Akon (Senegal/USA) and Sophy Aiida (Cameroon) in 2017; Michael Blackson (Ghana/USA), Pearl Thusi (South Africa) and Anita Erskine (Ghana) in 2018; Pearl Thusi and Eddie Kadi (DRC/UK) in 2019 and 2021; and Ahmed Sylla (France/Senegal), Sophy Aiida, and Pearl Thusi at the 8th edition held in January 2023.



FalzTheBahdGuy, a multiple award winner, is one of Africa’s most respected figures in music and film. He is known for his intelligent lyrics, confident stage presence, and powerful social commentary. Beyond music, FalzTheBahdGuy has built a strong acting career and received praise for his roles in popular films such as New Money, Brotherhood, 10 Days in Sun City, and Chief Daddy.



Liliane Maroune, a French-Senegalese actress, model, and TV host, brings elegance, global appeal, and a strong African identity to the AFRIMA stage. Maroune, who also has Lebanese and Mauritanian ancestry, is well known for her roles in West African television series, including Myriam in Emprises and Aissatou in Coeurs Brisés. She is also popular for hosting the talk show Wakhtane Ak Lily, where she interviews leading African creatives. Her growing influence across Africa and Europe positions her as a fitting co-host for the awards.



Speaking on the choice of hosts, Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA Regional Director for Central Africa, said, “FalzTheBahdGuy brings intelligence, strong ideas, and a powerful African voice that connects with both young and old audiences. Liliane embodies elegance, diversity, and the contemporary African woman with international influence. Together, they clearly show the strength and richness of African music and culture. They both understand Africa, speak for Africa, and live the African experience in their own ways.”



The build-up to the 9th AFRIMA has been electric, with music fans across the world still voting for their preferred artistes in 39 categories of the awards on www.afrima.org.



The five-day event of the biggest music awards in Africa will begin with the Welcome Soirée for guests and nominees at the British Deputy High Commission House in Lagos on Wednesday, January 7. The Africa Music Business Summit will take centre stage on Thursday, January 8, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites. Music lovers across the continent are expected to throng the Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos, on Friday, January 9, for the AFRIMA Music Village.



There will be a Nominees & Industry Party on Saturday, January 10, before the Main Awards Show on Sunday, January 11, also at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites. The Red Carpet starts at 3:00 PM (WAT), and the awards ceremony will be broadcast live to more than 84 countries, ensuring the excitement reaches audiences around the world.

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“Beautiful, gorgeous, and talented” – Odunlade Adekola churns out sweet words for Eniola Ajao on her birthday

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Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola is gushing over his longtime friend and colleague, Eniola Ajao, as she turns 43 today.

Sharing photos of the celebrant, he described her as beautiful, gorgeous and talented. Odunlade prayed that her glory will shine forever, that the world will celebrate her more, and that God will bless her heart’s desires.

The married actor and father told her to keep enjoying the grace of God.

“Happy birthday to beautiful, Gorgeous,
talented @eniola_ajao
I pray your glory, we shine forever.
The whole world will celebrate you more.
God will bless your heart’s desires in Jesus name.
Keep enjoying the Grace of GOD”.

Last year, Eniola had celebrated Odunlade, expressing excitement for him and his project. She called for people to support him and his talent, describing him as a humble man. She praised him for his dedication to the industry and for always showing up for everyone.

Following the burial, she had arrested a blogger known as Adabasioni for making derogatory and unfounded claims against her over her appearance at the burial.

Speaking on it, in an Instagram post, she explained that she told him to provide evidence of what he said about her, and he had none, so she ensured he was detained in Ikoyi prison for two weeks. The Yoruba actress made it known that she was now ready to go to the full extent of the law with anybody.

At Odunlade’s father’s burial last year, in a viral clip, Ajao, was captured greeting his wife at the event, with a fake smile.

Over the years, there has been rumors of an affair between Odunlade and Eniola, due to their close friendship, but it hasn’t been confirmed.

Last year, while celebrating Eniola’s birthday, Odunlade had churned out beautiful words to her, gushing over her outstanding beauty. In a pre-birthday post, Odunlade had described Eniola as a wonderful script interpreter and prayed for God’s blessings on her.

For her 40th birthday, Odunlade surprised Eniola and further made her cry with the special band he hired to surprise her and her twin sister. He shared a clip of the moment on his Instagram page and prayed that she would continue to enjoy their day.

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“You’re an incredible human being” – Adesua Etomi reveals why she loves Bisola Aiyeola

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Nollywood actress Adesua Etomi has revealed why she loves her colleague, Bisola Aiyeola, as she turns 40.

On her Instagram page, she described Bisola as an incredible human being, noting how God really did his big one when He created her. Adesua said the former reality star is kind, giving, honest and rides hard for the people she loves.

Appreciating her for her friendship, she promises to cherish her forever.

“Bisola @iambisola, I love you. You are so easy to love. There are many reasons why I should love you, but they aren’t the reason I love you. I just love you. You don’t have to do anything. It just is.

You are an incredible human being. God really did his big one when he created you. You are kind, giving, honest, and you ride hard for the people you love. Don’t even get me started on how insånely gifted you are.

It’s here, and it’s going to blow your mind. The lord will do exceedingly, abundantly above all you ask or think. He will clothe you in his favour and shine his face upon you. He will envelop you in his love and shield you. Your name will be mentioned for good in important rooms. You are blessed in your going out and in your coming in in Jesus name.

Thank you for being my friend and sister.
I cherish you”.

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Trump Demands ‘Immediate’ Greenland Talks, Rules Out Force

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President Donald Trump demanded immediate talks on acquiring Greenland in a hardline speech at Davos Wednesday, but said that while the United States possessed “unstoppable force” it would not use it to take the Arctic island from Denmark.

Trump’s quest to take control of Greenland, which he said was needed for national and international security, dominated his address to the World Economic Forum as he returned for the first time in six years.

“It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice,” Trump told a packed audience of global political and business leaders in the Swiss ski resort who queued for more than an hour to listen.

“That’s the reason I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States.”

Denmark has “a choice,” he said.

“You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember. A strong and secure America means a strong NATO.”

But Trump appeared to rule out the threat of military action against fellow NATO member Denmark — which he branded “ungrateful” — that has threatened to tear the transatlantic alliance apart.

“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable, but I won’t do that,” Trump said, adding that it was probably the “biggest statement I made.”

“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”

Trump however lambasted Europe on a number of fronts from Greenland to tariffs and the economy, saying it was “not heading in the right direction”.



‘Rupture’


Trump’s claims over mineral-rich Greenland have completely overshadowed the meeting in Davos, where he landed by helicopter, stepping onto a red carpet laid in the snow.

He arrived some two hours behind schedule, after an electrical issue earlier forced Air Force One to turn back to Washington and switch planes.

But in a sign of the dissent against Trump, the words “No Kings” were dug into the snow overlooking mountain-fringed Davos overnight, referring to a US protest slogan.

Europe and Canada had earlier closed ranks against what they view as a threat to the US-led global order from Trump’s territorial ambitions over semi-autonomous Greenland.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney warned at Davos on Tuesday of a “rupture” to the US-led system, in a speech which won a standing ovation.

NATO chief Mark Rutte told Davos on Wednesday that “thoughtful diplomacy” was needed, as Trump’s claims over Greenland provoke an existential crisis for the group.

“There are these tensions at the moment, there’s no doubt,” said Rutte, who has been dubbed the “Trump whisperer” for his ability to deal with the US president.

Rutte also pushed back against Trump after he said he doubted NATO would come to the aid of the United States if asked. “I tell him, yes they will,” Rutte said.


‘So unfairly’


Trump however repeated his doubts on NATO during his speech, saying Washington was treated “so unfairly.”

France called meanwhile Wednesday for a NATO exercise in Greenland “and is ready to contribute to it”, French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said.

Macron had warned at Davos on Tuesday against US attempts to “subordinate Europe”, and blasted Trump’s “unacceptable” threats to impose tariffs on allies over Greenland.

Europe has threatened countermeasures after Trump turned up the pressure by threatening levies of up to 25 percent on eight European countries for backing Denmark.

Greenland’s prime minister said Tuesday that his tiny population of 57,000 must be prepared for military force.

On Thursday, meanwhile, Trump is set to formally announce the first charter of his so-called “Board of Peace,” a body for resolving international conflicts with a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership.

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