Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, today, Sunday, August. 31, formally accepted the hosting rights for the 2025 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, marking the 17th edition of the prestigious pan-Nigeria, annual event.

The presentation took place at the Lagos House, Marina, where the governor received a delegation of Nollywood stars including Segun Arinze, Biola Adebayo, Femi Branch, Wole Ojo, and Scarlet Gomez, along with BON Awards founder, Seun Oloketuyi, and the Executive Director, Feranmi Olaoye.

The event, which was also witnessed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Toke Benson- Awoyinka, highlights the Lagos State Government’s commitment to supporting the creative industry.

During the presentation, the governor commended the organisers for their ambitious plan to attempt a Guinness World Record for the longest red carpet, spanning an impressive 8 kilometers.
In his address, Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on the importance of government support for the creative sector, beyond just financial sponsorship. “Sometimes, it’s difficult to quantify what we do, but we know too well that the industry needs support. The sector needs to be elevated and encouraged.”

He added, “Everything that we’re doing should be thought of around the benefits that come, not necessarily to us as a government, but, in a way that people will appreciate. It’s certainly not about us, it’s not about the ministry; it is about the people, that’s the whole context for us.

“We are also very intentional about helping the creative industry give opportunities and voices to the voiceless that may not get the opportunity to be heard. More importantly, also help in terms of employment generation and wealth creation, ensuring that we can support a huge demographic of young people,” the governor added, linking the vision to the state’s broader economic agenda.

“For us, it’s really not just about supporting or sponsoring; it’s more around ensuring that the sector has the kind of support that is needed.”
In his statement, Oloketuyi, reiterated that while BON Awards began in Lagos, in the last 17 years, it has visited all six geo-political zones of the country and has yet to return to Lagos. He shared that the awards has been hosted by states like Kwara, Kano, Imo, Oyo, Osun, Kogi, Ondo and more.

Billed to hold on Sunday, December 14 at the Federal Palace Hotel, V/I, Lagos, the event promises to add even more colour to the annual Detty December season thatbhas become Lagos’ flagship Yuletide celebration.

The Best of Nollywood Awards, founded by Seun Oloketuyi, is a celebrated platform that honours outstanding achievements in the Nigerian film industry. The decision to host the 2025 edition in Lagos is a strategic move, solidifying the state’s status as the heart of Nigeria’s creative economy and providing a grand stage for the industry’s biggest night.

Tiwa Savage, the award-winning Nigerian singer, has spoken out about challenges in the music industry, describing it as “filled with darkness.”

During an Instagram Live session, the You 4 Me crooner said her faith in God has helped her remain grounded and prevented her from “falling” despite the negative influences she has observed.

She explained:
“This industry is filled with so much darkness. I wish you guys knew, so much darkness. But I thank God that I’ve kept my eyes on Him. I haven’t fallen.”

Savage also addressed reactions to her latest project This One Is Personal, revealing that some critics dismissed the album because it lacked “big-name features.”

According to her, she intentionally chose to create a deeply personal record without club hits, focusing instead on authenticity. She emphasized that she values having genuine supporters more than having a massive fan base.

She said:
“When I put out the track list of my album, I saw so many people saying I didn’t feature the big names from America or the A-listers.”

“They just automatically concluded that because I don’t have those features on the album, it’s not going to be good.”

“I wish people understood music the way I understand it. Yes, I don’t have huge cosigns, and I wasn’t actively seeking them. All I have is all I have, isn’t it?”

“Honestly, having you guys is enough for me. Sometimes, like they say, you don’t need a lot of people, you just need the right people. I don’t need millions of fans, I just need the right ones.”

Reflecting on the album’s journey, she disclosed that it took more than two years to complete and involved many setbacks, doubts, and discouragement from those who felt a vulnerable project would not succeed commercially.

“There were so many hurdles I wish I could tell you guys about—the fights, the challenges, the people who doubted me and told me that doing this type of vulnerable record wouldn’t work, that nobody would listen or care.”

“People just want to hear gbedu, bangers, and club records. I don’t have any club records, and they said it wasn’t going to work, that people wouldn’t stream it.”

This is not the first time Tiwa Savage has raised concerns about the music scene. Back in January, she had described the industry as being “filled with dangerous sharks.”

Grammy-nominated Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, on Sunday tied the knot with his wife, Chioma, at their white wedding in Miami, United States.

In his wedding speech, Davido poured out his love for Chioma, calling her his “love, peace, and home.”

He said, “Chioma, I have been on many stages, but this is the nervous I have ever been. You are my love, my peace, my home. You came into my life quietly and because the most loudest and beautiful part of it. You saw the real me, the me the world doesn’t see and you still choose me.”

The ceremony followed the couple’s traditional wedding in Lagos in June 2024 and a court wedding in March 2023.