AMVCA 2026: Moment Allwell Ademola, Odira Nwobu, Aunty Ajara, Other Late Stars Were Honoured
- A video showing how late Nollywood stars were remembered at the AMVCA captured attention online
- Late stars like Allwell Ademola, Odira Nwobu, and Aunty Ajara were among those who were honoured
- The video stirred up emotions as netizens paid tributes to Nollywood stars who passed in the last year
- In a chat with Legit.ng, actor Jide Awobona shared his experience at the 2026 AMVCA
Apart from the fashion and award ceremony at the recently concluded 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) in Lagos, an emotional moment when movie stars who passed away in the last year also surfaced online.
A video from the event on May 9, 2026, captured the moment names of deceased entertainment figures sequentially appeared on a large stage screen as a song played in the background.
Source: Instagram
The likes of Allwell Ademola, Odira Nwobu, Aunty Ajara, Oby Kechere, Segun Remi (Chief Kanran), Bamidele Oluwatopesan Okemesi, Tolami Akintunde, Solomon Akiyesi, Kayode Peters and others were among those who were honoured.
Legit.ng recalls reporting that Nollywood was thrown into mourning over the passing of actress Oby Kechere, famous for her character as Ms Koi Koi in the hit comedy film Aki na Ukwa.
The news of her death was announced by the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) on May 1, 2026, via its official Instagram page.
Source: Facebook
Actress Allwell Ademola's death in December 2025 was also one of the tragic passings that shook the movie industry for weeks.
She passed away due to a heart attack and was survived by her legacy of impactful performances and contributions to Nollywood.
Her colleague, Rotimi Salami, would go on to release a joint movie they had worked on before her tragic demise.
The X post showing the moment late stars were honoured at the 12th AMVCA is below:
Reactions as AMVCA honours late movie stars
Reacting, some netizens shared how emotional it was for them watching the video as they penned tributes to the late movie stars. Legit.ng compiled some of the reactions. Read them below:
Adesayo Omodunbi commented:
"This is so emotional to watch! May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace
Mr. B reacted said:
"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 said:
"The way everyone scream 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 wrote:
"Is until I saw Okemesi name I know that it’s list of late people Omoooo They’re much oo may their soul rest in peace."
KolapoTimi8898 commented:
"They should be posting their pictures together with names."
Actor Jide Awobona shares experience at AMVCA
Following an attempt to reach out to Jide Awobona for his experience at the AMVCA, the Nollywood actor opened up about misplacing his phone.
"My phone was stolen at the AMVCA; I just retrieved my line," he said.
AMVCA 2026: Kanayo condemns xenophobic attacks
Legit.ng previously reported that actor Kanayo O. Kanayo was awarded the Industry Merit Award alongside his female colleague Sola Sobowale at the 12th edition of the AMVCA.
During his acceptance speech, he delivered a bold message as he called for an end to xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying people from the continent were not happy.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
