The 12th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) held in Lagos was not only about fashion and award ceremonies. A deeply emotional moment emerged when the event paid tribute to movie stars who passed away in the past year. A video capturing this tribute has since gone viral, showing the names of deceased entertainment figures appearing sequentially on a large stage screen as a poignant song played in the background.
Late Stars Honored at AMVCA 2026
The tribute included notable names such as Allwell Ademola, Odira Nwobu, Aunty Ajara, Oby Kechere, Segun Remi (Chief Kanran), Bamidele Oluwatopesan Okemesi, Tolami Akintunde, Solomon Akiyesi, and Kayode Peters, among others. These individuals had made significant contributions to Nollywood before their untimely deaths.
Legit.ng previously reported that Nollywood was thrown into mourning following the death of actress Oby Kechere, famous for her role as Ms Koi Koi in the hit comedy film Aki na Ukwa. The Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) announced her passing on Friday, May 1, 2026, via its official Instagram page.
Actress Allwell Ademola's death in December 2025 also deeply shook the movie industry. She succumbed to a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of impactful performances. Her colleague, Rotimi Salami, later released a joint movie they had worked on before her tragic demise.
Netizens React to Emotional Tribute
The video of the tribute stirred strong emotions among viewers. Many took to social media to express their grief and pay respects to the departed stars. Below are some of the reactions:
- AdesayoOmodunbi: "This is so emotional to watch! May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace."
- Mr. B: "So emotional… When I saw TEMISAN OKOMI on the screen, that was when I asked again, ‘this egbon don die truly’? May God accept their souls."
- ‘deola: "The way everyone screamed when they showed Allwell Ademola’s name! These are the names of the people that have died in the last one year in Nollywood. Heartbreaking."
- SoftLiferoe: "Is until I saw Okemesi’s name I knew that it’s a list of late people. Omo, they’re much oo. May their souls rest in peace."
- KolapoTimi8898: "They should be posting their pictures together with names."
Kanayo O. Kanayo Condemns Xenophobia at AMVCA 2026
In a related development, veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo received the Industry Merit Award alongside his colleague Sola Sobowale at the 12th AMVCA. During his acceptance speech, he delivered a powerful message condemning xenophobic attacks in South Africa. He stated, "Let us lend our voices against xenophobia in South Africa. We are not happy. As Africans, we cannot continue running from Africa."
The 12th AMVCA thus served as a platform not only for celebration but also for remembrance and advocacy, leaving a lasting impact on attendees and viewers alike.
